Australians top Bali’s foreign arrivals

Denpasar: Australia topped the list of the 10 largest countries in terms of foreign arrivals in Bali from January to November 2011, up 23.86 percent from 579,624 people during the same period in 2010.

Local Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data revealed that 717,926 tourists visited Bali during the 11-month period, said Gede Suarsa, the head of the local BPS office, on Tuesday.

Gede Suarsa said the increase in the number of tourists was due to the strong Australian economy, a favorable atmosphere in Bali, the proximity of Bali to Australia and regular direct flights between the two countries, according to Antara news agency.

Most Australians came to Bali via Ngurah Rai International Airport, while 15,677 Australian tourists arrived by cruise ship, Gede Suarsa said.