Thousands have flocked to the Thousand Islands in the northern part of the capital city over Idul Fitri.

“I was informed yesterday that the number of tourists reached 3,000. Today, the number has reached 5,000 people,” said Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, while visiting Kali Adem Port in North Jakarta on Friday.

He said the number of tourists was about 10 times the number on regular days, which only saw 400 people.

Among the popular islands in the Thousand Islands regency are Pari Island, Pramuka Island, Bidadari Island and Kahyangan Island. 

On his visit, Budi checked the documents of ship that would transport tourists to the islands.

He called on the Jakarta administration to modernize the ticketing system at Kali Adem Port.

“The system needs evaluation. The Jakarta administration needs to use an online system that will facilitate port staff,” he said as quoted by tempo.co.

The administration would also have an improved database with an online system, he said.

Budi said sea transportation from the port to Thousand Islands was currently managed by the Jakarta administration, while the Transportation Ministry only assured the seaworthiness of ships. (bbn)