Jakarta - Tourism and Culture Minister Jero Wacik  said  the current conducive atmosphere in the country must be maintained for the success of Visit Indonesia Year 2008 program.

The number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia was not affected by the widespread demonstrations against the fuel oil price hikes nor by the increasing political temperature ahead of the  2009 general elections , Minister Wacik said here after attending the opening  of an exhibition themed "Reflection on A Century of  National Awakening - Developing Culture and the Nation," at the National Awakening Museum, here on Tuesday.

"Foreigners are now even saying  Indonesia is an interesting country," the minister said.

The current situation must be maintained so that conditions in Indonesia remained conducive for the visit Indonesia Year 2008, he said.

Data from the  Central Bureau of Statistics had shown that the number of foreign tourists visiting the country this year was up by 15 percent from  last year.

"In January, February, March and April this year, the numbers of foreign tourists increased by an average of 15 percent compared with the figures in the  same months  last year," he said.

Last year, a total of 5.5 million foreign tourists visited the country, and this year Indonesia hopes to attract  seven million foreign visitors.

The minister was optimistic this year's target could be achieved given the increased number of foreign tourists in the first four months of this year.

As part of the country's tourism promotion, Indonesia would organize 100 events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of National Awakening, he said.

- Source : Antara News Agency, 21 May 2008