Jakarta, July 6 -- Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa is optimistic that Bengkulu Province could improve tourism in its region, following a significant increase in the number of visits to the 2025 Tabut Festival.

Data from the Bengkulu Province Tourism Office recorded that visitors to the 2025 Tabut Festival reached 206,217 people, both domestic and foreign tourists, an increase from 132,898 people the previous year.

"This provides a very positive trend and it also gives us optimism that Bengkulu's tourism performance will continue to improve," Puspa said in her official statement here on Sunday.

Economically, the 2025 Tabut Festival is estimated to generate around IDR 21 billion (around US$1.29 million). That figure reflects dire...