Monkey business threatens US president’s Bali visit
The last week in June may be a good time to avoid Bali if – as predicted – US President Barack Obama pays a visit to the island at that time.
The island is expected to be in a security lockdown as the president’s entourage – including a swathe of secret service officials – visits key sites.
Bali Update (www.balidiscovery.com) says the Uluwatu area on the island’s southern peninsula is getting a spruce up in anticipation of Obama’s arrival.
Local leader the Regent of Badung wants the airport, hotels and other elements that come into contact with the US President to use the opportunity to showcase Balinese culture.
“I hope Obama will not only come to Uluwatu as a tourist, but also encounter the special ambience of the sacred temple by witnessing the daily religious rituals of the Balinese,†he said.
The regent has devised a strategy for dealing with the maraudering monkeys who populate the temple.
He has suggested the monkeys be seduced with large amounts of food in the three days prior to Obama’s visit.
If his plan to pay off the monkeys fails, extra guards will be placed at the site to keep the “snatch and run” monkeys – who will grab cameras, pens, mobile phones and glasses from temple tourists – a respectable distance from the group of official visitors.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive