REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- After bringing three awards as world halal destination in World Halal Travel Award 2015, the Indonesian government was more incentive to do a promotional tour of sharia. One of targeted country is Saudi Arabia. In the oil-producing country, Ministry of Tourism does a promotional tour, especially sharia tour in three cities, namely Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah.

Head of Culture and Tourism of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Lalu Muhammad Fauzal, revealed sharia tour promotion that was held in Riyadh, was welcomed by the local tourist community.

"This promotional trip got a huge success," said Fauzal in a statement received by ROL, Wednesday (18/11).

Currently, he said, sharia tourism promotion, was being held in Dammam. Then it would be followed by Jeddah on 20th November.

"We are assured that the tourist destinations of Indonesia are not only beautiful, but also interesting, and full of comfort," Fauzal explained.

By the end of this year, he added, there would come many tourists from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, particularly to Lombok. He assessed that tourism market in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia, has great potential.

"The target of two million foreign tourists to visit NTB need to be fulfilled, even though we had disturbed by eruption of Mount Barujari," he said.

Saudi Arabia tourist arrivals has increased. According to data of Central Statistics Agency (BPS), throughout July 2014 until June 2015, the number of foreign tourists from Saudi Arabia increased from 9,724 people into 22,120 people.

Moreover, the data also stated that Saudi Arabia tourists tend to spend more money when traveling, ie an average of 1,200 dollars (Rp 15.6 million) a day, or four times the average of other foreign tourists spending in general.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika