Australian tourists to Bali up by 50 percent

Denpasar (ANTARA News) - The number of foreign tourists flying on Indonesia`s national flag-carrier Garuda Indonesia from Australia to Bali had increased by 50 percent in the past few months compared to last year`s.

The remark was made by Garuda Indonesia`s Operations Director Capt Ari Sapari during a dinner party held to welcome 110 Australian participants of the Mega Familiarization Tour at Novotel Nusa Dua Hotel, Badung district, on Friday evening.

Without mentioning the number of the Australian tourists to Bali, Ari Sapari said their number is only second to that of the Japanese tourists. "One thing worth noting is that Garuda flew more than eight million passengers in a year and has served the route to Australia for 38 years," Ari Sapari said.

A increasing number of Australian tourists to Bali showed that the island resort was still a paradise for tourists to spend their vacation. "We are delighted with this condition because it means better prospects for the aviation business," he said.

Two other tourist destinations in the familiarization tour are Grajakan in East Java for surfing and Jakarta for golf enthusiasts.

The participants of the Garuda Indonesia-Australia mega educational tour including three journalists were led by Garuda Indonesia General Manager for Australia and the US Suranto Yitnoprawiro.

Spokesman for the delegation Ron Moro, who is also Garuda Indonesia sales manager for western Australian region, expressed words of thanks and happiness for being able to enjoy the beauty of Bali`s nature and impressive culture.