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THE Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism hopes that the Riau Islands Province will be able to absorb up to 3 million foreign tourists by the end of 2019.
According to the Experts Minister for Tourism Marketing & Calendar of Events, Esti Reko Astuti said the Riau Islands had received 2.3 million foreign tourist visits by October. We hope to reach 2.5 million, even 3 million.
“I appreciate the Riau Islands that have defeated Jakarta in the achievement of foreign tourists visiting. Now the Riau Islands ranks second highest in the number of foreign tourists, after Bali. On that occasion I conveyed, now the government is not only focused on the number of foreign tourists visiting, but also efforts to improve the community’s economy through tourism,” she said.
Esti Reko also mentioned that the target was only the amount. Now also how to make foreign exchange earners and added value. Increasing tourism for the community’s economy is President Joko Widodo’s policy and vision.
She hoped that various activities carried out in the Riau Islands could increase foreign tourists visiting as well as the economy of the surrounding community. Riau Islands has the potential for nature, nautical, there is also shopping.
While Acting Governor of the Riau Islands, Isdianto conveyed, the provincial government did try to make tourism as a regional economic driver. I was grateful for the increasing number of foreign tourists visiting the Riau Islands. However, he hopes the length of stay of foreign tourists in the Riau Islands can also increase.
“Currently, the length of stay for foreign tourists in the Riau Islands is only 1 to 2 days. He hopes that foreign travelers can stay there longer. I believe if tourists stay longer, it will spur the wheels of the economy, in terms of hospitality, culinary, transportation and others,” he added. [antaranews/photo special]
