BPS Records Number Of Foreign Tourist Visits To West Sumatra As Of August 2023 Up 12.7 Percent

Head of the Central Statistics Agency of West Sumatra Province, Sugeng Arianto. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

PADANG - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that the number of foreign tourist visits (tourists) to West Sumatra Province (West Sumatra) through Minangkabau International Airport (BIM) in the August period increased by 12.76 percent.

"In August 2023, foreign tourist visits to West Sumatra through BIM entrances were 5,577 people, an increase of 12.76 percent compared to July which was 4,946 visits," said West Sumatra BPS Head Sugeng Arianto as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 3.

Since April 2020, airport authorities have temporarily closed operations, especially for international flights.

This is to reduce the spread of the corona virus.

According to him, until September 2022 no foreign tourists will enter West Sumatra Province through BIM. Then, October 2022, the airport began to activate international route flights.

Referring to West Sumatra BPS data, it was recorded that five countries contributed the largest number of foreign tourists entered the Minang realm, namely Malaysia, Australia, the United States, France, and the Netherlands.

The neighboring country is listed as the country that contributes the most dominant foreign tourists, namely 4,344 people, followed by Australia with 291 visits, the United States 94, France 47, and the Netherlands 42 tourists, and the rest from other countries.

Regarding the average length of stay for foreign and Indonesian guests at five-star hotels in West Sumatra during August 2023, 1.38 days.

That figure decreased by 0.33 days when compared to the previous month which was recorded at 1.71 days.

Then, the average length of stay for foreign special guests in the same period was recorded at 1.33 days or down 0.46 days compared to July 2023 which was recorded at 1.79 days.

Meanwhile, the average length of stay for Indonesian guests in August 2023 was recorded at 1.39 days and decreased by 0.31 days when compared to the previous month, which was 1.70 days.