Bandung (Antara Bali) - Indonesia expects eight million foreign tourists to visit the country this year and contribute up to US$9 billion in foreign exchange.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced the government's plan to develop special tourist programs such as shopping festivals, nature-based exhibitions and tourist conventions, while dedicating an integrated tourism area here in Bandung on Saturday.
"Tourism plays an important role in the economic sector, which is in the midst of the current global economic uncertainty," he said before adding that domestic tourists had also contributed a lot to the national economy.
"The number of domestic tourists is expected to reach 245 million, while their expenditures run up to Rp172 trillion. Tourism has helped businesses outside hotels and restaurants to flourish in such diverse industries as fashion business, creative industry and performance arts," he claimed.
He called on big businesses to support the development of small and medium businesses as well as cooperatives by giving them an opportunity to develop their businesses at their outlets.(IGT)
