TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chairman of the Indonesia Investment Coordination Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong, said that a number of foreign investors, specifically from China, have expressed their interest in developing Indonesia's tourism industry. The investors, Fosun International and HNA Group, has high interest in the tourism sector, according to Minister Lembong.

"[The investors] have talked with President Joko Widodo, [expressed] their interest in the tourism sector," Lembong said.

Fosun International is a Chinese-based investment company who had been making investments in the health, torusim, fashion, and baking sector in the United States and Europe in the last few years. Meanwhile, HNA Group is a Chinese prominent air transportation company who has shares ownership in 23 different airlines across the globe. In addition to Fosun and HNA, Lembong said that Chinese property company Wanda had also stated its interest in making investments in Indonesia.

Following the investors' interest over the tourism sector, Lembong reminded the government to pay close attention to Indonesia's tourism market. Lembong added that Chinese tourists are mostly interested in visiting regions in the eastern part of Indonesia. "The currently popular [destination] is Manado," Lembong said.

ADITYA BUDIMAN