TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - North Sulawesi has seen an upward trend in tourist arrivals since the turn of the year. Some 17,941 tourists visited the province in the first quarter of 2017.
Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) North Sulawesi show that the number of tourist arrivals in the province increased fivefold in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period last year of 3,467 arrivals.
China dominates tourist arrivals in North Sumatra by country. Since the turn of the year, China is always on top of the list of tourist arrivals by country.
In March 2017, the number of tourist arrivals in North Sulawesi was 3,889 or increased by 75.54 percent. The figure was way above that of Singapore, German, the United States and Hong Kong with an average of 109-107 arrivals.
Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado has adopted free visa policy for travelers from 169 countries since last year. Next year, eight direct charter flights from China and a regular direct flight from Singapore will operate at the airport.
Spike in tourist arrivals in North Sulawesi has resulted in better hotel occupancy, rising 11.43 points on a month-on-month basis to 68.16 percent in March. The figure was also higher compared to March 2016 at 65.58 percent.
BISNIS.COM
