TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign tourists from India contribute to the second largest percentage of tourist`s visit to Indonesia in 2017. According to Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, the number of Indian tourists reached 30-40 percent.
"The biggest number is China. Last year, it reached 1.9 million tourists with a 40 percent growth. And the second is India," said Minister Arief Monday, April 30.
Many Indian tourists come to Indonesia to attend International Yoga Day held in several cities. Indonesia has been set as the host for the event for four years.
International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21. Indonesia became one of the initiators of the Indian sports celebration.
Read: 3 Yoga Destinations in Bali Favored by Foreign Tourists
In addition, to attend the grand event, the Indian tourists come to Indonesia to visit Bali, especially Ubud, as it is recognized as a center of yoga activity in the country.
"Although Bali is not yet officially set as a yoga destination, it is recognized as the most popular place of Indian tourists and a favorite place to hold yoga festival," said Minister Arief.
In addition to doing yoga, Indian tourists come to explore the diversity of Indonesian culinary, especially vegetarian foods.
Big cities like Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bali have held culinary festivals for the vegetarian community (vegan) for a few time.
The culinary is known as a considerable contributor to tourism revenues since the tourists will spend 30 percent of their budget for food.
Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism established several cities, such as Bali, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Solo, and Semarang as the culinary destinations, as it is expected to attract Indian tourists to come. Moreover, in some cities, the vegan culinary festival will be routinely held.
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA