Local Updates of Bali

Recent bombings of the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta did not stop global travel magazine Travel and Leisure from naming Bali its Best Island in the World this year. The paradise island beat out other unique islands like the Galapagos islands in Ecuador, Kauai in Hawaii, and the Maldives.

The choice was made based on the magazine’s readership survey conducted between January and March this year, using a wide range of categories, including the quality of hotels, restaurants, food, and natural and cultural attractions. Bali was also named the best island in the world in 2006.

Bali Tourism Board chairman Ngurah Wijaya said he was informed of the honor by the magazine on Tuesday morning. “We’re very proud and optimistic that Bali has remained attractive to international visitors,” he said.

Bali was hit by bombings in 2002 and 2005, which plunged the island’s all-important tourism industry into near bankruptcy. Hotel occupancy rates at the time were a mere 20 to 30 percent. A steady revival emerged in the aftermath of the second bombing, as the island fought to regain the trust of international travel agents, airlines and visitors alike.

Since then, the number of tourists arriving in Bali has been on the rise. Occupancy rates in Bali last weekend, just after the Jakarta bombings, were still at a considerable 90 percent, with almost 1 million visitors between January and May.

The island’s tourism industry, however, has taken one major hit. The American luxury liner Sun Princess, set to bring in 2,000 clients, has canceled its trip to the island. Suar Tour president director Jro Gde Karang Suarsana confirmed the cancellation. “They’re now on the way to Australia, rather that visiting Bali,” he said, adding the cancellation had caused his company major losses.

Sun Princess was set to dock at Padang Bai Harbor this Thursday. “We’ve worked with the Sun Princess management for the last 10 years,” Suarsana said. The tourism board’s Wijaya said it was common for foreign companies to prioritize security, but added he hoped there would be no more similar cancellations.

Aloysius Purwa, chairman of Bali branch of the Indonesian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Asita), said he was optimistic the bombings in Jakarta would have little impact on tourism in Bali. “I hope there won’t be any more bombings in Bali,” he added.

Businesses are yet to report any significant impact to the tourism industry or other sectors.

Written by Ni Komang Erviani and Wasti Atmodjo
Published on thejakartapost.com