Despite record-breaking tourism numbers at Indonesia's prime beach resort of Bali, the country will again miss this year's overall target for foreign visitors, he predicted.
Due to the global economic downturn, the government has revised down its targets for 2008 foreign tourist arrivals to 'realistic figures' of around 6.4 million, from initial goal of 7 million.
According to the National Statistics Agency, the three quarters spanning January to September brought nearly 4.6 million tourists, a 12.2 per cent increase from the same period of 2007, or 4.1 million.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tourists weigh in on Bali bombers’ executions
SENGGIGI, Lombok Island—The dining area at the Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort teemed with mostly Australian tourists on Monday, an unexpected sight the morning after the execution of the three Bali bombers that sparked concerns of possible retaliatory attacks against Westerners in this country.
Weeks before the executions, the Australian, UK and US governments issued travel advisories against “unnecessary” trips to certain parts of Indonesia–especially Bali which is a 20-minute flight from Lombok.
Australian national Peter Dillon had just spent a week in Bali with his wife, two daughters and 37 other people when Bali bombers Amrozi, Imam Samudra and Muklas were executed at the Nusa Kambangan Penitentiary in Central Java.
“We had a wedding to come to and it couldn’t be put off. That’s why we came here,” Dillon said in an interview on Monday.
Weeks before the executions, the Australian, UK and US governments issued travel advisories against “unnecessary” trips to certain parts of Indonesia–especially Bali which is a 20-minute flight from Lombok.
Australian national Peter Dillon had just spent a week in Bali with his wife, two daughters and 37 other people when Bali bombers Amrozi, Imam Samudra and Muklas were executed at the Nusa Kambangan Penitentiary in Central Java.
“We had a wedding to come to and it couldn’t be put off. That’s why we came here,” Dillon said in an interview on Monday.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Airlines helping Bali travel changes
The federal government is working to ensure Australians aren't penalised if they defer holidays to Bali because of a greater risk of terrorist attack following the execution of the Bali bombers.
Already Jetstar and Virgin Blue have waived charges for passengers who want to delay travel to the holiday island following the weekend executions of Amrozi, his brother Mukhlas and Imam Samudra.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has been warning young school leavers who are planning to have end-of-year celebrations in Bali to think again.
"I welcome the news that Jetstar and Virgin Blue - two of the airlines that have flights to Bali - have waived their fees for travellers wishing to change the date of their travel to Bali in November," he told parliament on Monday.
Already Jetstar and Virgin Blue have waived charges for passengers who want to delay travel to the holiday island following the weekend executions of Amrozi, his brother Mukhlas and Imam Samudra.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has been warning young school leavers who are planning to have end-of-year celebrations in Bali to think again.
"I welcome the news that Jetstar and Virgin Blue - two of the airlines that have flights to Bali - have waived their fees for travellers wishing to change the date of their travel to Bali in November," he told parliament on Monday.
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