Flights to Jakarta may be increasingly in demand among leisure travellers in light of recent figures indicating that tourist arrivals in Indonesia rose 7.2 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2011.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency revealed that for the January to April period, the number of people entering the country on Garuda flights and with other airlines was in line with the forecasts of Business Monitor International (BMI).

There was also a slight increase in hotel occupancy rates for the year as a whole as figures rose to 50.6 per cent.

According to BMI, the strong visitor numbers "underlines our continued bullish stance towards Indonesian tourism for 2011 and beyond".

Those considering booking Garuda flights to the country later this year may want to coincide their visit with the Baliem Valley Festival, which celebrates the nation's independence day and takes place in August.

The event may provide visitors with the chance to witness some of the tribal traditions that are still upheld in the country, such as mock battles, music and dancing.

Use Alternative Airlines to book your cheap flights to Jakarta