(9/9/2012)
Domestic tourist visiting attractions across the country during the just completed Idul Fitri holiday grew dramatically, providing much needed income to the local economies during the traditional downturn in foreign visitors of the fasting month.
Bisnis.com reports that tourism objects across the nation experienced a minimal 25% increase in visitors over the holiday while foreign visitors to these locales decreased in the month of June and June.
According to the Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, her office noted increases in visitor numbers from mid-July until mid-August at main tourist attractions, primarily in Jakarta, West Java and Central Java.
“Beginning from the Ragunan Zoo (Jakarta) to Mini-Indonesia (TMII), Jaya Ancol Dreamland, Taman Safari, Borobudur Temple, Prambanan and Candi Ratubuko – all recorded increases in visitors,” Minister Pangestu explained.
This year’s growth in domestic tourist numbers was further boosted by the coincidence of National Independence Day on August 17th with Lebaran on August 19th.
Pangestu added: “The increase is good news and reflects that the domestic market is developing nicely although there is a slowdown in the world economy. It also demonstrates increased purchasing power of the general public able to enjoy their holidays at tourist attractions signifies greater happiness among the Indonesian people during their Lebaran holidays.”
The Minister described the positive impact of domestic tourism, citing the purchase of locally made souvenirs, food and beverage, attendance at local cultural presentations by visitors to local tourist attractions.
The Minister estimates that 245 million domestic tourism trips will be taken in 2012 spending some Rp. 171.5 trillion (US$18.4 billion) in the tourism economy.
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