TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Gorontalo provincial government is aiming to attract 30,000 tourists this year. The figure is four times higher compared to foreign tourist visits in 2016 at 7,000.

Gorontalo tourism department acting director Resma Kabakoran said that the Tourism Ministry’s stimulus programs are expected to help increase the number of tourist visits to the province. There is currently no direct international flight into Gorontalo even though Jalalaudin Airpot is capable of accommodating Boeing 737-900 aircraft.

“Tourism Ministry is arranging [international] charter flights, whereas we develop tourist destinations and events to attract tourists,” he said as quoted by Bisnis.com.

The Tourism Ministry has earlier launched stimulus programs to help regions develop their tourism potential. Transportation is among the main issues hampering the tourism sector development in regions.

Earlier, there were no direct flights from Jakarta to Gorontalo. As of Wednesday, April 12, 2017, low-cost carrier Batik Air has opened a direct flight to Gorontalo from Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Cengkareng.

Resma said that direct flight to Gorontalo is expected to boost tourist visits to the province. Last year saw 367,000 tourist arrivals in Gorontalo, three times the target of 120,000.

Gorontalo is aiming to attract Chinese tourists, Resma said. She added that the number of Chinese tourist arrivals has improved following the opening of Manado-Gorontalo route that takes just 30 minutes.

In order to attract tourists, Gorontalo provincial government continues to improve tourist attractions. Gorontalo is currently relying on natural tourism. Pulau Cinta (Love Island) and whale sightings in Botubarani are among two most interesting tourist attractions. In addition, the migration of 35 bird species in Lake Limboto is also an attractive alternative.

BISNIS.COM