November 18, 2009 16:23 PM

Indonesian Island Targets To Attract 2.1 Million Tourists In 2010

JAKARTA, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Indonesia's Bali province set target to attract some 2.1 million tourists in 2010 compared with 1.9 million targeted this year, as the island's tourist industry is rebounding, Antara news agency reported Wednesday, citing the Head of the Bali Tourism Board Ida Bagus KADE Subiksu as saying.

"We have seen substantial growth in foreign tourist arrivals in Bali for this year," said Subiksu.

As of October 2009, the arrivals had reached 1.67 million, a 13 percent increase compared with the same period last year, Antara said.

Meanwhile the Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board IB Ngurah Wijaya, when asked to comment, responded positively by saying that the target was achievable.

"I believe that we can attract 2.1 million foreign tourists considering the island's tourist industry is already growing and rebounding," he said.

Aloysius Purwa, the chairman of the Bali branch of the Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) said he has expected health and security issues such bombings and rabies outbreaks to have little impact on the island's tourism industry.

-- BERNAMA

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