Groups Reroute Bali Itineraries

Meetings & Conventions: Incentive News

Groups Reroute Bali Itineraries

Until the terrorist bombing that killed nearly 200 tourists in Kuta in October, Bali was a popular incentive spot. But in the wake of the tragedy, the Indonesian island’s appeal has been seriously jeopardized.

At press time, hotel occupancy rates had plummeted by 10 percent. At the Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort & Spa, incentive programs through 2003 have been canceled, according to Paul Czuba, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing.

Destination managment firm Pacific World reported that several clients having programs scheduled for just after the bombings rerouted from Bali to places such as Thailand and Vietnam.

At press time, the DMC, with seven North American incentive programs to Bali booked for 2003 and three for 2004, had not received further cancellations, according to Jane Schuldt, Pacific World’s North American rep.

“There doesn’t seem to be the knee-jerk reaction of canceling outright as there was after 9/11,” Schuldt said.

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