Four Countries Reportedly Set to Join List of Visa-Free Travel to Indonesia

Jakarta Globe, Feb 04, 2015

A manta ray swims in the waters of Raja Ampat in eastern Indonesia's remote
Papua province. (AFP Photo)

Jakarta. Indonesia plans to offer visa-free travel to visitors from China, Japan, Russia and South Korea as a tactic to boost tourist numbers, a report said on Wednesday.

Indroyono Soesilo, the coordinating minister for maritime affairs, told Tempo. co that the four countries would join the existing 19 nations whose citizens can enter Indonesia without a visa.

Indonesia recorded 8.8 million foreign tourists in 2013, a 10 percent rise on the 8 million visitors in 2012.

In 2013 there were 747,921 tourists from China, or 8.5 percent of the total.

Indonesia’s neighbors have proved a more attractive place to visit over the years, due to better marketing and infrastructure and fewer visa restrictions. Malaysia recorded 25 million foreign tourists last year, helped in part by offering visa-free travel for 90 days to citizens of many countries.

Indroyono is also keen to provide incentives for foreign cruise vessels to dock in Indonesia. Seven new docks are in the works, the minister said.

“For example, we will give foreign cruises and yachts permission to park at the dock for 6 months,” Indroyono said.