Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia is intensifying tourism promotion in countries seen as alternative markets such as ASEAN member nations, China, India and Arab states which are not directly affected by the global financial crisis.

"We are increasing tourism promotion in ASEAN, China, India, Russia, and Middle East nations to anticipate a drop in the number of European tourists and to achieve the target of nine million tourists this year," the tourism and creative economic ministry's tourism marketing director general, Esthy Reko Astuti, said here on Saturday.

Indonesia has been exploring new tourism markets such as the Philippines, Thailand and African countries, she said.

The tourism ministry hopes to attract at least 3.5 million tourists from ASEAN, including 1.75 million from Singapore, 1.4 million from Malaysia, and 315,000 from the Philippines.

"Economic experts have predicted stable and high economic growth in ASEAN member states, so it will be our opportunity amidst the sluggish economy globally," she stated. (*/DWA)


: Dewa Sudiarta Wiguna

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