BALI - hopes to be back on its feet by next year

Zeenews.com, Nov 20 2006

The Indonesian tourist island of Bali is hoping to recover completely by next year from terror attacks that have adversely affected its tourism industry.

"Bali is (just) 18 per cent behind the normal situation and, if nothing happens, hopefully we will completely recover next year," Bali Tourism Board Chairman Bagus Sudibya told Bernama here.

Tourist hotspots in the island have witnessed a number of suicide bombings in recent years, resulting in dwindling number of foreign visitors.

At least 26 people were killed at two resort spots packed with tourists on Jimbaran Bay and the bar and shopping hub of Kuta in bomb blasts in October 2, 2005.

Earlier, in October 12, 2002, more than 200 people were killed -- mostly foreign tourists -- in Kuta when a blast occurred in a crowded nightclub.

Sudibya said authorities on the island have embarked on several measures to regain the confidence of tourists.

He said the Governor of Bali has instructed every hotel on the island to include the intake of security personnel in their operating cost.

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