'Bali beyond Kuta' in Melbourne

'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