REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDA ACEH -- Indonesia's westernmost province of Aceh is ready to receive one million tourists from different countries in the well-known Weh Island in Sabang District in 2017, according to Governor Zaini Abdullah.

"Our target for next year is to receive one million foreign tourists in Sabang, especially in the beautiful Weh Island," the governor remarked here on Wednesday.

Weh Island is known for its natural beauty, waterfalls, coral reefs, marine species, white sandy beaches, and historical relics.

To realize this target, Abdullah affirmed that the local government and other relevant agencies will continue to promote the tourism potential of the island in Sabang.

The governor noted that the number of foreign tourists visiting Sabang from year to year had continued to increase, and this proved that the promotion of tourism had been quite successful.

Abdullah pointed out that 450 thousand tourists had visited Sabang in 2013. This number increased to 500 thousand tourists in 2014. The number of tourist arrivals increased to 700 thousand in 2015.

"The surge in the number of tourists visiting Sabang is inseparable from the availability of direct flights between Medan and Sabang and more conducive conditions in the province," he explained.

Abdullah remarked that the increase in the number of cruise ships arriving in Sabang, with thousands of tourists from various countries, will contribute to boosting the number of tourist arrivals.

"Until this April alone, 11 cruise ships had called at Sabang port before sailing to another country," the governor stated.

According to Abdullah, the Aceh government had designated Weh Island and its surrounding areas as a national tourism strategic area, and this step demonstrates its commitment to promoting Sabang and Weh island tourism.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika