TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia throughout 2018 reached 15.81 million people. It increased 12.58 percent from the previous year which was amounted to 14.04 million.

“We hope the number of tourist arrival will continue to increase because this is one of the factors to boost the national economy,” said the BPS head Suharyanto in Jakarta, Friday, February 1.

Foreign tourists entering the country by air transportation reached 10.08 million visits, by sea transportation at 3.22 million visits, while by land transportation recorded at 2.51 million visits.

Throughout 2018, foreign tourists from ASEAN region noted the highest hike at 20.60 percent when compared to the previous year. On the other hand, the lowest drop came from the Middle East region by 6.13 percent.

According to BPS data, the most foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia by the nationality was dominated by Malaysia with 2.50 million visits, followed by China with 2.14 million visits, and Singapore with 1.77 million visits.

ANTARA