A member of the Indonesian delegation that visited American Samoa says the sister city arrangement between Indonesia's Sulawesi province and American Samoa can generate economic benefits for the territory.
The head of the North Sulawesi Regional Development Planning Board, Noldy Tuerah, says tourism is a significant foreign exchange earner for Indonesia.
The country attracted 8.04 million foreign tourists last year, a 10 percent rise from 7.65 million in 2011.
This month, the Indonesia Tourism Board will open promotion and marketing satellites in Australia, China, Taiwan and the Netherlands.
Mr Tuerah says areas in tourism which need further discussion with American Samoa include cultural sites, arts, tourist guides, and direct flights between Indonesia and American Samoa
"We can collaborate more in business terms to send more visitors from Indonesia to American Samoa and at the same time also we can exchange experience and learn from both sides."
Noldy Tuerah says a memorandum was signed by the governor for north Sulawesi Province and the American Samoan governor.
