Taken from today's Australian "E-Travel Blackboard":
Qantas preventing Bali's tourism from bouncing back
5/06/2007
Bali's tourism industry suffered a massive blow from the terrorist attacks that occurred in 2002 and more recently in 2005. Although the industry is slowly recovering with an increase in the number of visitors gradually returning to Bali, its tourism industry is suffering another blow.
This time it comes in the form of flights with limited numbers of trips offered between Australia and Bali. After the 2005 Bali bombings, many flights between Australia and Bali were cut due to mass cancellations.
Although Bali's tourism numbers have now bounced back and the island is shedding its reputation as a budget backpackers haunt, it has been reported that many passengers have been waiting months to get suitable flights.
Figures show that foreign arrivals rose 38 per cent to 472,082 during the first four months of this year 2007, marking the strongest start to any year on record.
However, Australian visitors dropped 36 per cent over the same period, in stark contrast to firm numbers from Japan, Europe and emerging markets like Russia.
Michael Burchett, chairman of the Bali Hotels Association and general manager of the Conrad Bali Resort & Spa, said the lack of airline capacity was the biggest hurdle to getting Australians back to Bali.
"The demand is there from Australia, but there's no interest or willingness from Qantas to resume flights," said Burchett.
"It's just ridiculous. Garuda is doing what it can, but it doesn't have the financial strength, so the Australian recovery has been hamstrung by the lack of support from Qantas.
A Qantas spokesperson said an additional flight would be added to the Perth-Denpasar route between August 5 and October 21 this year, but there were no plans at this stage to expand services from any other cities.
"Qantas will continue to monitor the route and make changes as demand increases," the spokesperson said.
However, hoteliers said Australia needed a full-service airline to cater for higher-end tourists and business travellers who were finding a new, fashionable edge to the island.
Adrian Forsyth, general manager of Kuta's mid-range Bali Garden Hotel commented that "Bali is now a luxury destination and while tourism is returning to normal, the airlines have been slow to respond to that.
"We're grateful for Jetstar's entrance into the market, but Bali really needs Qantas to serve this higher-end clientele, who are willing to pay Qantas rates and want Qantas-style service."