The rate of growth of Australian visitors to Bali has dipped, new figures show.
According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Australian tourist arrivals during the January-October 2012 period grew by 3.7% to 684,312 visitors from 660,743 in the same period of 2011.
The head of the provincial tourist agency acknowledged that growth was weaker compared to the same period in previous years that saw double-digit growth.
Leading figures in Bali’s tourist industry, quoted by the Jakarta Post, said there are real concerns at the slowdown in the Australia market, which they blame on the stronger Aussie dollar encouraging Australians to travel further afield to Europe and the United States.
Tour operators and hotels in Bali are hoping that new air services will reignite the Australian market.
The Indonesian and Australian governments are set to renew a bilateral air service agreement in February.
The new bilateral agreement would provide 25,000 seats per week for flights between Indonesian and Australian destinations.
More Indonesian carriers, such as Batik Air, a subsidiary of the country’s largest low-cost airline, Lion Air, and Citilink Indonesia, are reported to be looking at launching services to Australia.
TravelMole Comment: It’s great value for money and it’s close, but rather than blame the high Aussie dollar for the dip in arrivals from Australia, Bali should be focusing on how it can improve the visitor experience.
The uncontrolled development of hotels in sensitive areas of the island, severe traffic congestion, plus security issues need to be addressed.
The death last week of a young Australian – allegedly from drinking methanol-laced vodka served by a bar on nearby Gili Trawangan – will only add to concerns about the safety of visitors to Bali.
by Ian Jarrett
