TOURISM AS DRIVING FORCE FOR N SULAWESI'S ECONOMIC GROWTH by Fardah

Jakarta, June 12, 2018 (Antara)- North Sulawesi has set a target to attract 120 thousand foreign tourists in 2018 for which it has intensified tourism promotion and infrastructure development activities to support its ambition.

         Tourism industry has become a pillar of the province's economy, as it has contributed significantly to supporting the local economic growth in Manado.     
    North Sulawesi Governor Olly Dondokambey expressed belief that the tourism industry holds potential to boost the province's economic growth.

         "We will continue to develop the tourism industry, which is a driving force of the regional economy," he noted.

         According to the governor, the tourism sector had a positive impact on the economic growth of 6.32 percent in 2017, or above the national average of 5.07 percent.

         Nearly 100 thousand foreign tourists had visited North Sulawesi in 2017, while the number of domestic tourists reached 169,523.  
   In the first quarter of 2018, some 29,413 foreign tourists had visited North Sulawesi, up from 17,941 in the same period last year.   
   During the first four months of 2018, tourist arrivals in the city had increased by 500 thousand, Head of the Marketing Department of the Manado Tourism Office Abdiel Badjen remarked in Manado last May.

        Quantitatively compared with the corresponding period last year, the number of tourist visits to Manado had reached 250 thousand, while this year, the figure has doubled.

        Hence, based on the calculation and estimation of the Marketing Department of the Manado Tourism Office, the number reached 500 thousand people, and the figure will grow steadily due to several national and international events held in Manado.

        In the meantime, Distribution Division of the North Sulawesi Provincial Central Bureau of Statistics Head Marthedy Tenggehi stated in Manado that Chinese tourists visiting the province constituted 86.54 percent of the total foreign tourist arrivals recorded in April 2018.   
   Tenggehi remarked that 8,753 Chinese tourists had visited North Sulawesi in April after direct flights were started between Manado and China two years ago.

        Direct flights between the North Sulawesi capital and several Chinese cities began when the provincial administration organized chartered flight service to facilitate transport for tourists from that country.   
   Visits of foreign tourists from other countries, such as Germany, the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore, though in small numbers, were also recorded. 
   Governor Dondokambey had earlier confirmed that direct flights connecting Manado with several cities in China had helped to increase the number of foreign tourist arrivals in North Sulawesi.

        North Sulawesi, with a population of 2.4 million and located on the northern Sulawesi Island, or formerly known as Celebes, is looking forward to attract more tourists from China to visit its cities by offering what several Chinese travelers love: seas and culinary delicacies.

        It offers a variety of natural panoramas, with beaches, hills, volcanic mountains, and scenic plateaus.

        The scenic and biodiverse Bunaken Marine National Park, which is some 10 kilometers from Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi Province, is one of the most popular tourist destinations. The park has been inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage List.

        Bunaken has diverse marine life, with 70 different corals, five species of sea turtles, several fish species, and even white and black tip reef sharks, the almost extinct dugongs, and barracudas.

        For food lovers, Manado could be an ideal destination to visit, as it has become one of the top destinations for the best traditional Indonesian cuisines, such as spicy chicken Rica-rica and Roa fish Rica-rica, with Klaapertart as a recommended dessert.

        Chinese tourists have, so far, visited only five destinations in the province: Manado, Tomohon, Bitung, Minahasa, and North Minahasa.

        The local government is currently developing new destinations to boost foreign tourist arrivals. The province will promote Sitaro, Sangihe, and Talaud Islands, which have beautiful beaches and crystal clear water.    
   Indonesia has sought to attract more Chinese tourists to gain from the more than 100 million Chinese traveling abroad every year.

        The tourism sector is projected to generate the highest foreign exchange earnings in 2019, reaching US$24 billion, surpassing that generated from the oil and gas and crude palm oil sectors.

        The government has set a target to receive 17 million foreign tourists in Indonesia this year and 20 million by 2019. Moreover, 275 million domestic tourists are expected to travel by 2019.

        "China, Europe, Australia, Singapore, and India are the top five foreign tourist markets for 2018," Tourism Minister Arief Yahya had stated earlier this year.

        China is at the top based on the size or number of tourists visiting Indonesia.  
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(T.F001/A/BESSR/F. Assegaf) 12-06-2018 13:17:56