RI intends to attract seven million tourists in 2008

The government has set itself the target of attracting 7 million foreign tourists next year, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said.

The number of foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia showed signs of increasing in the past two years, he said during a coordination meeting held at the Office of the Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare here Wednesday.

He said the resort island of Bali had so far served as a barometer of tourist arrivals to the country. "On average Bali receives 5,200 foreign tourists a day, well above the normal level of 4,500."

The ever increasingly improved tourism climate in Indonesia was largely attributable to the MICE (Meeting, Incentive Conference Exchibition) activities which were frequently held in the country, he said.