Indonesian gov targets to rope in 70,000 Indian tourists

Kolkata, Aug 18(UNI) Giving more attention to the delicate cuisines and tie up with airliners, the Indonesian Government has targeted to rope in 70,000 Indian tourists this year.

" Till June this year, 40,000 Indian tourists have so far visited our country. We have set a target of 70,000 for this year," Director General of Indonesian Tourism Thanrin Bachre said at the two-day Travel and Tourism Fair that began here today.

Addressing a press conference, Mr Bachre said making available budget hotels and the right food, the Indonesian tourism department was trying to woo more Indian tourists.

" We are making all arrangements to make available the Hyderabadi biriyani and south Indian food, while tie-ups have been made with few air carriers for cheaper trasportation of Indian tourists," he said.

Mr Bachre said there were ten Indian restaurants in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and five in the Bally island.

The volume of Indian tourists to Indonesia had increased in the recent times with setting up of few Indian industries in that country, he informed.

About 20 per cent of the Indian tourists stay in five-star hotels while the rest opt for three star accommodation or boat houses, he said.

With a 12.20 per cent growth in foreign tourists, the targeted inflow of visitors to Indonesia from other countries this year is eight billion which is expected to break the previous record of 5.3 billion registered in 2004.

Mr Bachre said Indonesia had earned five billion dollars from tourism over the past five years.

UNI