RI'S TARGET FOR CHINESE TOURIST ARRIVALS STILL LOW: DIPLOMAT

Beijing, June 22 (ANTARA) - Indonesia's target for Chinese tourist arrivals at 300 thousands this year is still low as China has a population of 1.2 billion people, Indonesia's Deputy Chief of Mission for China Mohamad Oemar said.

"The 300 thousand arrival target is still low while the opportunity to increase the number of tourists visiting Indonesia is still open wide," the Indonesian diplomat said here on Sunday.

He said that Indonesia with its different tourist objects had the potentials to attract more Chinese tourists, after all the relations of both counties had been going on for over 600 years.

A lot of promotion activities have been carried out by the government, the private sector and tourism operators to attract more Chinese visitors to Indonesia.

"All related parties are working hand-in-hand to promote Indonesia's tourism potentials to the Chinese people so that it is expected that the number of Chinese tourist arrivals in Indonesia would continue to increase from year to year," he said.

He said that the embassy in Beijing was tirelessly promoting Indonesia's tourism potentials to the Chinese people. The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Culture had also invited local administrations in Indonesia to help promote their potentials in China.

The Indonesia embassy will also hold an Indonesia week in Wangfujing, a popular shipping center in Beijing, according to Rosmalawati Khalid of the embassy here.

"The Indonesia Week will be held in September 2008, not too long from the hosting by China of the Olympic Games," she said.