Foreign Tourist Arrivals Will Rise By 2 Million: Minister

Yogayakarta (Antara Bali) -- Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya has estimated that the number of foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia will increase by 2 million annually, following the extension of the free visa policy to 30 countries in June.

"It can be predicted easily. (There will be a rise of) at least 20 percent from the 10 million (targeted tourist visits for 2015); we will have 2 million more tourists," he said here on Tuesday.

According to the minister, an increase in the number of tourists will most likely be achieved as visa is one of the factors taken into consideration by foreign tourists before they travel to Indonesia.

"Thailand and Malaysia implemented the free visa policy. Despite not being too different from Indonesia in terms of natural beauty, foreign tourists choose Thailand over Indonesia," he remarked.

Tourist arrivals in Indonesia are still far less than that in Thailand, which now sees 29 million tourists, while the figure reaches 26 million per year in Malaysia, Yahya pointed out.

He affirmed that the free visa policy will raise tourist visits in Indonesia to more than those in Thailand and Malaysia.

"Also, there are many more attractive tourist destinations in Indonesia as compared to the two countries, such as the Borobudur Temple that is well known across the world," he stated.

Yahya further noted that tourism managers in Indonesia should also explore cultural similarities with other countries and present them in their concepts and services.

"As with tourists from the Middle East, Indonesia should take advantage of the cultural aspect that it is the largest Muslim country in the world," he suggested. (WDY)