Jakarta sets 2.3 million tourists target

Jakarta sets 2.3 million tourists target

Jakarta is aiming to attract 2.3 million foreign tourists this year.

Around 2.1 million foreign visitors arrived in the Indonesian capital in 2012, with 63% travelling to the Big Durian for business, but the head of the city’s tourism agency is optimistic that numbers will increase this year.

The Jakarta skyline is shown in this file photo from 2010. The Big Durian aims to attract 2.3 million foreign tourists in 2013. AFP PHOTO / BAY ISMOYO

Arie Budhiman revealed that Jakarta’s tiny budget to promote tourism was the equivalent of just over US$1,200 in 2012 but added that this year the city government would take part in tourism exhibitions around the world and offer promotional packages to travel agents.

“Promotion is important. The governor agrees that Jakarta needs more promotion. We still focus on the East Asia market,” Mr Arie told Berita Jakarta.

Mr Arie added that international musicians were also keen to tour Jakarta, citing the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival as an example, which ranks among the biggest jazz festivals in the world. 

International acts scheduled to play in Jakarta early in 2012 include Swedish House Mafia (Jan 19), Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Vampire Weekend (Jan 30), and the Stone Roses (Feb 23).

Despite a lack of many obvious tourist attractions, Jakarta was named 2012 Travellers’ Choice in Asia by website TripAdvisor in November last year.


Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (2)