Aussies not happy with RI visa policy
Aussies not happy with RI visa policy
Bali Hotels Association (BHA) hosted a marketing seminar for
its members at Conrad Bali Resort and Spa last weekend.
The one-day seminar focused on distribution channels for
travel purchases, increased competitive markets between Bali and
Australia. The meeting also touched on pricing and value-added
strategies.
The seminar concluded that the number of Australians coming to
Bali is sharply increasing but many of them are uncomfortable
with Indonesia's visa-on-arrival process. This, the seminar
emphasized will likely encourage travel destination choices
beyond Bali, especially in the highly competitive travel
environment.
The association currently has 63 members comprising general
managers of star hotels, resorts in Bali. A number of directors
of sales and marketing as well as public relations managers also
attended the event.
The seminar presented a number of prominent speakers including
Ian Norris, owner of San Michele Travel in Australia, Craig
Sinclair, publisher and Partner in Travel Talk Media Group in
Australia and other noted presenters.
According to Norris, 99 percent of Australian departures to
Indonesia (or around 265,000), in 2004, were destined to Bali. He
said that Indonesia was the second-most visited destination for
Australians after New Zealand.
He added that the number of Australians visiting Indonesia
reached 17 percent of the country's international departures. In
2002, the number of Australians holidaying in Bali sharply
declined because of the Oct.12.bombing tragedy.
Norris suggested a jointly driven marketing campaign between
Australia and Bali to further boost and secure business
opportunities. For consistency and recognition, he recommended
"branding" Bali with a new moniker which could be used by
wholesalers, retailers and products themselves, in marketing and
promotions.
Craig Sinclair of Travel Talk Media Group explained about the
posititioning products in the Australian market and how
Australians view Bali. He noted that pre 2002 stereotypes of Bali
changed post-Bali bomb with the destination ripe for rediscovery.
He said Australians thought of Bali as a safe destination and
now view it as a leading gateway and a part of Asia.
Sinclair suggested there is more opportunity to promote varied
products and higher-end accommodation, as Bali isdestination"
providing the "equivalent quality of what you can buy in Sydney."
Bali is not just cheap T-Shirts and cheap beer anymore, he said.
The Association's chairman Robert Kelsall commented," This was
a high level information exchange on trends, perceptions,
opportunities and developments in tourism businesses between
Australia and Bali." Kelsall added that as an information
exchange, it provided valuable feedback for participating
partners. -- JP