TEMPO.CO, Banyuwangi - Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said that the number of domestic tourists visiting Banyuwangi soared from 500,000 in 2010 to around 4 million in 2016. In addition, the number of international tourists also increased from 7,000 to 75,000 tourists.

"The growth of tourists visiting Banyuwangi has increased significantly. In addition to ease of access, choices of destinations and better-supporting facilities, there are 72 festivals held annually," Arief said while attending the first flight of Garuda airline with the destination Jakarta-Banyuwangi on Friday, Sept. 8.

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Arief added that the number of passengers in Banyuwangi Airport surged 1,340 percent from 7,826 people in 2010 to more than 112,000 in 2016, and is estimated to reach 150,000 people this year.

Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas expressed his gratitude for the support to develop the region. "This is the embodiment of teamwork from the central government, local administration, and state-owned companies to enhance connectivity," he said.

Anas stated that that particular Friday was a historical day to Banyuwangi. He reminisced his past while he was serving as a member of the House of Representatives in 2008. He once had a dream that Banyuwangi situated at the very end of East Java could be easily accessed.

DAVID PRIYASIDHARTA