28.12.08

Letter: Bali needs serious attention

I have just returned from beautiful Bali after my second holiday this year to the Island. 

On this trip, I began to notice a few things that require the Indonesian government's attention if the tourist industry on Bali is to carry on prospering and earning large amounts of income for the country: 

- Streamline the chaotic arrivals and visa situation at Denpasar airport. 

- Repair all the sidewalks in tourist areas 

- Remove all garbage and litter from the streets and beaches 

- Put in place a rodent (mainly rat) eradication program 

- And ban all non-registered unscrupulous (criminal) money changers. 

I believe the taxes and entry fees paid by tourists should more than adequately cover the cost of implementing the points mentioned above, and then future tourists will return to their prospective country's with a very high regard of Bali as a premier holiday destination. 

BRIAN GUNN 

For weeks now the beaches of Kuta and Legian -- about a 7-kilometer stretch -- have been covered in rubbish. 

I heard that Indonesia will extend its "Visit Indonesia Year" to 2009. 

Do you really think this is attractive to foreign visitors? Besides the fact that they could be arrested for wearing a bikini, they now have to worry about health risks there too!!!) 

You have reporters in Denpasar, but they obviously do not regard this as newsworthy -- which I honestly think is a shame considering your newspaper calls itself independent. 

MICHAEL BEER

Culburra Beach, Australia

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/12/27/letter-bali-needs-serious-attention.html