0 Bali among ASEAN’s top destinations

Of all the beautiful destinations in Southeast Asia, Bali is among the most popular, according to survey data from the Bali Tourism office. Ida Bagus Kade Subhiksu, head of the Bali Tourism office, said that of the 3.2 million foreign visitors who came to the island in 2013, 70 percent were on vacation, while the rest came for business, conventions or exhibitions.   

In 2013, his office launched a survey involving 1,000 foreign visitors. The survey found that 41.1 percent of respondents said Bali was their top choice for a holiday destination in Southeast Asia. Around 20.9 percent picked Thailand; 15.4 percent chose Singapore; 7.2 percent Vietnam; 5.7 percent Malaysia; 3.3 percent Cambodia; and 2.9 percent the Philippines. 

In a related survey on meeting incentive convention and exhibition (MICE) destinations, Bali was the third most popular site, with 23.8 percent naming it their top choice, after Thailand (28.6 percent) and Singapore (33.3 percent). Recent large-scale infrastructure projects including the renovation and expansion of Ngurah Rai International Airport, toll roads and underpasses have eased crowds at the airport and traffic on main roads connecting tourist spots on the island. 

“But, at the time when we conducted the survey, those projects were still underway and often causing disruptions to visitors,” Subhiksu said. The survey also highlighted the positive and negative aspects of the island as a tourist destination. The majority of respondents considered Bali an island rich in culture and natural wonders with top-rated hotels, resorts, spas and shopping venues. 

The negative points related to airport services, immigration services, ongoing traffic jams and sanitation problems. “With the completion of the airport’s renovation and expansion, it is expected tourists will get better services,” said Subhiksu. Stephanie Gunawan, an analyst at Bank Indonesia (BI), shared the results of a 2012 survey by the central bank, which found that 93.71 percent of visitors who came to Bali in May 2012 were there for holidays. 

Bagus Sudibya, who has worked in tourism for years, said Bali still was strongly positioned as Indonesia’s main gateway. Around 35 percent of foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia entered via Ngurah Rai airport. Visitors only come to Jakarta for business and formal trips, he said. Meanwhile, Subhiksu said Bali continued to garner international attention, such as the award for “Island Destination of the Year,” given at the China Travel and Meeting Industry Awards 2013. 

Conde Nast Traveler had also named Ubud as the best city in Asia at its Reader’s Choice Awards. “Hotels and spas in Bali have also received prestigious awards on the international stage,” Subhiksu said.

source : bali daily