Padang (ANTARA) - The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) of W Sumatra recorded foreign tourist visits to the province in August 2019 reaching 5,985 people or increase 15 percent than July.
"In July 2019 there were 5,197 foreign tourists visiting W Sumatra, in August it rose to 5,985, it because there is the Pasa Harau event in Limapuluh Kota Regency," said Head of W Sumatra Sukardi in Padang on Tuesday.
He mentioned the visit of foreign tourists in August 2019 contributed 0.38 percent to the total number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia totaling 1,555,436 people.
Sukardi conveyed that in July 2019 the visit was dominated by 3,550 tourists from Malaysia, 432 from Australia and 124 from France.
Then, tourists from China 65, Britain 58, United States 56, Singapore 52, Germany 39, New Zealand 38, Brazil 37 and other countries 586.
He confirmed that the number recorded was those who entered through immigration at the Minangkabau International Airport, if previously from Jakarta or Medan it would be recorded at the arrival airport.
Previously, Bank Indonesia issued a number of recommendations that needed to be done by relevant stakeholders to boost W Sumatra's economic growth into the second quarter of 2019, including in the tourism sector.
In the field of tourism it is necessary to accelerate the establishment of the Special Economic Zone of Bukik Ameh tourism in Mandeh and Mentawai, said the Head of the BI representative of W Sumatra, Wahyu Purnama
. In addition, supporting facilities need to be improved such as access, road expansion, cleanliness of toilets, provision of parking lots, places of worship, lodging, restaurants and friendly tourism human resources.
Furthermore, it is also necessary to increase flight routes to W Sumatra and increase international scale events, he said.
He also proposed to launch the Minangkabau tourism year and increase W Sumatra tourism promotion and increase synergy between provinces, districts and cities in tourism development.
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Translated by: Mutiara Ramadhani - Intership Student of ANTARA 2019
Pasa Harau event increases tourist visits to West Sumatra
The atmosphere of the Siti Nurbaya bridge, Padang, W Sumatra at night (Antara / Iggoy El Fitra)
