TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Ministry of Tourism has estimated the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang will generate foreign exchange worth up to Rp3 billion and lure some 700,000 tourists.

The figure includes the number of athletes and official teams at 20,000 people and spectators that might reach up to 150,000 people.

“First, we will sell 7 tourism destinations with 75 packages. The main destinations are Jakarta, Palembang, and surrounding areas (West Java and Banten), including Bali,” said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya today at the Presidential Office.

According to Arief, the ministry has started selling the tourism packages since last year in a bid to promote the 2018 Asian Games to both domestic and international tourists.

“We have promoted it, we held a field trip to Jakarta and Palembang, and we will further promote it everywhere,” Arief said.

The promotion through tourism packages was expected to attract tourists to make a journey to the regions where 2018 Asian Games take place. At the same time, the government can benefit from tourist arrivals, particularly international tourists, to meet this year’s tourist target of 17 million.