Americans to Bali down 80%

JAKARTA (JP): The number of tourists from the United States visiting Bali plunged by 80 percent last year, largely due to the travel warnings issued by the U.S. government, an executive of a travel company said.

Nagasari Tour and Travel's director Anak Agung Prana said in Denpasar on Saturday that the number of American tourists dropped sharply after the warnings were issued.

He told Antara that 17 tourist groups from the United States canceled their visit to Bali in 2000.

Each group usually comprises 600 people, he added.

The U.S. government issued several travel warnings last year over security concerns in the country.

Separately, Bali Tourism Board's chairman I Gusti Nagus Yudhara said Indonesia should dispatch a special team to the United States to mend the image of the country.

He said Indonesia must restore the country's image to keep Indonesia, including Bali, from being avoided by tourists.

As of August 2000, Bali has been visited by some 962,950 foreign tourists.(03)