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Union to fight unlicensed travel agencies
Luh De Suriyani , Contributor , Denpasar | Wed, 12/10/2008 10:56 AM | Bali
The Bali chapter of the Association of the Indonesia Tours and Travel Agencies (Asita) plans to file a police report alleging that scores of online travel agencies are operating without license, chairman of the association said Tuesday.
Bali chapter's chairman Al Purwa said the association was compiling a list of agencies allegedly operating illegally.
"We will submit the list to the Bali Tourism Agency," he said, adding that the government agency would then coordinate with the local police in taking action against those found to be felonious.
Purwa said the number of online travel agencies had continuously increased, adding that some were managed by individuals and others by companies.
The move against the travel agencies, Purwa said, was necessary because their operations had disadvantaged several licensed travel agencies.
ASITA Bali has a total of 340 members. Around 100 licensed travel agencies have yet to join ASITA.
"Some licensed travel agencies have complained about the operations of these unlicensed online travel agencies. These online travel agencies earned commissions through selling tour packages, rooms and transport but they have never paid any taxes to our government. This is clearly an illegal operation," he said.
Purwa did not disclose the actual number of the online travel agencies it was investigating.
"We are still in the process of compiling and verifying the data," he said.
The verification process, he said, would be easy as licensed travel agencies would be able to present on request several documents, including a taxpayer primary identity number.
Sanat Kumara, an owner of a licensed online travel agency, said he supported ASITA's move, but added that licensed travel agencies should be able to compete against unlicensed ones.
"The Internet is a free world. The one with the best price and service shall win the competition," he said.
However, ASITA's move was questioned by Kadek Didi Suprapta, who runs what he claimed to be a small online travel agency
"I believe every individual has the right to pursue his livelihood, particularly people like us, who only have little capital," he said.
Suprapta said his agency offered very personal and flexible tour packages.
"This intimate approach is the key behind the success of online travel agencies," he added.
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Made Sariada (not verified) — Sat, 12/13/2008 - 6:32am
This approach sounds as a worry for licenced travel agents who have not applied any marketing online formula. It would be wise if you consider more dialogue approach to solve the problem.
The appearance of Bali online marketers would be a good news for government because it could reduce the unemployment, but perhaps not for the "traditional" travel agents in Bali.
Please innovate, so you could compete. And please give us an opportunity to develop
Hendra W Saputro (not verified) — Wed, 12/10/2008 - 11:28pm
Dear ASITA Bali, your movement will be leave a pain for internet community mostly in Bali and in the world. Internet is a free world to express. Please review my opinion before you make a decision. My opinion is on my blog and balebengong.net. Thank you.