TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Central Java administration expressed optimism that Central Java would be able to attract more tourists than Bali, considering that the region has 551 tourist destinations.

“We will surpass Bali. It’s not just a dream,” Central Java Tourism, Youth and Sports Agency head Urip Sihabudin today.

Urip claims that Central Java boasts hundreds of natural, manmade, and cultural tourist destinations. However, Urip admits that his region is not able to compete with Bali given its current situation.

Urip added that the region still needs to improve the quality of its tourist destinations and human resources.

The Central Java administration has set a target to attract 1.2 million foreign tourists by 2019. Currently, the region manages to attract 5.576 tourists.

Margo Yuwono, head of the Central Java branch of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), said the number of foreign tourists visiting Central Java is declining. In April 2017, there were 2,349 foreign tourists visiting Central Java via Adi Sumarno Airport.

“There is a 26.20 percent decline compared to March with 3,183 visits,” Margo explained.

However, Margo said that the declining figure was covered by an increase in hotel occupancy by 50.52 percent throughout April.

“[The hotel occupancy rate in] March was recorded at 45.26 percent,” Margo added.

EDI FAISOL