Wednesday, 19 May, 2010 | 13:34 WIB
TEMPO Interactive, Denpasar:The Thai political crisis could profit Bali.
The indication of the increase in tourist number occurred between January-April and reaches 15 percent compared to the same period last year.
“The cause of the increase is because the Thai condition is making tourists divert their travel itineraries,” said Bali Tourism Board Chairman Ngurah Wijaya, Monday (17/5).
Bali could expect a high increase of tourist numbers because Thailand’s characteristics are very similar to Bali, a destination of beaches and cultural richness.
Tourist arrivals reach 6,000 persons per day even though it is not yet the holiday season.
But, according to Wijaya, the impact would only be felt in June for tourists from Australia and July-August for European tourists.
At this time, they are still monitoring the possibility of tourist diverting their destination from Thailand.
Wijaya considered that the impact would not be that big if the crisis could be solved immediately.
Moreover, crises in the country does not lead to anarchic activity like Indonesia in 1998.
Besides that, Thai tourism is not only centered in Bangkok but also other area with equal international flight access.
Meanwhile, The Head of Bali Travel Association, Al Purwa, said that Thai crisis would have a positive impact.
But they do not dare to increase travel or hotel prices yet because hotel occupancy rate is still below 70 percent.
“It is still low season, so we wait for the right moment,” he said.
But he hoped that the government and tourism association is ready to conduct promotion so it could be an alternative tourist’s destination.
ROFIQI HASAN
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