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