Obama’s visit to positively impact on Bali tourism

The visit of US President Barack Obama to Indonesia may benefit the tourism industry in Bali, said a tourism businessman.

Aloysius Purwa, the chairman of the Indonesian Association of Travel Agencies (Asita) Bali chapter, said wide media coverage of the visit might provide a clearer portrayal of Indonesia in general and Bali in particular.

The US currently has a travel warning for citizens considering visiting Indonesia, dubbing it as fertile ground for acts of terrorism.

Bali also received sour publication during the first and second bloody Bali bombing incidents in October 2002 and 2005.

The number of American tourists visiting Bali reached only 52,816 people between the January and September 2010 period or only 2.8 percent of the total 1.85 million foreign arrivals during this period.

Purwa said prior to the Bali bombings, American tourists would holiday at the top 10 countries along with Japan, Australia, Korea and Taiwan.

Bali’s travel industry is currently active in various travel marts in the US and European countries.

The island obtained worldwide coverage when Hollywood movie star Julia Roberts featured in the blockbuster movie Eat Pray Love, which was partly set in Bali.

Another businessman, Udiyana, owner of several hotels and villas, said many people in the US had forgotten about Bali as a tourist destination because of the US travel warning.

“The absence of direct flights between Bali and the US has also contributed to the problem,” Udiyana added.

The local tourism industry must become more familiar with the current travel trends in the US.

“We have to obtain more information on the American tourism market,” said Udiyana. “There should be significant changes to this market after so many years.”

He also suggested that the Indonesian government promote the country’s tourism by inviting American journalists, tour operators and the tourist industry to Indonesia.