The government’s visa-free offer to 30 countries received a warm welcome from local sports institutions, including the Indonesian Golf Course Owners Association, or APLGI.

The new initiative is expected to significantly boost golf tourism in the country.

“China, Japan, and South Korea are countries with the biggest markets for [Indonesia’s] golf courses,” APLGI secretary general Wahyu Afandi Harun said in a press statement.

“Fortunately, these three countries are included in the list of nations to receive visa-free privileges.

“We are optimistic the number of tourists who come to Indonesia to play golf will double,” he added.

Announced last Monday by Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, the new regulation now allows citizens of 45 countries to enter Indonesia for short-term visits without a visa.

Arief said the ministry is ready to support APLGI in promoting golf tourism in the archipelago.

“We may not sponsor a tournament, but we will help with the promotion [of golf tourism],” Arief said during a meeting with APLGI members earlier this month.

“We have met with representatives of international media to arrange a deal for the country’s tourism promotion, including golf as a part of sports tourism.”

The London-based International Association of Golf Tour Operators, of which APLGI is a member, serves as a trade organization for the world’s golf tourism and controls 80 percent of the industry, generating sales of up to 2.1 billion euros ($2.27 billion) annually.

Tourists on golfing holiday spend three times more money than the average vacationer, Wahyu added.

“Indonesia is home to many golf tourism destinations that don’t receive much [media] exposure, including those located in the Greater Jakarta area,” he said.

“If we can create interesting [travel] packages, it will attract more recreational golfers to Indonesia.”

More than one million travelers are projected to visit Asia specifically to play golf this year, with Southeast Asian countries as the more favored destinations.

Indonesia has been appointed host country of the 4th Asia Golf Tourism Convention scheduled for April 27-30 in Jakarta. The annual event will provide an opportunity for tour operators to promote their business.