Just Back Assesment of how Bali is recovering!!!
Why are the Balienes doing it tuff?
According to the Dept. of Justice, Bali Direct tourist arrivals for
Jan 2006 was down 22% on Jan. 2005 and Feb. down 26.7%
With the top 6 arrivals for Feb. 2006
Japan 15,353 Taiwan 9,793 Australia 5,843 South Korea 5,463
Malaysia 3,872 United Kingdom 3,818
With an average for Jan. Feb. 2006 being only 25% down on 2005 which was a record year, Why are the Balinese doing it Tuff?
These 2 monthe are usually their quieter months with a build up to July, August and September being Bali's buissiest months, especialy
with Australians.
6 months after the 2002 attack on Bali the occupancy rate of tourists was about 30%. Now 6 months after the 2005 attak it is
about 40%. This was based on talking to quiet a few expats who operate their buissnesses on finding out this type on information and as I was there both times that I state, 6 months after each attack this would be my opinion also.
In my opinion, after the first attack mostly Australians were back and not as many europeans! Australians were defiant.!
This time I noticed many more Europeans from many nationalities and not as many Australians. There were quiet a few from England, the most I have ever come across in 30 trips to Bali, as well as several from Ireland and talking to quiet a few of these people they can't understand why Australians are scared to come back to Bali.
In my opinion and to answer my own question above. Most Asians who visit Bali are on a 3 to 6 day tour and are off in a coach all day sight seeing etc. and you don't see many getting around Kuta shopping all day. The tourists from Europe and the U.K. in my opinion don't buy 20 kilos of shopping each just to lug back home after being charged extra for being over their alloted weight and wonder why they bought something they didn't really need or want in the first place like some of us Australians do!!
Many times in the last couple of weeks i was asked by the locals.
When are the Australians coming back?
To this I could only say, hopefully soon!
One exception of a restaurant doing well was Menega, one of the beach restaurants on Jimbaran Bay where people including Australians were inquired or killed. Last week on a given night this place which is 3 restaurants wide was packed to their limit with others standing and waiting, mostly Asians with about 12 western
people and the Restaurants on either side of Menega were close to empty.
Bali's recovery is doing o.k. and they will survive but the Balinese
wan't to know......When are the Australians returning.
I am not into flamming and will not respond to anyone who does but will respond to any questions...
Cheers Bob