Foreign tourists abandon Bali

Foreign tourists abandon Bali

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Many foreign tourists visiting Bali
have abandoned the resort island for nearby Lombok so as to avoid
Nyepi (the Hindu day of silence).

Holiday Inn marketing director Jelantik said that the
occupancy rate in his hotel had fallen to 80 percent after
tourists had abandoned Bali for Mataram.

Bali, normally a hive of activity for tourists, comes to a
virtual halt during the holiday, with tourists expected to stay
in their hotels throughout the day.

Unlike in Bali, in Mataram the day of silence is only observed
in a few predominantly Hindu areas. -- Antara