Australia’s travel advisories always raise a few questions. They have been a particular irritant in the relationship with Indonesia, but the impact they have is curious.

The first line of the current travel advice to Indonesia reads:

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack.

And what impact does that have on travel to Indonesia?

New record high visitor levels apparently — the vast majority of which are to Bali. Even Opposition Leader Tony Abbott admitted yesterday he had ignored the travel warning twice to go on holidays to Bali. So, if despite the fairly dire advisory, travel to Indonesia is increasing what is everyone complaining about? …click here to read more

Popularity: 15% [?]

TOURISTS entering Bali through Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai airport are facing growing delays getting through the long visa queues with booming numbers arriving from source markets like Australia.

The Australian intake grew by 39% last year and is now the largest foreign tourism market for Bali, with more than 500,000 arrivals.

Tourism authorities are trying to decide what can be done to reduce queues in busy arrival periods, like the daily afternoon peak between 2pm and 5pm.

Bisnis Bali reports that, even though there are a total of 26 visa-on-arrival counters at the airport, delays of as much as two hours are being encountered by those landing during the peak.

Bali Update says as many as 1200 passengers land between 2pm and 5pm. Assuming an average of 2.5 minutes to process each visa-on-arrival and the full operation of 26 visa counters, it can take up to two hours just to clear the visa purchase process. …click here to read more

Popularity: 43% [?]

February 16,2010 - The Dalwallinu community, 250 km North-East of Perth in Western Australia, today celebrated the official opening of two community infrastructure projects which will give a boost to tourism in the area.

The Dalwallinu community, 250 km North-East of Perth in Western Australia, today celebrated the official opening of two community infrastructure projects which will give a boost to tourism in the area.

Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government Anthony Albanese said that the Rudd Labor Government provided $100,000 to the Shire of Dalwallinu for the two projects from the $1 billion Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

“The Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program is a key part of our Economic Stimulus Plan and is delivering local jobs in communities across Australia by building infrastructure for the long term,” Mr Albanese said.

“During construction these projects employed ten local tradespeople, as well as three fitters contracted from Perth and a local air conditioning fitter, keeping people in work and supporting local businesses.” …click here to read more

Popularity: 43% [?]