Visit Indonesia Year to go on, higher target set

Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said Tuesday the government would continue the Visit Indonesia Year tourism promotional program in order to attain a new target of 7 million foreign tourist arrivals.

“The tourist arrivals target will be increased from 6.5 million this year to 7 million in 2010. The VIY program will be extended to next year,” Jero, who is tipped to retain the tourism portfolio in the second five-year term of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s government, was quoted as saying by Antara state news agency.

Yudhoyono had asked Jero during an interview Saturday to boost Indonesia’s image in the international community.