Why do Aussies go to Indonesia more than once, but only visit Bali? Over and over and over again.
We don’t have an answer to the big Bali question (except the obvious – beaches, parties and familiarity), but it’s a travel habit Indonesia hopes to shake for its biggest international market.
Speaking at a sales mission in Sydney last week, the destination’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Maritime Services, Okto Irianto, said while Indonesia attracts record number of Aussie arrivals every year, they all tend to do the same thing when they get there.
And while he’s not complaining about the interest in Bali, he was wondering why Australians “who visit Indonesia more than once, like 10 times even, are only going to Bali every time”.
As we mentioned above, it’s a familiar beach getaway that Aussies know is sure to provide them with a great time, but Irianto says Indonesia has more islands that offer the same sorts of attractions and more.
Hoping to drive more visitors to these other areas, he said the government recently made some maritime policy changes that opens new islands and ports to the ever-growing cruise industry.
The change allows cruise lines that frequent sail around Asia, such as Royal Caribbean, Star Cruises, P&O Cruises or Princess Cruises, to disembark and embark their passengers at five Indonesian ports. Among them are Belawan and Makassar.
Irianto said this is the first step in relaxing the maritime rules and more islands could open up if there’s enough demand.
“We see cruise as a huge opportunity for new tourism and new business.”
Okto Irianto, Assistant Deputy Minister of Maritime Service
“This is the gold rush for us.”
The government hopes that once cruisers get a taste of destinations outside of Bali, they’ll be keen to go back and experience more on their own.
Irianto added that travellers could spend around 10 months exploring all the 17,000 islands Indonesia has outside of Bali, including Borneo that has Orangutans, Jakarta with its gorgeous Botanical Garden or any number of islands that have dormant volcanoes to explore.
Meanwhile, reports are coming out of Indonesia that a bill has been put to the government to ban distribution and consumption of drinks containing more than one percent of alcohol.
The bill was proposed by the United Development Party and the Prosperous Justice Party to be deliberated by the House of Representatives.
This wouldn’t be the first time conservatives have attempted to ban alcohol from the island. A similar proposal was put forth last year and doesn’t seem to have been pased.