More Chinese Tourists Forecast To Arrive In Bali During Imlek

Denpasar, Bali (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian Tourism Industry Association`s (GIPI`s) Bali chapter has forecast an increase of up to 12 percent in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Bali during the Lunar New Year, locally known as Imlek.

"During the long Imlek holidays, the number of Chinese tourists always surges at an average of 12 percent," GIPI`s Bali chapter Chairman Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya stated here, Thursday.

Due to the influx of Chinese tourists, the occupancy rate of the island`s hotels is also expected to increase during the current, supposedly lean season.

However, Ngurah stated that Chinese tourists usually do not stay long in Bali. A Chinese tourist, on an average, spends less than US$100 per day and stays for up to two or three days on Bali Island.
"Chinese tourists are still categorized under mass tourism and not yet under medium or high tourism," he noted.

China is a potential market for Indonesia. On an average, more than 100 million Chinese travel overseas every year. Seven international airways serving 34 international routes have increased their flight frequency during the Imlek holidays.

Foreign airlines offering flights from China to Indonesia are Hong Kong Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, and China Southern. Chartered flights, with a total capacity of 8,364 seats, are being operated by Xianmen Airlines and Execujet. (WDY)