Tourists bothered by beggars, traders

Tourists bothered by beggars, traders

DENPASAR, Bali: Governor Ida Bagus Oka said he has received
many complaints from foreign tourists annoyed by swarming
souvenir hawkers in virtually every tourism location here.

"For example, I received the other day two letters from
tourists from America and Germany, complaining about beggars and
the small traders in the Nusa Dua and Kuta beaches," Oka was
quoted by the Antara news agency as saying yesterday.

"The tourists said that beggars and hawkers are often such a
pest, forcing them into buying something or giving them money,"
Oka said. He added that the problem is a serious one as it could
create a bad impression and harm the tourism industry of the
scenic island.

He said that the number of tourists from Japan visiting Bali
dropped significantly following the widely-publicized news of a
cholera outbreak recently.

"I've just returned from a special trip to Japan to convince
its tourism operators that the news was a fabrication," he said.

"If necessary, we will take measures to discipline the hawkers
and the beggars. We'll probably set up a special place for the
small traders to open their businesses in," he promised. (swe)