Tourism minister calls for Bali airport quick fix
DENPASAR – Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport needs fixing – and quickly – according to Indonesia’s Culture and Tourism Minister, Jero Wacik.
“Do not postpone it any longer, especially with the number of tourists visiting Bali increasing each year,†said the minister.
He wants an expanded airport to contain fewer commercial outlets and better services for arriving visitors.
He told the Jakarta Globe, “If you want to shop, just go to Sukawati market, shop directly from the people,†referring to the art market near Ubud.
And the minister warned that the airport expansion must be complemented with an improvement of related services such as immigration, taxis and toilets.
“Do not let people travel all the way from Europe and, once they get into Ngurah Rai Airport, they complain about the dirty toilets,†he said.
Bambang Darwoto, director of state airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I, said the expansion project was still waiting for recommendations from the Bali governor and the head of Badung district.
“Once we get the approval, we will soon announce the tender, and a month after that we can start work,†he said.
The expansion, he said, would include international and domestic terminals and other areas such as aprons and runways.
Ian Jarrett
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