REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian government is targeting to lure 4 million international tourists to enjoy its maritime tourism sites for the period between 2015 and 2019.

"We are targeting to attract 4 million foreign tourists to enjoy our maritime attractions. For 2015, we are targeting to draw 1.3 million tourists to Indonesia," Tourism Minister Arief Yahya stated here on Wednesday.

Arief delivered his speech during the Tourism Media Forum Seminar themed, "The Improvement of Connectivity in Outer Islands to Develop Maritime Tourism."

The minister was optimistic that maritime tourism can contribute US$4 billion to Indonesia's foreign exchange earnings by 2019.

The government is also targeting to earn US$1 billion in state income from the maritime tourism sector.

"We will develop national tourism strategic regions, particularly for the maritime sector in 25 sites during the next five years," Arief remarked.

The ministry will develop eight national maritime tourism strategic regions as part of its first phase this year.

Indonesia will also construct 100 seaports and 10 cruise ports that can accommodate several tourists visiting 45 diving spots around the country.

The ministry has forecast that foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia will increase in the next five years. The institution is targeting to increase the total tourist arrivals to Indonesia from 1 million in 2014 to 1.3 million in 2015 and 1.8 million in 2016 to 4 million tourist arrivals in 2019.

"Most of the foreign tourists are interested in beach resorts, yachts, cruises, and diving spots," Arief pointed out.

The minister noted that Indonesia has yet to optimize its maritime tourism potential as a key source of income.

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