The number of Middle Eastern tourists traveling to Indonesia is expected to climb as the global oil price continues to rise, an Indonesian tourist association said Wednesday.

"We are hoping the number of Arab tourists will increase," said Ben Sukma, the chairman of the Association of Indonesian Tourism Travel Agencies (ASITA).

"As the price of oil the world over increases, surely the Arab community will become wealthier."

Ben expects up to 250,000 Middle Eastern tourists to visit Indonesia this year, a 47 per cent increase from last year's total of 170,000.

ASITA has prepared special packages for the typical Middle Eastern tourist including trips to mountainous regions like Bogor, Puncak, Sukabumi, Cipanas and Bandung.

"Some of our tour package destinations include Batam and Bukittinggi in West Sumatra," Ben said, adding that Middle Eastern tourists generally spend more money and stay longer in the country than other tourists.

"They usually stay about three to four weeks and can spend up to US$200 per person per day, compared to European and American tourists who spend about $100 and $75 on average respectively," he said.