Visa policy survey reveals dissatisfaction<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Denpasar<\/p>\n
Bali is the first province in Indonesia to have carried out a
\ncomprehensive survey on the implementation of the new visa-on-
\narrival (VoA) policy as a quick response to government requests
\nfor the island's tourist industry to provide "real data" on the
\nimpact of the policy, which has been effective since Feb. 2004.<\/p>\n
The survey was carried out jointly by the Bali Hotels
\nAssociation, comprising 55 star-rated hotels and resorts on Bali,
\nin cooperation with the Bali Tourism Board, five months after the
\nenforcement of the new VoA policy.<\/p>\n
Ten thousand questionnaires were distributed to 55 member
\nhotels and a response rate of 21 percent was achieved, with 2,119
\nreturned.<\/p>\n
Some 99.6 percent of respondents needed a tourist visa.<\/p>\n
The nationalities of respondents ranged from visitors coming
\nfrom Southeast Asian (ASEAN) countries to Japan, Taiwan, China,
\nKorea, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Latin America, the
\nUnited States, European countries and African countries.<\/p>\n
The survey indicates a 30 percent decrease in the arrival of
\nforeign visitors to Bali.<\/p>\n
Around 65 percent of respondents from the Netherlands -- one
\nof Bali's major markets -- felt they were inconvenienced, 33
\npercent thought that the visa application process was unclear and
\ninefficient.<\/p>\n
Around 60 percent of Japanese respondents said they felt
\nunwelcome and only five percent felt they would return to Bali,
\nwhile 95 percent would go to other holiday destinations.<\/p>\n
Japan and Australia have been Bali's largest sources of
\noverseas tourists for the last 10 years.<\/p>\n
Despite the government's insistence that the visa policy
\nbenefits Indonesia in generating income from tourists, the entire
\ntourist industry, particularly in Bali, has suffered a severe
\nblow.<\/p>\n
Some policies, such as the enforcement of the new VoA policy,
\nare considered to have significantly damaged Bali's ailing
\ntourist industry, which has not yet fully recovered from the
\nbombing tragedy in 2002 and the SARS scare in 2003.<\/p>\n
The policy also appears to indicate central government
\ninconsistency in supporting the country's tourist industry.<\/p>\n
The policy restricts visa-on-arrival entry to tourists from 21
\ncountries, down from the previous list of 60. It exempts
\nnationals from Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam,
\nthe Philippines, Macau, Hong Kong, Morocco, Peru and Chile from
\nhaving to pay for a visa.<\/p>\n
The three-day visa for US$10 and 30-day visa for $25 are
\nissued on arrival to nationals from countries that include
\nAustralia, Argentina, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France,
\nHungary, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Switzerland,
\nTaiwan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.<\/p>\n
Citizens of countries not listed above must apply for visas at
\nthe Indonesian Embassies in their respective countries.<\/p>\n
Previous surveys
\nIn a survey carried out in May 2003, prior to the visa policy's
\nimplementation, 62 percent of visitors to the island claimed they
\nwould not return if the policy went into effect, 3 percent said
\nthey were unsure and just 35 percent indicated that they would
\nreturn, even if the policy was implemented.<\/p>\n
In an online industry survey conducted by the travel industry,
\nover 54 percent or respondents indicated that the visa fee had a
\ndirect impact on bookings to Bali, and 57 percent indicated that
\nthey were dealing with disgruntled clients following the
\nimplementation of the policy.<\/p>\n
This survey represents the opinions of people who were in Bali
\nand chose to come to Bali despite the implementation of the
\npolicy.<\/p>\n
Bali has been the icon of national tourism. Every year, except
\n2003, more than 1 million foreigners have vacationed on the
\nisland.<\/p>\n
Due to this controversial policy, Indonesia has lost many
\ntourism opportunities.<\/p>\n
In Malaysia, visitors do not have to stand in a long queue in
\norder to get an entry permit and to pay the visa fee. The airport
\nis efficiently run, as is its infrastructure. Visitors are made
\nto feel welcome with such excellent services.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that Bali's tourist industry is beginning to
\nregain the trust of international visitors, with an increasing
\nnumber of tourists coming back to the island, there is still some
\ncause for concern.<\/p>\n
Market shifts, decreased tourist spending power and a weak
\nposition in the international airline network are among the
\nproblems identified.<\/p>\n
In 2003, Malaysia and Thailand received 10 million visitors
\nand Singapore 6 million, while only 4.2 million tourists arrived
\nin Indonesia.<\/p>\n
What is more disturbing is the decrease in revenue from
\ntourism because visitors reduced the length of their stay in
\nBali.<\/p>\n
Package tourism<\/p>\n
In l994, every overseas visitor spent an average of $123.66
\nper day, as compared to only $73.38 in 2001, and $60.95 in 2003.
