LEGIAN ~ Despite the global economic downturn, Bali experienced record numbers of foreign tourist arrivals in January, data show, pointing to a continued upsurge in the island’s tourism fortunes.

New industry figures show year-on-year foreign arrivals were up almost 18 percent for the month, to nearly 165,000 people.

The government has revised downwards its target for foreign-tourist arrivals this year, due to the prevailing economic climate, but says it is hopeful of reaching on or near last year’s just-under 2 million.