Bush's positive impact on Bali

Bush's positive impact on Bali

From Media Indonesia

The recent visit of U.S. President George W. Bush to Bali met with protests in several regions criticizing his foreign policy for tending to harm the interests of developing countries.

Unlike the demonstrators, the greater part of Bali's population has high expectations that the visit can restore the image of Balinese tourism in the international community, following the tragedy in Legian, Kuta, on Oct. 12, 2002.

According to the tourism industry on the Island of the Gods, Bush's presence in Bali has offered the chance to rehabilitate the image of this major tourist destination as a safe place to visit.

With the improving security conditions in Bali, the U.S. government is also likely to annul its travel warning against travel to Indonesia and particularly, Bali.

ARYO SETYAKI Jakarta