JAKARTA (Indonesia Today) – Total foreign tourists visiting Indonesia reached 725,316 in March 2013, increased 10.13% from 658,602 in March 2011, Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) announced today. Compared to February 2013, the number rose 6.91%.

Total foreign tourists went to Bali, one of the most attractive places in Indonesia, through Ngurah Rai Airport in March 2013, amounted 247,024 tourists, rose 10.8% from 222,950 in March 2012. Compared with February 2013, the number increased 4.24%.

The main gate of Soekarno-Hatta Airport recorded foreign arrival of 186,548 tourists in March 2013, grew 12.43% from 165,927 tourists in March 2013. Compared with February 2013, the figure rose 3.38%.

The number of tourists stayed in star hotels in 23 provinces reached an average number of 52.20% in March 2013, declined 0.47 points compared to March 2012 (52.67%). Compared to February 2013, the number increased 3.02 points.

Both domestic and international tourists on average stayed in the star hotels for around 1.98 days in March 2013, inched down 0.03 days compared to March 2012, increased 0.07 days from February 2013. ( hans@theindonesiatoday.com)