Presidential trip to China fruitful for Bali

Nov 2nd 2006

A trip to China by an Indonesian Government delegation including President Susilo Bambang Yodhoyono this week, proved to be potentially fruitful for the Bali tourism industry.

Bagus Sudibya, Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board and representative of the Indonesian tourism industry in the business delegation accompanying the President, the First Lady, The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hassan Wirayudha; the Minister of Trade, Mari Pangestu, Cabinet Secretary, Sudi Silalahi and the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik to Guilin, China this week, said that an audience with the President, has reasserted recognition in the Government that Bali is one of Indonesia’s key destinations and requires dedicated attention. Sudibya said ‘it was reassuring to be told by the President that he was impressed with the way we are approaching and managing our specific tourism objectives.’

The primary concern addressed in the meeting was the concern around Indonesia’s National Airline’s, (Garuda) intention to set in motion a plan to direct all international flights through one hub in Jakarta, potentially damaging international tourist numbers to Bali who currently enjoy direct flights to Bali. President Yudhoyono conceded that this needed to be addressed and proposed a meeting with the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of State Owned Companies to discuss the possibility of establishing a new Indonesian airline dedicated to the markets accustomed to direct flights.

Other key issues which were discussed were the need to establish a promotional office for Indonesia abroad. It was suggested that this office be closely linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where possible, install a tourism industry promotional officer in selected Indonesian embassies relative to the importance of the country’s market on the Indonesian tourism industry. America, Australia, Japan and parts of Europe will be the first to be considered.

It was also recognized that serious attention needs to be given to the quality of Indonesia’s tourism industry and therefore infrastructure and security need continued improvement; and national involvement and pride in the tourism industry needs to be fostered through a national public relations campaign. Pak Sudibya said today ‘the key message being that all Indonesian’s need to embrace the tourism industry and share the responsibility of its success by exercising friendliness and honesty in their relations with tourists, and to take responsibility for the environmental health and cleanliness of Indonesia.’

Guilin, is regarded as a positive model for Indonesia through the successful achievement of its objectives to involve the whole community in improving its tourism industry through education and training programs, improvements in infrastructure, regulation of supply and demand, standardization of services and a collective approach to environmental health which includes the maintenance of the cleanliness of the Lee River.