FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robert Kelsall
BALI, INDONESIA, October, 27 2004—More than 50 percent of respondents to a recent survey indicate that “definitely, probably or maybe” their decision to return to Indonesia again is impacted by the current visa policy. Such opinions are among findings compiled by Bali Hotels Association (BHA), in response to government appeals for statistical information and feedback relating to the implementation of the February 2004 visa policy.
BHA, Bali’s group of star rated hotel and resort general managers, officially presented its findings today to Bali Tourism Office Director Gede Nurjaya. The report came from a survey conducted recently in which 10,000 questionnaires were distributed through 55 member hotels to arriving international visitors upon hotel check-in. Data was compiled by the Bali Tourism Board, as an independent, unbiased body, from the 21 percent of surveys completed and returned.
Survey respondents had already made a decision to come to Bali despite the implementation of the new visa policy. A survey conducted by BHA prior to the visa policy implementation indicated that 62 percent of respondents would not return should the policy be implemented. An online travel industry survey conducted previously by BHA indicated that 54 percent of agents felt the visa policy directly impacts bookings to Bali, steering visitors to other destinations.
The newly released report reveals that a significant number of visitors experienced inconvenience through delays in the visa process, particularly those whom were required to apply for a visa prior to visiting Bali. In principle, the survey reflected little opposition to charging a visa fee but there was notable opposition to the process. Survey analysis indicates that key markets such as Japan and Taiwan show a high level of dissatisfaction in the efficiency of processing visas. There is a direct correlation in the declining number of arrivals from countries whose nationalities indicated greater inconvenience in visa processing. And where Bali has seen market decreases, particularly from Europe and Scandinavia, Thailand has seen a correlating increase.
“Arrival statistics indicate a recovery of tourism to Bali,” said Robert Kelsall, Chairman of Bali Hotels Association. “But, we are creating a precarious situation, with Bali’s source markets becoming more limited as we experience declines in key source markets which historically produce quality visitors who stay longer and consequently spend more.”
Key Findings
· Efficiency: Overall, efficiency is lacking in service and processing, with 20 percent of all respondents unhappy, 25 percent of Japanese and 31 percent of Dutch
· Courtesy: Nearly all respondents found airport services discourteous
· Convenience: More than half of all respondents felt inconvenienced, with the Dutch, Germans and Japanese feeling most put out
· Information: 20 to 30 percent knew nothing of the new visa regulations, while more than half of Japanese found the airport process confusing—even Dutch and Australians complained bout the unclear process and unclear information at the airportWelcome: 30 percent of overall respondents felt unwelcome by the new procedure—that went up to 46 percent for Dutch and 60 percent for Japanese
BHA, Bali’s group of star rated hotel and resort general managers, officially presented its findings today to Bali Tourism Office Director Gede Nurjaya. The report came from a survey conducted recently in which 10,000 questionnaires were distributed through 55 member hotels to arriving international visitors upon hotel check-in. Data was compiled by the Bali Tourism Board, as an independent, unbiased body, from the 21 percent of surveys completed and returned.
Survey respondents had already made a decision to come to Bali despite the implementation of the new visa policy. A survey conducted by BHA prior to the visa policy implementation indicated that 62 percent of respondents would not return should the policy be implemented. An online travel industry survey conducted previously by BHA indicated that 54 percent of agents felt the visa policy directly impacts bookings to Bali, steering visitors to other destinations.
The newly released report reveals that a significant number of visitors experienced inconvenience through delays in the visa process, particularly those whom were required to apply for a visa prior to visiting Bali. In principle, the survey reflected little opposition to charging a visa fee but there was notable opposition to the process. Survey analysis indicates that key markets such as Japan and Taiwan show a high level of dissatisfaction in the efficiency of processing visas. There is a direct correlation in the declining number of arrivals from countries whose nationalities indicated greater inconvenience in visa processing. And where Bali has seen market decreases, particularly from Europe and Scandinavia, Thailand has seen a correlating increase.
“Arrival statistics indicate a recovery of tourism to Bali,” said Robert Kelsall, Chairman of Bali Hotels Association. “But, we are creating a precarious situation, with Bali’s source markets becoming more limited as we experience declines in key source markets which historically produce quality visitors who stay longer and consequently spend more.”
Key Findings
· Efficiency: Overall, efficiency is lacking in service and processing, with 20 percent of all respondents unhappy, 25 percent of Japanese and 31 percent of Dutch
· Courtesy: Nearly all respondents found airport services discourteous
· Convenience: More than half of all respondents felt inconvenienced, with the Dutch, Germans and Japanese feeling most put out
· Information: 20 to 30 percent knew nothing of the new visa regulations, while more than half of Japanese found the airport process confusing—even Dutch and Australians complained bout the unclear process and unclear information at the airportWelcome: 30 percent of overall respondents felt unwelcome by the new procedure—that went up to 46 percent for Dutch and 60 percent for Japanese
· Processing Time: Most applying for visas at embassies abroad took more than one to two full weeks to get a visa. While the target time for processing at the airport is 10 minutes, the average wait time for those surveyed was 25 minutes. For Taiwanese, the average waiting time at the airport is 48 minutes.
· Cost: Although visa costs on arrival were stable, visas at embassies range from US$36 to $72, averaging $53.
· Return to Bali: more than half indicated the new process would probably/definitely/maybe deter them from returning to Indonesia.
