TOURISM OPERATORS HAIL OBAMA`S PLAN TO VISIT YOGYAKARTA

TOURISM OPERATORS HAIL OBAMA`S PLAN TO VISIT YOGYAKARTA

Jakarta Forum - Yogyakarta, Tourism operators in Yogyakarta have welcomed US President Barack Obama`s plan to include their region in the itinerary of his visit in Indonesia next month.

"We consider it very positive as it will certainly help increase foreign tourists` interest in the region," the head of Yogyakarta Public Relations Community (Kapurel), Dedy Pranowo Wiryanto, said here on Saturday.

He said President Obama`s visit to the central Javanese old city would be historically remarkable in that a president of a big country like the US would take an opportunity to enjoy one of the world`s wonders, namely the ancient Borobudur Temple in Central Java.

"We hope the visit of President Obama and his family as well as other US officials to Yogyakarta would not be seen from a political prespective only but should also be seen as a reflection of Obama`s statesmanship," he siad.

He said he hoped no demonstrations would occur during Obama`s visit in the region because it would be very useful and promote the country`s tourism.

So far, there was no surge in the number of foreign tourists coming to Yogyakarta ahead of President Obama`s visit on March 22, he said but he was optimistic it would occur after the visit.

"The visit will certainly have an impact on tourism in Indonesia although it will not happen at once," he said.

Source: Antara News