Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) - Several districts and cities in East Java recorded a dramatic increase in the number of international tourist visits in the period from January to September this year amid a decline in COVID-19 cases.
According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), in January–September 2022, the number of international tourist arrivals through Juanda International Airport in Sidoarjo reached 34,470, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa noted in Surabaya on Saturday.
"In the same period last year, there were only 652 foreign tourist arrivals in East Java. This means that this year, it has increased by 5,186.81 percent," she said.
In September 2022 alone, foreign tourist arrivals to East Java were recorded at 9,152, Governor Parawansa added.
"This is the most visits since March 2020. We are certainly very grateful for this fact in the midst of East Java's efforts to immediately recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," she remarked.
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Statistics Indonesia pegged the total number of international tourists visiting tourist destinations in East Java districts and cities during January–September 2022 at 35,427.
In the year-ago period, the figure stood at 6,645 visits, reflecting an increase of 433.14 percent.
Meanwhile, the number of domestic tourists in January–September reached 47,725,334, BPS informed. During the same period in the previous year, there were 20,441,579 visits, reflecting an increase of 134.90 percent.
She said that in terms of hotel or lodging occupancy, the length of stay of international guests at starred hotels in September 2022 was recorded at 2.80 days, an increase of 0.70 points compared to 2.10 days in August 2022.
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Overall, the length of stay of international guests in September was 1.56 days, an increase of 0.04 points compared to August.
Statistics Indonesia data showed that the room occupancy rate at starred hotels in East Java in September reached an average of 54.67 percent, an increase of 4.56 points compared to the previous month.
The room occupancy rate at 4-star hotels was recorded at 57.61 percent, the highest among starred hotels. The room occupancy rate at non-starred hotels in East Java in September reached an average of 24.45 percent, an increase of 0.39 points compared to the month before.
Parawansa said that it is not surprising that East Java has become a destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.
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“Tourism destinations in East Java (have) very complete (types), beautiful, and interesting. Natural tourism includes mountains, beaches, rivers, caves, craters, lakes, and so on. There are also cultural and culinary destinations that should not be missed. All people can do healing and enjoy various tourist destinations in East Java, just choose according to (your budget). East Java has many beautiful destinations (which can be explored without) having to spend a lot of money,” she added.
Based on data from the East Java province’s Tourism and Culture Office, in 2022, the number of tourist destinations in East Java reached 1,316, an increase from 969 in 2021.
Of the 1,361 destinations, 449 are nature-based and 513 are artificial. In addition, 354 are culture-based destinations. The destinations in East Java are supported by 3,364 hotel units, 7,889 restaurants, 1,743 homestays, and 1,792 travel agent businesses.
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