Tourist arrivals reached four million as of August

Indonesia attracted 4.07 million foreign tourists over the past eight months, which was up 12.73 percent from the same period last year, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) says.

Previously the government announced it aimed to get seven million tourists to visit Indonesia this year.

The total number of foreign tourist arrivals at all official entry points reached around 599,500 in August, up 20.88 percent from 496,000 in August 2007.

The number of foreign tourists visiting the country's top destination, Bali, in August increased 12.74 percent from the month before, to 195,800.

The increase was reflected in Bali's star hotel occupancy rate which grew 0.23 percentage points to 68.13 percent from the month before.

The overlooked attractions of Central Java's north coast

The gunpowder smell of fresh rain in the night air hit me as I climbed down from the train in Semarang. By the time I reached the station gates and had clambered into a waiting becak (pedicab), a thunderous -- and highly unseasonable downpour had begun.

I peered from beneath the becak's dripping hood as it rolled along the empty streets. This was an old city, and I caught glimpses of heavy Dutch rooflines, crumbling columns and arched windows. Shadowy figures sheltered beneath shuttered balconies, and other becaks rolled swiftly through the wet night, their drivers straining urgently at the peddles.

I stopped at the only place open on this dark street: a caf* in a high-ceilinged old building with slow-circling fans. The walls were decorated with photographs of Semarang in years past, and the caf* was known simply as "No. 29" (opposite Blenduk Church). I ordered a plate of juicy sate and a glass of iced tea, and sat peering out at the wet darkness. The rain continued to fall.

Semarang is not high on any must-see list for travelers. Overshadowed by its southern counterpart, the touristic behemoth of Yogyakarta, it's easy to forget that this coastal city of 1.5 million people is the capital of Central Java, and one of the oldest settlements in Indonesia.

Full article by Tim Hannigan

Minister: Tourism already restored in Bali

Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik said here on Friday that tourism had been restored in Bali.

"The number of tourists visiting Kuta Beach is proof that nationally the tourism sector has started improving," he said when visiting the beach and a number of hotels there.

He said the number of visitors to Bali had doubled by more than 200 percent and therefore he was optimistic the government`s target of seven million visitors this year would be met.

"With the increasing number of both domestic and foreign tourists to the paradise island I am optimistic the target will be met," he said.

He said the improving condition had to be maintained and further improved by all components because this sector also sold an image.

"The more the tourist arrivals, the better the welfare of the people, because the tourism sector is the moving factor of the people`s economy," he said.

In view of that he said supporting factors such as security and environment, and cleanliness had to be improved and maintained.

An Australian tourist, John Pieter, told him "I am glad I could bathe and surf in the Kuta beach that has white sand while the waves there are challenging."

Holiday makers flock to Tangerang`s Cankir island

A multitude of people flocked to Cangkir Island, a tourist spot in Tagnerang district, Banten Province, on the second Idul Fitri holiday on Thursday to enjoy the beauty of marine life in Java Sea waters.

"Almost every year we spend our holidays in Cankir Island to enjoy its beautiful beach," said Dodi (36), a visitor to Kreo village, Larangan sub district in Tangerang.

Dodi said he came to the island with his family to release his weariness by enjoying the natural beauty of Cangkir Island`s beach and the smaller islands around it.

Since there was no public transportation from Tangerang to the island, Dodi said, he had to spend around Rp250,000 on transportation to the Cankir Island resort.

Banten`s provincial administration had included Cangkir Island in its Visit Indonesia Year 2008 agenda but the physical conditions of the island had been neglected as its beach was now littered with garbage.

In addition, there was no adequate public infrastructure and facilities on the island so the visitors, mostly teenagers, complained about it.