TOURISTS, researchers and observers from around the world have begun arriving in Indonesia, fully equipped and ready to witness the total solar eclipse, visible throughout the Asia-Pacific on March 9.
Indonesia is the only country in the world where the rare occasion can be witnessed in totality across the entire archipelago.
Arief Yahya, Indonesia’s minister for tourism, said: “Travellers are spread out in 12 locations across Indonesia, including West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Jambi, South Sumatera, Bangka-Belitung, East, West, South and Central Kalimantan, West Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, and North Maluku.”
Around 10,000 foreign arrivals have come specially for this, with an estimated 100 events being organised in conjunction with the rare occasion.
“We have also prepared local homestay options in anticipation of the influx of arrivals in places where accommodation facilities are minimal,” added Yahya. Some cruise companies have formed floating accommodation services as well to leverage on the opportunity.
Yahya said that the total solar eclipse, which takes place once every 350 years, would give Indonesia a media value of 400 billion rupiah (US$30.4 million).
