Sandiaga Uno Targets 255,300 Chinese Tourist Visits This Year

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) is targeting 255,300 tourist arrivals from China this year. This can be seen from the enthusiasm of Chinese tourists who have started arriving in Bali some time ago.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno said hundreds of tourists from China had flown from various Chinese international airports, such as from Shenzhen.

"After struggling with restrictions and fighting for health for so long, we are again welcoming guests from China. Our target is 255,300 tourists from China, but hopefully we can exceed it," said Sandiaga in Weekly Brief with Sandi Uno in Jakarta, Tuesday, 24 January.

According to Sandi, the visit of tourists from China could achieve the target of 7.4 million foreign tourist visits this year.

"As of today, we will continue to add the number of flights and we cannot deny that the target of 7.4 million foreign tourist visits in 2023 will also rely on Chinese tourists," he said.

Apart from Bali, said Sandi, there are a number of other tourist destinations in Indonesia that are the choice of Chinese tourists, such as Manado.

"Manado and these five super priority destinations are also the favorites of Chinese tourists," he concluded.

Previously, 210 passengers from China on Lion Air charter flight JT2648 arrived at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, on Sunday, January 22.

This charter flight became the first flight from China to Bali after the Chinese Government allowed its citizens to return to traveling abroad since January 8.

"So, this is an official first. This is a good momentum to return Chinese tourists to Bali," said Deputy for Marketing of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Ni Made Ayu Marthini, quoted from Antara.