Australia and Bali: The Love Continues!

Australia and Bali: The Love Continues!

Australia's love affair with Bali shows no sign of waning as more than 242,000 tourists flocked to their island paradise in the first four months of 2013.

"As we are not yet into the peak tourist season", said Ross Taylor, chairman of the Australia-based Indonesia Institute, "we are on track to hit the magical one million target for the first time by the end of the year".

Head of the Bali Provincial Statistics Office Gede Suarsa said a total of 242,935 Australian tourists visited Bali in the first four months to April, an increase of 2.07 percent compared to the same period last year. More than 969,382 foreign tourists visited Bali in the first four months of 2013, up 3.60 percent from the same period last year when the figure was recorded at 935,724, according to the local statistics office.

"Given the bad press that Bali has received over the past 12 months, these figures are pleasing." said Mr. Taylor, highlighting the high-profile incidents involving methanol poisonings, robberies, and a range of other road accidents.

"With one Australian dying in Bali every ten days and many more ending up with injuries resulting from a range of incidents, it would be understandable if Australians were re-considering their travel plans to Bali. But whilst the Australian dollar remains strong relative to the Indonesian rupiah, and intense competition amongst the low-cost airlines servicing the island continues, then Bali will remain a highly attractive holiday destination."

Mr. Taylor said the Bali Governor was however, concerned about Bali's problems with increasing crime and also poor infrastructure such as roads and water supplies, but these issues were now being addressed.

"Bali still represents fantastic value for Australians," he said. "and providing we all have a lot of fun whilst acting responsibly with the consumption of alcohol and respecting the Balinese culture and sacred temples, then the vast majority of Aussies will arrive back home having had a wonderful holiday."

Mr. Taylor reminded Australians that for many Balinese, 'life' was still being lived on $4.00 a day and that whilst it was always good to bargain 'hard' when buying items, it was often a nice gesture to give a small tip (or a 'gift' for the shop owners family) after the purchase had been completed.

"It might only be $2.00 for us, but to a family who live outside of the main tourist areas of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, that makes a huge difference to their life...and respect for Australians".

ENDS

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