NUMBER OF MALAYSIAN TOURISTS TO JAKARTA THE HIGHEST

Jakarta, April 9 (ANTARA)- The number of Malaysian tourists visiting Jakarta is the highest compared to those from other countries.

According to data of the Jakarta Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) on Friday, the number of Malaysian tourists to Jakarta in February 2010 reached 19,881.

Next on the list are Chinese 13,367, Singaporeans 11,524, Japanese 7,333, and South Koreans 5,963.

According to BPS, the number of tourists from the Asia Pacific countries are higher than those from the other parts of the world.

The number of foreign tourists to Jakarta in February this year reached 127,644, an increase by 3.7 percent compared to those in January totaling 123,027.

This was in line with the number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia in February which had increased by 6.1 pct compared to those in January.

Previously, secretary of the tourist destinations directorate general of the culture and tourism ministry Winarno Sudjas said he will develop 10 new tourist destinations in Indonesia as alternative destinations besides Bali.

The 10 new tourist destinations are Riau Islands, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, East Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, and West Papua.

In the meantime, he would continue develop and promote the previous destinations, including Bali, Yogyakarta, and Bandung.