Indonesia targets to attract middle east's tourist

JAKARTA. Indonesia is intensifying its tourism promotional activities in the Middle East and China in an effort to attract 12 million foreign tourists this year and 20 million by 2019.

In a bid to lure international tourists from these two regions, the Indonesian government is developing special tourism destinations. As tourists coming from the Middle East are mostly Muslims, 10 provinces are now being developed as Halal tourism destinations.

Besides this, the Indonesian government is also preparing 10 tourism destinations known as the "10 New Balis." These ten new destinations are expected to become as popular as Bali, the famous Indonesian tourist resort island of Bali Province.

Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya had stated recently that the term "New Bali" was an expression that promoted new destinations to attract as many tourists as those visiting Bali Island.

The ten prioritized tourism destinations in 2016 include Lake Toba (North Sumatra), Belitung (Bangka Belitung), Tanjung Lesung (Banten), Seribu Islands (Jakarta), Borobudur Temple (Central Java), Mount Bromo (East Java), Mandalika Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara), Komodo Island (East Nusa Tenggara), Wakatobi National Park (Southeast Sulawesi), and Morotai (North Maluku).

However, both Muslim and non-Muslim tourists can choose between the two types of tourism destinations either to visit the Halal tourism destinations or the New Balis. Halal tourism is designed not only for Muslims but also for non-Muslims.

"A misunderstanding still exists regarding Halal tourism, and some people think it is meant only for Muslims as all aspects must be based on shariah. However, Halal tourism means the destination, accommodation, culinary delicacies, and tourist attractions must all be in accordance with the Halal concept," Burhasman, head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Office of West Sumatra Province, stated recently.