'Bali beyond Kuta' in Melbourne

The Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia, will hold Bali Night Festival next August, featuring North Bali as an alternative tourist destination for Australian travelers.

Wahid Supriyadi, the consul general, told The Jakarta Post recently that North Bali had huge tourist and agricultural potential.

"We have suggested that the Bali and Buleleng authorities explore the possibility of developing Singaraja and other cities in the regency as waterfront cities and centers for agrotourism," Wahid said.

For the August festival, the office has already invited numerous travel agents, tourism-related businesses and individuals, as well as travel writers, to participate in this tourist promotional event.

The Bali Night Festival will be followed up by a larger annual event, Festival Indonesia, held at Federation Square, Melbourne, from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1. The festival will include tourist promotions, an investment forum, art and cultural activities as well as an Indonesian food extravaganza.

"A number of potential investors in Australia are interested in doing business in Bali, particularly in the northern part of the island," added Wahid, saying that some had met with Bali Governor Dewa Beratha.

Wahid also said that his office was now actively helping small and medium-sized hotels in Bali to promote their establishment in Victoria and Tasmania. -- JP