By Mak Ying Kwan
INDIAN buyers are forecasting up to 40 per cent growth in the number of subcontinent visitors to Indonesia, in particular, Bali.
All said, the visa-on-arrival for Indian passport holders has been a “very big help” in selling the destination.
Travel Corporation (India) director, Ms Nalini Gupta, said: “This is a big advantage for Indonesia.” In 2005, Indonesia included India on its list of countries eligible for visas-on-arrival.
Delhi-based P Impex Travel and Tours president, Mr J S Anand, said: “If a traveller applies for a visa at the Delhi consulate, he would have to pay about US$50 for a three-month visa and it takes 48 hours. Visa-on-arrival for a seven-day stay costs about US$10 and of course it is faster and more convenient. The average Indian traveller stays between four to seven days, so this is a very good arrangement.”
He forecast a 25 per cent increase in business in 2007 compared to 2006.
“My projection is for a 35 to 40 per cent increase in 2008.”
Harshil Tours and Travels partner, Mr Harshil Shah, said his agency, which is located in Mumbai, sent between 50,000 to 70,000 people to Indonesia in 2006. In 2007, he hopes to boost the number to 100,000.
Indonesia’s travel-friendly move comes at a time when India’s economy is booming and more travellers are seeking new holiday destinations.
Ms Gupta said: “Those who live in the second- and third-tier cities in India are beginning to be interested in international travel. These cities do not have consulates and travellers may find it a little troublesome to apply for a visa in the main cities. So by giving visa-on-arrival, the destination becomes very attractive for this growing group of potential travellers.”
Avenues India CEO, Mr Vishwas Patel, added: “Indians are already familiar with Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand.
“They are looking for new destinations.”
According to Indian buyers at the recent PATA Travel Mart in Bali, the island had jumped to become one of their top outbound destinations. Mr Patel said: “There has been a 200 per cent increase in the number of honeymoon packages we sell to Bali. It is the top honeymoon destination now.”
His company sold about 20 to 25 honeymoon packages for each wedding season (May and December) in the past,
but this has increased to about 75 packages per season. The average expenditure per honeymoon couple is US$2,000 to US$2,500.
Avenues India manager, international marketing, Mr Manish Gidwani, said one of Bali’s attractions for this segment was its quality and reasonably priced accommodation. “Hotels are very expensive in India. For less than what they would have to pay back home, a couple can get a spacious villa with private pool.”
The company is interested in high-end properties with a unique design, architecture or services, such as the C151 Smart Villa in Bali. “Indians like to experience something they do not have in their own country”, Mr Gidwani said.
Bali’s Hindu culture also makes the island “a very comfortable place” for Indian travellers.
Families and incentives are other segments Indian buyers said they were attracted to Bali, which they found offered good value for money.
Many buyers said the lack of direct flights from India to Indonesia was an impediment, but Garuda Indonesia announced it would start direct flights from India to Indonesia next year.
Buyers also called on the Indonesian NTO to be more active in promoting the destination in India.
It is “not aggressive enough”, according to Travel Corporation’s Ms Gupta.
Impex’s Mr Anand said: “When Indians think of Indonesia, they think only of Bali and Jakarta. The NTO has to put in the time, effort and money to promote the destination in India. It is a big potential source market.”
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