TEMPO.CO, Padang - Some 4,141 out of 4,989 tourists visiting West Sumatra in March were Malaysians.
“In February 2017, the number of foreign tourist visits to West Sumatra reached 4,045; in March 2017 it increased to 4,989 or a 23.34 percent uptick,” the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) West Sumatra head Sukardi said yesterday in Padang.
Aside from Malaysian tourists, Padang was also visited by 144 Australians, 36 Thais, 32 French, 22 Britton, 20 Germans, 19 Singaporeans, 17 United States citizens, 10 Chinese, 8 Japanese and 540 visitors from other countries.
According to Sukardi, tourist arrivals in March contributed 0.52 percent of total tourist visits in Indonesia of 956,748 people.
Sukardi said that Malaysian tourists visit West Sumatra as they have a similar culture. He added that the region expects to attract more Middle Eastern tourists. “Middle Eastern tourists have been more attracted to Puncak in Bogor, West Java, even though West Sumatra’s natural beauty is comparable,” he said.
The Association of Tours and Travel Agencies (Asita) West Sumatra chairman Ian Hanfiah said that the infrastructure in the region needs to be improved to attract more tourists.
Sukardi has also suggested Padang traditional restaurants diversify their menus. “Eating Padang rice in the morning, at noon and in the evening for three days will bore tourist,” he added.
He said that Padang cuisine is tasteful but restaurants need to mix and match it dishes from other regions in Indonesia.
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