\nBut, the duration of their visit dropped from 9.48 and 10.97 days
\nin 2001, to only six days in 2003.<\/p>\n
Data revealed by Australian tourist agencies shows a disparity
\nin package tour prices between Bali and other destinations in
\nAsia and the Pacific islands.<\/p>\n
Bali tour packages for four days -- staying at low-cost hotels
\n-- are priced at A$1299, excluding visa fees and other additional
\ncosts.<\/p>\n
A Fiji four-day package at a luxury beach resort costs only
\nA$919, visa-free.<\/p>\n
A Thailand-Phuket four-day package costs $999 visa-free,
\nMalaysia $899 visa-free.<\/p>\n
According to the survey, the results indicate that Bali is an
\nexpensive holiday destination with a complicated, inefficient
\nimmigration system and additional costs. Security concerns have
\ndeterred visitors from Australia and other countries from coming
\nto Bali and other places in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The survey suggests that the government ought to revise the
\nvisa policy. Competition within international tourism has become
\nstiffer over the years.<\/p>\n
The emergence of alternative destinations in neighboring
\ncountries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia,
\nshould be considered by those involved in Indonesian tourist
\nagencies.<\/p>\n
Bali's tourist industry must act immediately to create
\ninnovative packages and to improve its services to lure back
\nvisitors to the island.<\/p>\n
It is hoped that the new tourism minister will revise the visa
\npolicy, enhance promotional activities in targeted sectors and
\nimprove infrastructure, otherwise, Bali and other places in
\nIndonesia will soon be forgotten.<\/p>\n
(Data analysis by Rita. A. Widiadana)<\/p>\n
sidebar story<\/p>\n
Survey conclusions and findings<\/p>\n
* A significant proportion of respondents encountered delays
\nin processing their visa at the airport or the Indonesian Embassy
\nin their country of origin.<\/p>\n
* There was a higher level of dissatisfaction for nationals
\nthat had to apply for a visa before departing their country.<\/p>\n
* Initial indications are that the queuing-time target of 10
\nminutes for visas on arrival has not been met.<\/p>\n
* Group handling procedures at the airport have to be reviewed
\nto ensure more efficient and speedy processing times.<\/p>\n
* The reduction in visitors of certain markets is directly
\nrelated to the difficulty within that market of obtaining a visa.
\nEurope has registered a 30 percent decline in arrivals in 2004 in
\ncomparison with 2001.<\/p>\n
* The recent arrival statistics indicate that the current
\nsituation is severely limiting Bali's source markets, with the
\naverage length of stay and, consequently, spending per stay
\nreduced.<\/p>\n
* Competitor destinations, such as Thailand, have seen an
\nincrease in visitors that corresponds with Bali's decrease.<\/p>\n
* Key markets, such as Japan and Taiwan, are registering
\nhigher levels of dissatisfaction with the current process.<\/p>\n
* The current Ministry of Foreign Affairs website is
\nmisleading as it makes no mention of the new visa policy and
\nstill mentions a "visa-free, short-term visit" of up to 60 days
\non arrival.<\/p>\n
* The key principle of issuing free visas to nationals of
\nreciprocating countries is acceptable; however, it is unclear as
\nto how the decision came about to discriminate between those
\nentitled to a visa on arrival and those that need to apply
\nthrough their embassy before departure.<\/p>\n
Recommendations<\/p>\n
* Make it simple and easy for nationals from key markets to
\nobtain a visa.<\/p>\n
* Keep the system clean, efficient and transparent, for the
\nbenefit of the country and security.<\/p>\n
* Consider an extension of visa-on-arrival facilities to
\ncountries in Europe that have historically supported Indonesian
\ntourism, including but not limited to the Netherlands, Belgium,
\nIreland, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Greece and Austria.<\/p>\n
* Improve the operational efficiency for processing visas on
\narrival at the airport. Possible improvements could be visas
\navailable through nominated travel agents or available via the
\nInternet.<\/p>\n
* Extend the current visa facility to 60 days, or at least
\nmake a 60-day visa available at a surcharge, to encourage longer
\nstays.<\/p>\n
* Make a visa extension available from 30 days to 60 days in
\nthe country, without having to travel outside the country.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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