Bali…and beyond

FOR first-timers, the entire of Bali is theirs for the taking – beaches, temples, diving, culture, sight-seeing and more. What about repeat visitors?

The island’s treats in small doses in low gear should make them continue savouring the second, third or nth visit. “They can relax, go to spa. No more sight seeing. They can just enjoy the hotel. Enjoy the view,” said Anita, deputy GM, Gajah Bali Tour.

The democratic range of accommodations also makes everyone happy. Bali is not expensive, Anita said emphatically. “You can choose cheaper ones or get exclusive ones. For five-star hotels, the rates start at around US$60 a night including breakfast.”

More investments are continually being poured into the hospitality sector. Among the more recent players are Bulgari and Novotel Nusa Dua, which opened their properties in 2006. And competition is good for the market.

InterContinental Bali Resort, which has been operating since 1993, has constantly been implementing upgrades in facilities and services. It has recently launched its renovated Club Intercontinental and work on its Imperial Villas will be completed by mid-2009.

“It is important for us to exist, especially on such a small island where competition is extremely high. There are still high-end properties continuing to open in Bali and we now have to work much harder than ever before. For this reason, we are consistent in our efforts to continually improve products and services at the resort through various initiatives and developments. It is our ultimate aim that these innovative new products and services will inspire guests and enhance their overall experience, which will hopefully result in them wanting to return,” said hotel director of public relations, Dewi Anggraini.

Knowing what others are doing is a must. But as important is knowing the niche market even better. ”At InterContinental Bali Resort we are careful to implement new products and services that we feel anticipate the needs and expectations of our guests. By following this formula, we are confident of positive business growth and strive to move in the right direction,” Anggraini said.

Bali is such a popular destination that it outshines the rest of Indonesia. The tourism ministry has been doing what it can to spread tourism receipts beyond the beaches of Bali. Adila, head, Division of Promotion for East Asia, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Indonesia, said they leverage on the popularity of the island and use it as the springboard to other destinations such as Lombok, West Sumatra, Toraja and Central and East Java.

“Many visitors come to Bali and we offer land package outside package. So Bali becomes the hub and we try to spread them out from there. For example Borobudur or maybe Toraja. Then on the east side is Lombok. From Batam, you can visit Medan, North Sumatra or Palembang,” said Adila.

Selling beyond Bali certainly has advantages even from the grassroots level.

Some visitors, particularly those from the West, don’t know that Bali is actually part of Indonesia, said Putu Rio Satrya Kumara, Product Development manager, Visa Service, Bali. Visa participates in major international travel shows such as ITB in Berlin and WTM in London.

The ongoing Visit Indonesia Year is targeting eight million arrivals by year-end. As of June, two million arrivals have been recorded. Adila expressed optimism that the target would be hit because of the number of peak seasons scheduled during the second half.

Back in Bali, Anita said that there are more visitors compared to last year and that there has been a notable growth in the number of those coming from Mainland China. She said that Bali’s popularity in this market was inadvertently fanned by a Korean film shot in Bali and shown in China as well.

Among the new products is the Bali Safari, which sprawls in 40 hectares. “This is for people who like animals,” said Kumara. There are more than a hundred kinds of animals, which are native to Indonesia. In addition there are also imports, such as lions.

Pop culture does wield its magic. But so too do the island’s rich culture and heritage. In the latter part of July, about 500 visitors, primarily from Japan, Singapore, the Netherlands and Australia are expected to arrive in Ubud to observe the Royal Cremation, called Pelebon, according to Maria Mayabubun, deputy director of Promotion for Asia Region, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Indonesia.

Side Bar

Want to know Indonesia better?

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism offers year round familiarisation programmes for overseas wholesalers and travel writers.

“We arrange ground-handling from Jakarta, Yogja and Bali. They see the true Indonesia so they will write articles or include these in their brochures,” said Adila, head, Division of Promotion for East Asia.

Interested parties should submit their request to the nearest Indonesian embassies. “Once the embassy recommends, they forward the request to our office,” he said.

Flight arrangements are taken care of the embassy.