As a tourist who spends long holidays on Bali, I would like to call the attention of local authorities to the age-old problem visitors must face at the international arrival area of Ngurah Rai airport.

To begin with, the free trolleys are stored at the far end of the arrival area, so out of sight that the vast majority of tourists think the airport does not offer this amenity.

Cunning porters read suitcase tags then call the owners by name, inducing them to believe they are their guides.

Once they (they work in pairs) have latched onto their prey, they stop at the first money changer and persuade the arriving tourist to change money.

The banknotes received in exchange are always the highest denomination: Rp 100,000 (US$9). Before the tourist can actually meet an official guide, the porters have already demanded a tip of Rp 100,000 for each suitcase!

If the tourist does not want to buy local currency, the helpful thugs are willing to accept 10 dollars or 10 euros, if not more.

Moreover, the scammers have a tacit agreement with the custom officers who do no check suitcases escorted by the porters. As for the shameful behavior of customs officers, there is so much to say and will be said on another occasion.

The notice beside the luggage conveyor which says porterage is not compulsory and the customary fee is Rp 20,000 each suitcase is almost always overlooked by the exhausted tourists harassed by these notorious porters.

I sincerely do hope Bali's authorities take swift action to put an end to this disgusting situation which makes the Bali airport perhaps the most unwelcoming airport in the world and gives visitors the feeling they have landed on the Island of Thieves.

ERNESTO PIGAFETTA

Denpasar

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