Bali hailed as holiday destination

Bali hailed as holiday destination

DENPASAR: Bali still radiates charm -- or at least it did at the recent
World Travel Mart in London on Nov.6.

After being absent for several years for a variety of reasons,
Bali again participated in the prestigious event.

During the event, travel magazine Conde presented the Conde
Nast Traveler Readers' Travel Awards, in which Bali was announced
the world's favorite holiday destination.

Bali Tourism Authority head Gede Nurjaya said during the award
presentation that the world still trusted Bali as a holiday
destination despite security concerns and the emergence of new
and attractive alternatives around the world.

"We have to work hard in the face of competitive challenges in
the cutting-edge world tourism business," Nurjaya said.

He acknowledged that Bali had to make improvements.

A lack of promotional efforts and financial support had meant
that Bali and Indonesia in general were no longer the focus of
the world's attention.

Infrastructural improvements, including that of airports and
transportation, were also needed.

In addition, immigration policies and incentives designed to
lure visitors back to Bali and other destinations in Indonesia
were of crucial importance.

In 2003, Bali ranked second in the same survey. -- JP