Hundreds of Japanese Tourists Visit Bali

Though we are not as bad as tabloid journalists, who prosper through sensational reporting of death and disaster, travel writers do tend to benefit from crisis situations. As cash-strapped tourism-industry companies and organizations seek to promote themselves by any means, perks are available for the asking. For example, I am writing this column from a comfortable, fully furnished office at the Sahid Raya (actually a guestroom), which the hotel is giving me at what they euphemistically call a “very special rate.”

About 400 hundred aged tourists from Japan visited Bali on a two-day trip in a program labeled as “The Asia Grand Cruise 2003” during 10-11 February 2003. Upon arrival by in Padangbai Port (East Bali), the Japanese tourists group disembarked out the cruise motor ship of “MS Asuka”, while they were proud of Mr. I Gde Ardika, Ministers of Cultural and Tourism, greeting them in accompaniment of Mr. I G. Sumantara, Regent of Karangasem (East Bali). A Balinese dance party, specifically prepared to welcome the Japanese guests spread flowers over them at the end of the event taking place at the port.
“We hope these Japanese tourists were capable of promoting charm and security of Bali among their country’s citizens after their arriving back home,” Mr. Ardika said. Executive Vice-President of NYK Cruise Co. Ltd., Mr. Yasuyuki Morimoto, on the other hand has invited Mr. Ardika, Mr. Sumantara and other local officials going on board of the cruise for lunch and cruise inspection, to visit Japan.
Mr. Morimoto made it clear that at present Japan is still in winter season causing the aged Japanese to take cruise ship in seeking warm and tropical places, including Bali, for holidaying.
The MS Asuka Cruise departed on 21 January 2003 from Yokohama, to sail to China, Vietnam jected to sail to Darwin, Australia, Palau, Saipan, Guam, and at last back to Tokyo. During their Bali visit, the aged Japanese went to Ubud, Kintamani for sightseeing, while some of them played golf in Nusa Dua Course. (*/dp)