June 18, 2004—The Bali Tourism Board (BTB), in cooperation with the Bali Hotels Association (BHA), this month will survey 10,000 visitors to Bali about visa conditions. In February 2004, the Indonesian government implemented a new visa policy, granting visa free entry to nationals from 11 countries, and visas on arrival for a fee to 21 nationalities.
Upon check-in at any BHA member hotel, guests will be offered a simple questionnaire to complete. The survey gathers details including nationality, date and time of arrival, how visitors’ visas were obtained (abroad or on arrival), cost and type of visa, length of time to obtain the visa, and length of time to clear passport control. Additional questions include reactions to the visa on arrival policy.
“While many have speculated on the impact of the new visa policy, there has been a complete absence of hard data,” said BTB Chairman Putu Antara. “This badly needed survey is the only one of its kind and fills that void.”
BHA Chairman Robert Kelsall added that the survey “is our response to the government’s request for industry reaction to the temporary visa policy.”
The survey data will be compiled by BTB and reported to the government and media by August. Survey cards in English, Japanese and Korean are being distributed to member hotels for immediate implementation. The survey also may be completed online.
