Sweeping out the Rubbish

(6/13/2011)

Illegal travel agencies operating in Bali – particularly in the Mandarin speaking market – are found to be participating in "head hunting" practices that are coming under increasing scrutiny from the authorities. [See: Open Season on Head Hunters in Bali]

As reported by Bisnis Bali , Hartono, the chairman of Bali Liang - the Mandarin-speaking division of the Bali branch of the Association of Indonesian Travel Agents (ASITA), is calling for "sweeping action" to be conducted by the government and related groups to pro-actively close down illegal travel agents in Bali.

Hartono, pointed to the recent closing of the unlicensed agency Say Love Bali found to be serving the Chinese market without the required permits and licenses. He believes that in order to be productive, the sweeping teams must include members of Bali's tourism office, ASITA members and representatives of the Indonesian Guide Association (HPI) who will check the licenses of agencies suspected of operating illegally in Bali.

Hartono wants to see agencies serving the Chinese market without permits and licenses closed down after the sweeping teams check the business operating licenses and the background of those establishing subject agencies. Among the permits and licenses required to operate a legal agency in Bali are an operating license, business registration and articles of incorporation. Checks must also be made to ensure the address shown on the articles of incorporation are the same as the place of business in use in order to avoid illegal operations from "borrowing" the licenses of legal agencies.

Agencies selling travel products over the Internet must also be included in any planned sweeping action against illegal travel operations.