DENPASAR

Tourism authorities in Bali have set this year’s target for foreign arrivals at 2.7 million, up from 2.3 million in 2010.

Last year’s target was surpassed by around 200,000, to 2.5 million foreigners arriving on the island, Bali Tourism Office chief Ida Bagus Subhiksu said over the weekend.

“We therefore think we can attract 2.7 million foreign visitors this year,” he said.

He said the release of Julia Roberts movie Eat Pray Love and US President Barack Obama’s recent visit to Indonesia had generated extra interest in Bali.

“Both of these events gave Bali and Indonesia additional exposure on the world stage. I believe we will benefit from this exposure in the coming months,” said Subhiksu.

Domestic tourism is also on the rise, with 3.7 million Indonesians from around the country visiting Bali in 2010, up from 3.5 million the year before.