Bali still main destination of Australian tourists

Denpasar, Bali (Antara) - Bali appears to have remained a main destination for Australians as the number of Australian tourists visiting Bali is only second to that of Japanese tourists, a local statistical official said.

Some 204,473 Australian tourists were among a total of 1,666,079 foreign tourists who visited Bali in 2007, the head of the local statistical bureau, Ida Komang Wisnu, said on Tuesday.

He said it was a significant increase compared with 2006 when the figure was only 137,000.

Meanwhile, the number of Japanese tourists visiting Indonesia in 2007 was recorded at 351,633, while tourists from Taiwan were in the third place with 138,849 people.

He said some of the tourists came to Bali not only for a vacation but also for business.

The head of the local foreign trade office, Ni Wayan Kusumawathi, separately said realization of Bali`s exports of handicraft and other non-oil/non-gas commodities to Australia increased to US$29 million, compared with only US25 million in 2006.

Indonesia has set itself the target of attracting seven million foreign tourists this year through its Visit Indonesia Year 2008 program.

Many provinces, including Papua, have prepared special packages to attract foreign tourists.  Full story>>

Tourists spent nearly a billion euros last summer in Finland

(eTN) - In Finland, foreign tourists spent over 970 million euros last summer in Finland. From May to October of 2007, 3.3 million foreigners visited Finland, an increase of four percent from the previous year.

About a quarter of the cash spent in Finland came from the pockets of Russian tourists. Russian spending grew by one-quarter from the previous year.

On average foreign tourists spent 291 euros while in Finland, or 49 euros per day. Those who were on business trips spent an average of 69 euros a day. One-third of the money spent went towards shopping, one-quarter was used at restaurants and cafes, and one-fifth went towards lodging.   Full story>>

Tourism this week in Latin America

By travelatlatinamerica.com

ARGENTINA
The worlds most famous rally will be run in this country
The traditional off-road competition Dakar Rally will run from January 3rd to 18th, 2009, between Argentina and Chile, with start and finish in Buenos Aires.

Creation of Ice Museum will contribute to the tourist offer
It will be located in El Calafate and will cover an area of 2,000m2. There are only two museums of this category in the world, but, according to its creator, it wont be a copy of either one. The President Cristina Kirchner has already given her approval.

This year 124 cruise ships will arrive in Buenos Aires
This year, 124 cruise ships will arrive in Buenos Aires (25 more than in 2007); especially large ships, which mostly come from the Caribbean.

New luxury hotel in Puerto Madero
With an investment of US$ 52 million, the project which will have 160 rooms and suites. This hotel will form part of the Starwood Hotels chain, owner of the Sheraton. It will be the third five-star hotel that is being constructed in the area.  Full story>>

Airline to drop NY route

FLINT (mlive.com) - Just three months after they started, American Eagle Airlines is grounding its underperforming flights from Flint to the Big Apple.

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