The Culture and Tourism Ministry has recorded more than 4.6 million foreign tourist arrivals between January and September of this year, up by only 1 percent from the same period last year.

Brimming with confidence, the head of data management at the ministry, Wibowo, told Antara on Monday the national target of 6.5 million arrivals remained within reach.

Wibowo said seven international airports saw a significant increase in the number of foreign tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2008, including Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport. Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport in Pekanbaru, Riau booked the biggest increase with 60.5 percent.

The ministry’s data reveals, however, eight airports, including the country’s largest airport Soekarno-Hatta, posted less arrivals in the first nine months of this year than the same period last year.

Widodo said the ministry would insist on raising the target to 7 million arrivals next year.

Source: The Jakarta Post