KOMPAS.com - The number of foreign tourists arrivals in Indonesia increased 4.20 percent to 493 thousand in January 2010 from 473.2 thousand in the same period a year earlier, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS). However, if it is compared with their arrivals in December 2009, the number of arrivals in January dropped by 21.17 percent, because January is not a peak season for foreign tourists to come to Indonesia.
BPS chief Rusman Heriawan said that in January the hotel room occupancy rate in the country’s star-rated hotels in 14 provinces was recorded at the average of 46.11 percent, a decline of 6.45 percent compared with that in December 2009 which stood at 52.56 percent. The average length of stay of foreign tourists at star-rated hotels in 14 provinces in January 2010 was 2.08 days, an increase of 0.11 percent compared with that in December 2009, he said.
Java Jazz Festival News
KOMPAS.com - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here on Saturday night enjoyed the Java Jazz music scene following last week’s tense political atmosphere over the Bank Century bailout case. The president who was among others accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and their youngest son, Edhhie Baskoro, watched the Java Jazz music concert featuring songs by Diane Warren in Hall D2, Jakarta Fair arena in Kemayoran.Yudhoyono and Ani who wore blue dress, when entering the Hall D2 at 08:45 pm, were greeted enthusiastically by hundreds of spectators. The audience which previously sat facing the stage, directly turned to see the head of state’s arrival.
The presidential seat which was near the seats of Minister/ State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik, was located on a small stage in the rear room. Before the concert began, the presenter asked the audience to sing the national anthem "Indonesia Raya" together.
Diane Warren who created the world hits like "I do not want to miss a thing" appeared only briefly in the early stage. After that several singers, namely Eric Benet, Due Voci, Griffith Frank, and Sandy Sondoro alternately sang songs by Diane Warren. Among them was "Unbreak My Heart" which was popularized by Toni Braxton, "Can’t fight the moonlight," which was popularized by Lee An Rimes, and "Because you love me" which was sung by Celine Dion.
Before the show, Diane Warren who has written more than 1,000 songs met with President Yudhoyno for 30 minutes.
