Indonesia expects 2.1 million Chinese tourists this year

A young Chinese couple ties the knot in Bali, a hot destination for Chinese tourists, especially newlyweds.[Photo by Li Jin/China Daily]

Indonesia expects Chinese arrivals to jump this year, since it has developed special historical destinations, boosted supportive policies and stepped up promotions, a senior tourism official says.

China and Indonesia have strong historical backgrounds. This has become one of the main engines for both countries' tourism industries, says the Indonesian Tourism Ministry's deputy for overseas promotion, I Gde Pitana.

"China is the main market for us. In 2016, it will be the biggest market, (overtaking) Singapore, Australia and Malaysia," Pitana says.

The archipelago expects 2.1 million Chinese, compared with last year's target of 1.3 million, he says. That's over a sixth of the 2016 goal of 12 million total inbound travelers. The country received 10 million last year, the ministry says.

The reasons for the much higher expectations for Chinese visitors are promotional campaigns, and cultural－and historical-destination development, in addition to a new visa-on-arrival policy adopted last June.

A total solar eclipse will also be visible from parts of Indonesia this spring.

Nearly 120 million Chinese traveled overseas last year, but Southeast Asia only claims a small slice, Pitana says. About 6 million visited Thailand, and 2 million headed to Singapore, Pitana says.

The global tourism industry has bestowed many accolades on Indonesia. The country won three awards out of four at the 12th United Nations World Tourism Organization Awards Forum and three out of six at the ASEAN Travel Association Forum.

"This indicates what we have done is in line with international standards," Pitana says.