Archive for May 14th, 2007
Local Tourism Figures Urge Now is the Time to Repair the Visa-on-Arrival System and Grant More Autonomy to Bali’s Tourism Industry.
Now breathing easier and safe from the most recent Cabinet Reshuffle, Indonesia’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, is being urged by tourism leaders in Bali to lobby the Minister of Justice and Human Rights to eliminate the unpopular visa-on-arrival (VOA) policy. Minister Wacik is also being urged to seek a Presidential decree providing special status to Bali’s tourism industry, allowing the Island more autonomy in developing its tourism industry.
The Vice-Chairman of Bali’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), Ida Bagus Surakusuma, told the Indonesian language NusaBali that the elimination of the VOA is the “best solution” to help restore Bali’s tourism. Surakusuma, the Head of Pacific World Travel and more popularly known as “Lolec,” said that now that the Culture and Tourism Minister has ben spared in the Cabinet Reshuffle “Jero Wacik must wisely use this opportunity.”
Lolec told Nusa Bali that Wacik should ask the Minister of Justice and Human Rights to reintroduce the system of free visa entry (BVKS) to replace the VOA.
Lolec posed the question, “if other countries can extend a BVKS, why can’t Indonesia.?” Lolec is confident that the removal of the VOA and replacement with a BVKS will bolster arrival numbers.
Special Presidential Decree Needed
In a separate statement, a member of the Advisory Board of KADIN, Gede Jaya Susila, said a Presidential decree granting special status to Bali’s tourism industry and more autonomy in its management is needed.
Insisting that the people of Bali were best equipped to address the many problems of the Island’s tourism, the proposed Presidential Decree would focus power in developing tourism with the local community where it belongs.
Susila sees the Presidential Decree as preparing the way for a consistent means of financing Bali’s tourism industry, preparing the way for the utilization of the taxes paid by the Hotel and Restaurant sector and obtaining a share of visa fees collected from Bali’s tourist visitors.
Bali Discovery Tours.
May 14th, 2007
MUSCAT — The tourism industry in Indonesia is witnessing a boom as the nation celebrates the highest number of foreign arrivals since 2001. In 2007, a total of six million tourists are expected.
Thamrin Bachri, director-general of tourism at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Indonesia, said that the government is focusing on visitors from the Middle East.
Around 60,000 tourists from the region visited in 2006 and about 100,000 visitors are being projected for this year and 150,000 for 2008.
The 80 per cent of tourists came from Saudi Arabia and followed by 18,000 to 20,000 tourists from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
To facilitate easy travel, the government has introduced a visa-on-arrival scheme for tourists from Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The cost of visa is $25 for one month.
Thamrin said with 90 per cent of the Indonesians being Muslims, visitors from the Arab world can feel at home with nearly all hotels in Java are equipped with special rooms for prayer and food which are of the safe standards.
While no direct flights are available from Muscat, airlines from the neighbouring countries with more Indonesian expatriates operate directly to Jakarata with some even connecting to the tourist attraction of Bali. All international airports in Indonesia have Arabic signboards.
Thamrin admitted that travel from Oman is on the costlier side in the absence of direct links but he said things would change in the coming years with more airlines operating to Oman, which is also a major tourist destination.
Travellers to Indonesia, especially soccer fans, can witness AFC to be co-hosted by four nations-Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar will represent the Arab world.
Games will take place in Gelora Bungkarno Stadium in Jakarta from July 7 to 29. The stadium has a good pitch and has undergone renovations to invite visitors from many Asian countries.
There is a meeting of the travel industry in Bali from September 25 to 28 for PATA Travel Mart with delegates from all over the world attending the event.
The year 2008 is seen as ‘Visit Indonesia Year’ with the government targeting seven million arrivals to mark the anniversary of the nation’s Awakening Day, which will be celebrated with huge number of events and concerts.
Vinod Nair, Oman Time
May 14th, 2007
Todds Valley couple Patrick and Patsy McGrath hope to make a special delivery during their annual aid trip to Bali in June, but they need a little help.
Mrs McGrath, a former teacher, has developed cassette tape and written aids to help Balinese people learn basic English.
All they need now are portable cassette players so people in the Candi Dasa area can use the programme.
The McGraths have been making the annual trip for the past 15 years.
Speaking English was vital to getting a job in Bali’s tourism sector, Mr McGrath said. It cost about $NZ120 for a Balinese child to go to school for a year, which was an “impossible” expense for most Balinese.
He said those who could afford an education often were not taught good English, especially for getting a job in the tourism industry.
Mr McGrath said the lessons were relevant to the tourism industry and included learning sentences such as “Where would you like to go, sir?” and how spicy people would like their food to be.
The McGraths have an arrangement with Singapore Airlines to take 100kg of goods with them at no extra charge. They are also looking for hand tools, clock radios, tape recorders and other items to help support people in the region.
Mr McGrath said the month-long trip was always enjoyable, and they felt their work was appreciated by the Balinese. “They welcome us into their families and take us to intimate ceremonies.”
Anyone with tape players or items to donate can contact the McGraths at pat\@\tuck.co.nz.
The Nelson Mail
May 14th, 2007