Visit Musi 2008: Palembang, South Sumatra

The South Sumatra provincial administration launched Saturday its Visit Musi 2008 program in a bid to attract more tourists to the area. Visit Musi 2008 was officially launched at the Kuta Besak fortress in Palembang by Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, State Secretary Hatta Radjasa and Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik.

In his speech, Aburizal passed on greetings from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was unable to attend the launch of the Rp 3.5 billion (US$330,000) program according to Khairul Saleh.

South Sumatra Governor Syahrial Oesman said 75 activities would be held throughout 2008 as part of the program, ranging from local and regional activities to activities on a national and international scale.

Syahrial said the program was aimed at steadily increasing the number of tourists visiting the province.

He said tourist arrivals in South Sumatra were expected to increase from 670,000 in 2007 to about 1.6 million this year.

“With more visitors in 2008 it is hoped the regional income will increase and people’s livelihoods will improve,” Syahrial said.
Wacik urged other regions to adopt similar programs to help promote the success of Visit Indonesia Year 2008.

He said if all regions participated in the national tourism drive, it was likely the target of 7 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2008 would be met.

Several noted artists performed at the launch of Visit Musi 2008, including popular group Nidji.