The Problem with Bali & US Travelers

(2/5/2002)

The Vice-President for Business Development of Japan & Orient Tours - a major U.S.A. wholesaler was interviewed in the TTG-ATF Daily published in January 28, 2002.

In that interview with Raini Hamdi, the U.S. senior travel professional focused on problems in promoting Bali to the U.S. market. Kurt Bodmer said, "Unfortunately, Bali is also getting caught in the U.S. travel advisory mishap, since the US does not (yet) exclude Bali from its general travel advisory for Indonesia as Australia, UK, Germany and other countries do."

He added, "I think that the dynamic commitment of Bali Discovery Tours has made, i.e. to refund the entire amount the passenger has to paid to them if they see as much as a demonstration in the country, is proof of how confident Bali is in saying 'Bali is Safe'."

"Regrettably, few people in the US are aware that Bali is 95 percent Hindu and very keen on keeping tourism safe and sound." Suggesting when the current situation will resolve itself, Kurt Bodmer said, "Once the US is willing to exclude Bali from its Indonesia travel advisory, we will see an immediate upswing of interest for this destination."