Foreign and local tourists flock back to Bali island

Foreign and local tourists flock back to Bali island

Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

The number of foreign tourists visiting Bali has continued to
increase over the past few months, thanks to the improved
security situation.

The deadly terrorist attack that hit the resort island in
October, 2002, scared away not only foreign tourists, but also
local visitors.

The number of foreign tourists started to increase in January
this year, and continued to rise in the following months.

"We see some light at the end of the tunnel. We are now
starting to receive more booking and inquiries from travel agents
around the world, who had previously excluded Bali as a major
destination for their clients," explained I Gede Adhita, Sanur
Beach Hotel's marketing and communications manager.

Soon after the Bali bombings, travel agents from Europe and
the United States, particularly, excluded Bali as a prime holiday
destination.

"Things are getting better. With a conducive political and
security condition, we expect that the hotel and tourist industry
in Bali, and other parts of Indonesia, will enter its recovering
period smoothly," he said.

Regardless of the security condition over the last two years,
Bali is still regarded as one of the world's favorite
destinations, as stated by a recent survey conducted by Time
Asia.

It is encouraging to see European and American travelers
returning to Bali.

Although Japan, Australia and Taiwan still dominate Bali's
tourism market, tourists from other countries, including from
Southeast Asia -- such as Singapore and Malaysia -- have begun to
flock back to Bali.

The tragedy dramatically changed the island's tourist
industry, which had focused on the traditional market, like
Europe, the United States, Australia and Japan.

In recent years, the market shifted to regional countries, as
well as the new emerging market, including Russia, China, the
Middle East and South America. The domestic market, which was
previously ignored by many star-rated hotels on the island, also
became a target of campaigns to promote Bali.

Renata Hutasoit, director of business development at the Grand
Hyatt in Nusa Dua Bali, said that the number of local guests
continued to increase.

"We received more guests from Jakarta, Surabaya and other big
cities in Indonesia, in addition to our overseas clientele," said
Renata.

She said the Grand Hyatt was increasingly receiving bookings
for corporate meetings (MICE). "Even after the bombing in
Kuningan, Jakarta, we still get inquires from overseas tour
groups," she said.

Similarly, The Westin Resort, also in Nusa Dua, experienced
better business this year. Today (Sunday), the Westin is hosting
more than 800 employees of Japan-based Teraoka Seisakusho,
Co.Ltd., as part of the company's 70th anniversary celebrations.

The strengthening of the hotel industry here is evident in the
surge in occupancy rates over the past nine months. The majority
of star-rated hotels in Kuta, Nusa Dua, Ubud, Sanur areas
reported an occupancy rate of between 60 percent to 90 percent
since last June, as compared to 30 percent to 60 percent in the
same period of last year.

Wiwin Ong, director of sales and marketing at Hotel Padma Bali
in Kuta, said that the hotel's occupancy rate was now more than
90 percent.
"We anticipated the flood of customers, especially domestic
clientele in the coming Idul Fitri holiday and year-end holiday,"
she said.

Deddy Sasmita, marketing and communications manager at the
Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta, shared this optimism. "Hotels in Kuta
are usually fully booked in the holiday season. Hard Rock Hotel
is popular with young executives as well as families who are
young at heart," he said.

Visitors to Bali have plenty of choices when it comes to
hotels. The island provides abundant accommodation to suit
everyone, from backpackers to wealthier tourists. Kuta is the
best place for those looking for nightlife, while Nusa Dua and
Jimbaran areas are good choices for honeymooners.

Tanjung Benoa now has a number of luxury hotels, like The
Conrad Bali. "We have been doing tremendous business since the
opening of the hotel early this year. Our average occupancy rate
reaches 80 percent, but we are still offering interesting
packages for Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year holidays," said
Anastasia Lijadi, director of communications at The Conrad.

In addition to these favorite spots, Ubud is a must-see place
in Bali, particularly for art lovers.

Ririn Setyowati, executive secretary of Alila Ubud in
Payangan, Gianyar said business had been steady in 2004.

"We mostly serve European guests and only a few domestic
ones," she added.

Hoteliers in Bali are confident that tourists are no longer
afraid to mark the island as the top location on their travel
itineraries.