REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Ministry of Tourism Affairs states that about 7.7 million foreign tourists flocking to Indonesia in the period of January to October 2014. The ministry is optimistic that the number of tourists visiting Indonesia will reach the target of 9.3 million.

"If the number of tourists grows significantly in November and December, we will achieve the target," Minister of Tourism Affairs Arif Yahya said recently. In October, the growth reached 12.34 percent.

Meanwhile, the number of domestic tourists this year reaches 251 million trips. Yahya demanded local heads to make tourism as primary industry. "It is more profitable than manufacturing," he said. 

Tourism contributes 4.01 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Based on World Economic Forum, Indonesia sits on number 70 in term of competitiveness of tourism attraction.  

Government expects the number of tourists visiting Indonesia reaches 10 million, increasing 7-8 percent, next year. They also targets domestic tourists to reach 254 million trips.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika