Bali News / Bali Travel and Holiday Updates

Head of Bali Tourism Office (Kadisparda Bali), Ida Bagus Subiksu has asked PT Angkasa Pura I, the operating company of Bali International Airport Ngurah Rai, to properly supervise tourism information centers (TIC) and illegal sales counters at the airport. Those illegal TIC and sales counters often offer Bali tourism products very cheap, even at rationally unacceptable price.

Subiksu believes that the situation potentially affect Bali’s image as a world class tourist desitination. “We expect better supervision on those TIC and sales counters. At least when they propose to lease the space, please make sure that their businesses hold proper legality”, said Subiksu on Monday (May 18th), when he meet the General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I, Heru Legowo, and his executive team in a hearing at Bali Tourism Office (Disparda Bali).

Subiksu who has just took over the leadership of Disparda Bali one and a half months back said that TIC actaully have very strategic function in giving information about Bali as a tourism destination. Unfortunately they violated it by selling tourism prducts. Even worst as they often sell the products in an unbelievably low price.

Advised by the Head of Tourism Human Resource Department, Putu Sudiartha, Subiksu also paid attention to inadequate conduct of Visa on Arrival (VoA) desk. He refers to report that VoA service is not conducted in a comfortable manner for arriving tourists. In rush hours only three desks are open. On the time when arrivals are low, all desks are available.

In response to various inputs he received, Heru Legowo confirmed that he will take necesary actions for improvement, including coordination with the immigration office who is actually responsible in operation of VoA desk. He also expressed his disappointment as similar issue has been complained repeatedly, including by the Vice President, Jusuf Kalla, in his sudden inspection.

Closing the hearing, I Gusti Ngurah Ardita eposed the latest update about preparation for terminal expansion, which at the moment is finalizing the design.