Chinese Tourists In Bali Now Up To 13,28 Percent

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - The number of Chinese tourists in Bali has now reached 158,030 in the last eight months, January-August 2011.

Their number has increased 13.28 percent from last year's 139,501 same period.

"Most of them came straight to  Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali, from their country, and only seven arrived by yachts, " said the Head of Central Bureau Statistic of Bali, Ir Gede Suarsa, MSI in Denpasar, Monday.

He said last year 196,925 Chinese tourists came to the island paradise. Their number had decreased by 4.48 pct from last year's  206.151.

China is Bali's the third biggest tourist suppliers following Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, France, England, Germany and Singapore.

Gede Suarsa added that along with the rise of the Chinese economy and the activation of China-Bali direct flights, more Chinese tourists will be coming to Bali.

There is actually an emotional connection between Bali and China. It happened since they started to work together in the 12th century. A good cooperation between the two countries is reflected through  arts and  architecture style of China nowadays.

Moreover, Chinese traditional money (pis hole) is still used in various Hindu ceremonies in Bali.

"The good cooperation between Bali and China is hoped to produce more Chinese tourists in the future," said Gede Suarsa.

China has given 8.56 percent from the total of its 1.84 million tourists in the first eight month in 2011. The number has increased by 9.97 percent from last year's 1.67 million same period.(*)