REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Government expects the number of tourists coming to Indonesia next year to increase up to nine millions. The number is higher than the target of 2012, which is 8.5 million. Hosting Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) next year would help Indonesia to reach the target, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Marie Elka Pangestu said.

"Hosting APEC meeting expectedly attract many tourists to come," Minister Pangestu said after panel discussion entitled Indonesia and APECs Regional and Global Opportunities in Jakarta on Monday.

Many events, she said, were lining up in APEC. An example is Meeting Incentive Convention and Exhibitions (MICE). Held before APEC, the meeting is expected to contribute to the increasing number of tourists. "After the meeting, we hope they can enjoy one or two more days stay in Indonesia," she said.

The board of APEC has prepared the facilities for next year summit. Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center and Bali Cultural Convention will become the center of the event. The board is also building a new place in Bumi Serpong, Tangerang, for APEC meeting.

She explained that government had been developing 15 tourism destinations until 2015. "They are outside Bali," she said. The 15 tourism destinations are Lombok, Wakatobi, Komodo, Raja Ampat, Toba Lake, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Kepulauan Seribu, Sabang, Pulau Weh, Tanjung Puting, Bromo Tengger Semeru, and Flores.

She expects the growth of foreign exchange for tourism sector will reach five percent next year. Tourism sector has generated foreign exchange worth nine billion USD this year.

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