LONDON, March 20 — Rising interest in Indonesia as a tourist destination and a move from an agriculture-based economy to services has helped the country record the largest economic growth in the tourism sector of all G20 countries.

That’s according to the latest figures in the World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2014 Economic Impact Research report, released yesterday.

In 2013, Indonesia’s travel and tourism sector grew by 8.4 per cent, spurred by the 8.7 million visitors to the country.

In spending, that translates to US$10.28 billion (RM33.64 billion) across categories such as business, leisure and transport, and a growth in international visitor spending at 15 per cent and 7 per cent in domestic growth.

“Indonesia is expanding its economy rapidly and, as a result, the burgeoning middle class is travelling for business and leisure,” said David Scowsill, president and CEO of WTTC in a statement.

In addition to the shift from an agriculture-based economy to services, Scowsill also points out that the devaluation of the Indonesian rupiah against the US dollar is likewise spurring increased international visits to the country.

This year, the travel industry’s contribution to the Indonesian economy is projected to grow a further 8 per cent, outperforming the country’s general economy by 2.8 percentage points.

Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, comprised of 13,466 islands. Bali, Sumatra and Java are among the country’s most popular travel destinations. — AFP/Relaxnews