Jakarta, June 25 -- The Tourism Ministry is ready to optimize Garuda Indonesia's "empty leg" Hajj return flights to attract foreign tourists from Saudi Arabia.

The initiative follows a decision by Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), which has officially allowed Indonesia's flag carrier to carry commercial passengers on return flights that previously flew empty after transporting Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to Saudi.

"In principle, the Tourism Ministry fully supports and welcomes this development, as we have clear targets for foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia," Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa said at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday.

Despite the short preparation time this year, the initiative has s...