Cough up please, you’re a tourist
DENPASAR – Bali Update (www.balidiscovery.com) reports that Angkasa Pura I – the managers of Bali’s International Airport – have announced a 50 percent increase in the passenger service charge paid by every traveller departing on an international flight.
The higher charge of Rp. 150,000 (US$16.30) took effect from November 1, 2007, and is an increase from the former charge of Rp. 100,000 (US$10.86).
Operators in Bali have become increasingly frustrated by what they see as a lack of funding from the central government for tourism promotion. Promises that funds accumulated from visitor visa fees would be directed into tourism’s coffers have been largely just that – promises.
As reported in Balidiscovery.com, there is growing frustration in tourism circles that the details of the Government’s plans to launch a massive promotion programme for “Visit Indonesia 2008” have yet to be announced.
Critics have suggested that the lack of coordination between the government and members of the tourism industry on how the promotion will actually be carried out have cost the country much needed synergy and reduced the final effectiveness of any programme that may eventuate.
Speaking to NusaBali, the chief government official in charge of Bali’s Tourism, Gde Nurjaya, admitted that there had been a delay in finalising details of the programme.
With only two months remaining before the dawn of 2008, Nurjaya said he does not know when the Visit Indonesia 2008 programme will be launched.
“In the near future there is the possibility that we will be able to introduce the logo and central theme of the promotional programme,” he explained.
Next week’s World Travel Market in London is expected to be the venue for a further announcement on VIY 2008 activities.
Ian Jarrett
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