Travel Boss Launches ‘Back to Bali’ Campaign

The Chairman of one of the UK’s leading Incentive Travel companies is kick-starting a ‘Back to Bali’ campaign after a successful fact-finding mission to the Indonesian island resort which is working hard to recover from October’s tragic events.

”Bali was, and still is, such a wonderful holiday and incentive travel destination,” comments Kevin Ingram, Chairman of the THA Group. Kevin Ingram’s visit was made possible by the support of Singapore Airlines and Ritz Carlton Hotels, with the assistance of DMC Pacific World Bali MD, Ida Bagus Lolec.
“Years ago, my wife and I fell in love with the people of Bali. This year, I couldn’t stand by and watch the country suffer, so I went to see what’s happening now in Bali for myself, to come back and report the facts.” “The Incentive Travel business has such long lead-times that if we don’t help Bali soon, next year and 2004 will be commercial disasters for them, and when we all want to take our clients back in 2005, there may no longer be a thriving resort to visit,” added Ingram.
Following the dreadful bombing on 12 October, hotel occupancy levels fell from 70 % to just 15% as images of the terrible tragedy flashed around the world and several foreign countries (including the UK) issued travel warnings, effectively barring their citizens from visiting Bali, as many insurance companies refused to issue cover.  Since then, the Japanese government has down-graded the security warning to its citizens and both individual and fully-inclusive-tour bookings are picking up strongly.
The THA Chairman met with Bali’s Vice Governor Mr Alit Putra, Mr Budi Setyawan (Chief of Police), Drs I Gede Widiartha (Head of Immigration), Dr Pitana (Director of Tourism), the Denpassar Airport Authority, the Association of General Managers of 5-Star hotels and Mark Wilson (Honorary British Consul).
Ingram discovered that a host of permanent security measures have been implemented by the government and the tourist industry.  He learned that hotels are continuing to invest in new facilities, as well as enhanced security, with the intention of offering a greater choice of ‘on-property’ activities for any visitors who might remain nervous of exploring the beautiful island.
Typical examples of the tourist industry’s determined investment in the future include: new perimeter fences, CCTV systems and much increased security personnel at all main locations, the opening this month of Asia’s largest 23,000 sq m fitness centre at the 5-Star Ritz-Carlton, and the building of a 9,500 sq m spa and 20 new luxury villas with private pools at the Grand Hyatt.  The Nusa Dua hotels have also joined forces to secure entry/exit to their area which now employs more than 400 security staff.
“Raising awareness of the current situation is just a first step in helping Bail to regain its place as a destination of choice,” added Ingram.  “Over the coming months, I hope that the UK’s Incentive Travel business, following THA’s lead, will rally round and make every effort to ensure that Bali’s tourist industry makes a full and rapid recovery.”
”Before 12 October, Bali was considered a safe, peaceful destination.  Now, we must restore the image and security perception of all visitors to Bali,” declared Dr Pitana, Director of the Bali Tourist Authority.  To achieve this, the Government is introducing permanent security measures as part of the following four-point plan:
1.Entry via Bali’s four sea ports is now strictly monitored 24 hours/7 days, by a team of 600 police officers. All visitors, including Indonesians, must produce identification.  Failure to comply results in refused entry. Full airport-style x-ray security will be operational at the ports from January 2003. (The October bombers are believed to have entered by the port of Gilimanuk).
2.Enhanced security equipment and increased staffing levels at 117 major hotels, 262 beach resorts and places of interest, and 107 shopping malls. A special task force policeman allocated to each of the 666 villages on the island.
3.Regular uniformed police patrols throughout the island replacing previously covert police presence. Australian Police have 50 personnel on the island to advise and assist local police with operating the upgrading of security.
4.Maintenance of the traditional village structure of ‘Banjars’, which acts as a very effective neighbourhood watch scheme and requires overnight visitors to register with the village chairman.  It effectively prevents strangers from hiding in the countryside.
Bali’s Denpasar airport was already Transport Security Administration (TSA), formerly the FAA, approved prior to October 12 and security is on a par with western airports.