European and American tourists visiting Bali increase

The number of incoming tourists from European countries and the US was showing a significant increase as the effect of the global financial crisis seemed to be over, observers said.

Foreign tourists from these countries are considered “quality tourists” for commonly staying longer and spending more than other visitors.

Head of the Bali office of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA), Ketut Ardana, said that overall development of the island’s tourism in 2013 was showing a positive trend and an increasing total number of tourists.

Ardana said that besides staying longer and spending more, European and US tourists had strong interest in the island’s beautiful nature and culture.

They like visiting museums, palaces, temples and even villages all over Bali,” he said. “The number of incoming tourists kept increasing until last year when it dropped. Now it’s strengthening.

Bali Tourism Agency’s data revealed that the number of people visiting from the top 20 countries of the island’s main tourism market was increasing.

From January to September, foreign tourists coming to Bali reached more than 2.4 million people, up 13.31 percent from the same period last year.

France, which is in sixth position, saw 97,399 of its people come to the paradise island, a 17.31 percent increase from last year. In ninth place, the UK contributed with 88,892 people (0.9 percent increase).

German tourists — at number 11 — reached 74,122 people (up 14.53 percent), Russia had 62,172 tourists (up by 18.19 percent) and the Netherlands had 51,148 tourists (increasing 9.36 percent).

Increases were also seen in tourists from Canada (8.35 percent) at 23,988, and Italy (32.93 percent) to 22,734.

Tourists from the US — a country still suffering an economic slowdown — also rose. By September, 75,944 Americans had visited the island, an increase of 12.24 percent.

“The increases from Europe and the US are satisfying. The impact of the global economic crisis is over,” Ardana said.

Ardana went on to say that the developing infrastructure, especially the airport and main roads, was a tool to entice tourists. The services and products offered by travel agents were also now more diversified, he added.

“Our members now offer various new tour packages, not only relying on southern Bali,” he said.

Putu Winastra, an ASITA Bali official who usually handles European tourists, said that his guests were tending now to visit areas outside southern Bali.

“They like visiting and staying in quiet places like Ubud, Munduk, Pemuteran, Cansidasa and others,” Putu said.

“Even if they stay in southern Bali, it’s because their flight is scheduled very early or late,” Putu added.

Meanwhile, Bali Tourism Village Communications Forum coordinator Ketut Punia said visits to villages all over the island were increasing. Tourists were starting to stay over when previously they would only stop by for lunch.

“Including in Batubulan, my home village. Many tourists live in, learn dancing, play the drums, etc. Guest houses and villas keep getting customers,” Punia said.