While many may welcome a new international airport in Bali, some may say that its positioning leaves a lot to be desired.
Construction has begun on the new facility which is set for a 2022 launch. Bali’s second hub is being touted as the province’s low-cost carrier airport. It is, however, being built on the opposite side of the island, to the consternation of much of the destination’s accommodation and tourism hotspots.
So, the 70 per cent of Australians who fly to Bali with a budget carrier will end up having to pay for and take a long journey to stay in popular spots such as Kuta and Seminyak, and other southern locations.
A journey to Denpasar will take at least 90 minutes, possibly another hour in traffic, potentially turning what was a six-and-a-half hour journey into a nine-hour epic.
“The Australian dollar spent in Bali is critically important to the Balinese economy and the Governor is very aware of that and the last thing he would want to do is upset the thousands and thousands of Australians who are flying themselves with a two-and-a-half hour drive to get to their hotel,” said Indonesia Institute’s Ross Taylor.
“Something like 95 per cent of all arrivals will want to travel south.”
While the south is popular for most Aussie tourists, the second airport is hoped to boost tourism to the underdeveloped northern part of the island.
“Many people want to build tourism destination in the north,” said Indonesian Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi.
Read the full report at Travel Talk.
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