One of Indonesia’s top tourist destinations is Mt. Bromo in Java, shown in this picture, courtesy of Remote Lands travel agency. Says Remote Lands, “Sunrise at Mt. Bromo is a must-do for travelers who enjoy hiking, trekking and photography.”

The Indonesian government is now offering Saudis and citizens from other Gulf Cooperation Council nations visa-free entry into the country for 30 days.

Saudis can visit Indonesia for this period for official government purposes, education, business, tourism, transit or family related reasons, said Ahrul Tsani Fathurrahman, chief executive officer of information and cultural affairs at the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh, on Monday.

“The provision has also been extended to citizens of other GCC countries,” he said.

Indonesia has also waived the visa requirement for citizens from Jordan and Lebanon. The decision would help boost tourism in the country and bolster mutual cooperation with the GCC and other nations, he said.

Fathurrahman said Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country, wants to promote Islamic tourism. An example of this is the recent development of Lombok, which is also known as the “Island of One Thousand Mosques,” he said.

He said Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago nation, made up of more than 17,000 islands, which attract people from all over the world.

Saudis last year reportedly spent SR40 billion abroad, with Dubai being the favorite tourist destination.

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