VOA Background
The new policy, which was instituted in February 2004, limits visa-free entry to tourists from 21 countries, down from the previous list of 60 countries. Tourists from nine countries and two regions which extend similar privileges to Indonesians do not need visas: Brunei, Chile, Macau, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
Three-day visas for US$10 and 30-day visas for US$25 are issued on arrival to nationals from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Citizens of countries not on either list must apply for a visa at an Indonesian embassy abroad, prior to arrival.
Summary
. A significant proportion of respondents encountered delays visa processing, whether at the airport or embassies abroad
. A higher level of dissatisfaction is noted for nationalities who had to apply for a visa before departing their country
. The queuing time target of 10 minutes for visa on arrival has not been met
. While some objection to the principal of charging fees was recorded, more significant is the inefficiency of the process
. Group handling procedures at the airport are slow and inefficient
. It can be deduced that the reduction in visitors from certain markets is directly related to the difficulty in that market obtaining a visa in their own country; a 30 percent shortfall in arrivals from Europe is noted in 2004 when compared to 2001
. Recent arrival statistics indicate that the current situation is severely limiting Bali’s source markets and that Bali is becoming highly dependent on a smaller number of markets with lower average length of stay and less spending per stay
. Competitor destinations, such as Thailand, have seen an increase in markets in which Bali has experienced a decrease—indicating that visitors are choosing competitor destinations
. Key markets such as Japan and Taiwan registered the highest levels of dissatisfaction with the current visa process
. The current Ministry of Foreign Affairs website’s information makes no mention of the new visa policy and still mentions a “visa free short term visit” of up to 60 days on arrival
. The key principle of only issuing free visas to countries who reciprocate is acceptable, however it is unclear about discrimination between those entitled to VOA and those that need to apply through their embassy before departure
BHA Recommendations to the Government
. Keep it simple and easy for key markets to obtain a visa
. Keep the visa process clean, efficient and transparent to the benefit of the destination
. Extend visa on arrival facilities to countries which have historically supported Indonesian tourism, including but not limited to the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Greece, Austria
. Improve the operational efficiency for visa processing, whether on arrival or at Indonesian embassies
. Visas could be made available through nominated travel agents or via the Internet
. Extend visa duration to 60 days or at least make the 60-day visa an option available at a surcharge to encourage longer-staying marketsMake visa extension available in Indonesia from 30-day to 60 without having to exit
· Cost: Although visa costs on arrival were stable, visas at embassies range from US$36 to $72, averaging $53.
· Return to Bali: more than half indicated the new process would probably/definitely/maybe deter them from returning to Indonesia.
VOA Background
The new policy, which was instituted in February 2004, limits visa-free entry to tourists from 21 countries, down from the previous list of 60 countries. Tourists from nine countries and two regions which extend similar privileges to Indonesians do not need visas: Brunei, Chile, Macau, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
Three-day visas for US$10 and 30-day visas for US$25 are issued on arrival to nationals from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Citizens of countries not on either list must apply for a visa at an Indonesian embassy abroad, prior to arrival.
Summary
. A significant proportion of respondents encountered delays visa processing, whether at the airport or embassies abroad
. A higher level of dissatisfaction is noted for nationalities who had to apply for a visa before departing their country
. The queuing time target of 10 minutes for visa on arrival has not been met
. While some objection to the principal of charging fees was recorded, more significant is the inefficiency of the process
. Group handling procedures at the airport are slow and inefficient
. It can be deduced that the reduction in visitors from certain markets is directly related to the difficulty in that market obtaining a visa in their own country; a 30 percent shortfall in arrivals from Europe is noted in 2004 when compared to 2001
. Recent arrival statistics indicate that the current situation is severely limiting Bali’s source markets and that Bali is becoming highly dependent on a smaller number of markets with lower average length of stay and less spending per stay
. Competitor destinations, such as Thailand, have seen an increase in markets in which Bali has experienced a decrease—indicating that visitors are choosing competitor destinations
. Key markets such as Japan and Taiwan registered the highest levels of dissatisfaction with the current visa process
. The current Ministry of Foreign Affairs website’s information makes no mention of the new visa policy and still mentions a “visa free short term visit” of up to 60 days on arrival
. The key principle of only issuing free visas to countries who reciprocate is acceptable, however it is unclear about discrimination between those entitled to VOA and those that need to apply through their embassy before departure
BHA Recommendations to the Government
. Keep it simple and easy for key markets to obtain a visa
. Keep the visa process clean, efficient and transparent to the benefit of the destination
. Extend visa on arrival facilities to countries which have historically supported Indonesian tourism, including but not limited to the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Greece, Austria
. Improve the operational efficiency for visa processing, whether on arrival or at Indonesian embassies
. Visas could be made available through nominated travel agents or via the Internet
. Extend visa duration to 60 days or at least make the 60-day visa an option available at a surcharge to encourage longer-staying marketsMake visa extension available in Indonesia from 30-day to 60 without having to exit
Bali Hotels Association is a professional association of star-rated hotels and resorts in Bali.
Members include general managers from 58 hotels and resorts,representing 13,131 hotel rooms and 19,394 employees in the Bali hotel sector.
Bali Hotels Association Chairman Robert Kelsall, left, presents the published findings of the associations’ 2004 survey among arriving international tourists concerning Indonesia’s Visa on Arrival Policy Survey. Kakanwil Pariwisata Gede Nurjaya, chief of Bali’s Tourism Office, received the report to review with Bali Governor Dewa Beratha.
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