Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2011-01-31)

LAST week’s flight disruptions to Bali due to Mount Bromo volcanic activity have not affected forward bookings to the island, with industry players still expecting a hectic Chinese New Year holiday period.

Bali Tourism Board chairman I Gusti Ngurah Wijaya said: “Arrivals to Bali this February will be higher than the same period last year. Chinese New Year is approaching and it looks like we will be pretty busy.”

Discovery Kartika Plaza Bali’s bookings over the long weekend remain at a “high 80 to 85 per cent”, according to director of sales and marketing Alice Matulessy, while Hotel Santika Premier Beach Resort Bali’s sales manager Komang Emmy Aryanti said their occupancy would be around 90 per cent.

Increased volcanic activity from Mount Bromo forced 45 regional and international airlines to cancel, divert or delay their flights last Thursday and Friday (TTG Asia e-Daily, January 28). Thousands of foreign tourists, mostly from Australia, were stranded.

All international flights have resumed since Saturday, according to Denpasar International Airport’s air traffic operations manager Ketut Subamia.

“When the airlines are flying, that means the condition is safe and tourists are confident of travelling,” explained Tour East Indonesia director Eddy Putra.