Indonesia braces for decline in Japanese tourist numbers

Following the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, numbers of Japanese tourists visiting Indonesia are expected to decline this year, the government says.

Firmansyah, a director general at the Culture and Tourism Ministry, said because of the current situation in Japan, the government would work to increase numbers of tourists coming to Indonesia from other countries.

He said the disasters had not only forced Japanese tourists in Indonesia to return to their home country, but also prompted potential visitors to delay their plans to come to Indonesia.

Indonesia is targeting to receive 7.7 million overseas tourists this year, up from 7 million last year. Of the that number, 600,000 were expected to come from Japan.

Source = eturbonews