Great on value and price
NO LONGER the new kid
on the block – Bali is
firmly entrenched as
a South African favourite,
despite the long flight and
lack of a direct connection.
That said, agents need
to brush up on their
knowledge before selling it,
as simple mistakes such as
recommending the wrong area
or activity can make or break
a client’s holiday.
When it comes to
presenting Bali as an
option, one of the easiest
approaches, says Nicole
Stoltz, a travel agent from
Pentravel Cape Gate, is to
recommend it to travellers
who have already been to
Thailand and are looking for
something similar in terms of
value and price.
“Many travellers do not
wish to return to the same
destination, therefore Bali
is a great alternative.”
Selecting the right area
The atmosphere in different
parts of the island varies
greatly, so it’s essential that
agents do proper research
to match their client with the
right area.
As John Ridler, pr
and media manager for
Thompsons Holidays points
out: “Kuta and Seminyak
are favoured by the younger
crowd.”
These areas are ideal for
young travellers who want
budget accommodation and
to be near nightlife, shopping
and markets, adds Nicole.
Glenda Ingram from West
Beach Travel, says Nusa
Dua and Benoa are the best
for beaches and therefore
well-suited to families, and
couples on romantic, relaxed
trips. Nicole says Sanur is
also great for beaches. “Both
are a bit pricey, however; you
pay for direct beach access
and the resort facilities and
activities on offer.”
Despite being inland, Ubud
has huge appeal and is a
great option for yoga and
relaxation.
“It is located right in the
heart of a forest, and you
can view waterfalls, the rice
terraces and monkey forest,”
says Nicole.
“This is a tranquil and
peaceful part of the island.
Everything seems to relax
here and there is also an
excellent market where
you can find some great
bargains and items not
found elsewhere. This is
a destination for couples,
honeymooners, or even young
travellers, as there are many
bars in the town.”
Finally, for surfers, the mostvisited
areas are Uluwatu and
Padang Padang and Balangan
beaches.
Key differentiators
In general, says Glenda,
the East tends to be wellpriced
for rand travellers.
Bali is particularly affordable,
agrees Steven Cooke, sales
manager: Africa for Topdeck,
who says the destination is
“very cost effective on the
ground when it comes to
meals and accommodation”.
But, while price will always
be an important factor for
South African travellers, this
isn’t the only appealing point,
emphasises Steven, who
says the beauty, people and
culture of the destination are
all big drawcards.
Despite being active with
regular eruptions, Bali’s
volcanoes are a great
attraction for travellers,
who can hike to the top of
Mount Batu – a sacred spot
according to Hindu tradition.
It can be summitted in about
two hours by fit hikers who
can join organised tours to
watch the sunrise and enjoy
a breakfast cooked by the
steam of the volcano.
Those who enjoy the
outdoors and wellness will
be impressed with Bali’s
surfing, yoga and healthy food
choices, says Glenda.
How does it compare with its competitors?
While there are some
similarities between
Bali and Thailand, the
destinations are also very
different, each offering its
own unique cultures, sights
and attractions. John Ridler
of Thompsons Holidays,
says many travellers
perceive the pace in Bali
to be slower and more
relaxing. “The atmosphere
in Bali is less commercial.”
Nicole Stoltz of Pentravel
Cape Gate says: “Having
been to Bali, I would say
it does have its busy
areas such as Kuta and
Seminyak, but even these
areas can offer some
peace, provided you find the
right hotel or resort for your
clients – especially those
who are on a bit of a tight
budget.”
Another reason travellers
may opt for Bali is that
it’s just one island with
relatively short distances
between various places that
can all be included in one
trip, says Glenda Ingram
of West Beach Travel.
Destinations like Thailand
require island hopping.
Agents’ top tips for clients
“WATCH the sunset from
Jimbaran Beach – the area
is well-serviced by multiple
restaurants and vendors
selling food and beverages
along the beach,” –
John Ridler, Thompsons
Holidays.
“Take a day tour of Lembongan
Island for stunning snorkelling
and explore the island.
Lembongan is only 40 minutes
by speedboat and lets
visitors experience a small
rustic island. For the more
adventurous, Gili islands are
two-and-a-half hours from Bali
by boat. Here you can enjoy
some of the best snorkelling
and diving and really get a
feel for island life. Another
tip is to go and drink Kopi
Luwak coffee – this is some
of the most expensive coffee
in the world and really is
worth it! You can also enjoy
herbal tea tastings and more
whilst there.” – Nicole Stoltz,
Pentravel Cape Gate.
Take a bike!
A ‘Cycling Indonesia’s Islands’ tour from Earth Wanderer
sells from R25 540pps. It offers 13 days’ cycling through
rural Bali and eastern Java on roads and dirt tracks.
Cyclists traverse rice paddies, jungles and plantations,
volcanoes and villages. The price covers 12 nights’
accommodation with all breakfasts, 10 lunches, three
dinners and bike hire. Valid until September. (See TI)
Need-to-know travel basics
HOW well do
you know Bali?
TNW rounds up
some of the
most important
information for
agents to know
when selling the
destination.
Accessibility
Like many
destinations in
the East, says
John Ridler of
Thompsons
Holidays, travel
is via one of the nearby
hubs, many of which offer
the potential for a fun
stopover. Popular airline
options include Singapore
Airlines, Emirates, Qatar and
Cathay Pacific.
Sally George, market
development manager for
South Africa for Singapore
Airlines, says with just 13
hours and 40 minutes’ travel
time from Johannesburg
via Singapore to Bali, the
airline offers one of quickest
options. “We operate daily
flights from JNB and CPT
(flights are via JNB) to
Singapore. This will increase
to 10 flights a week from
JNB to SIN for two months
from July 1 to August 31.
Singapore Airlines operates
four daily flights between SIN
and DPS. SilkAir, our regional
wings, also operates a daily
service between SIN and
DPS,” she says.
When it comes to travelling
around the island, it’s
probably best to book your
clients on an organised tour
as the roads can be very
congested, with hundreds of
motorcycles, trucks and cars.
It’s also important to stress
that your clients will need
to have a valid international
motorcycle
licence if they
are planning to
hire a scooter
or motorbike,
as there are
police stationed
across the
island who will
request proof.
Otherwise,
says Nicole
Stoltz of
Pentravel Cape
Gate, those
staying in areas
like Kuta or
Seminyak will probably find it
easy to hail a taxi.
Infrastructure
Despite opening a new
international terminal in
2013 and a domestic
terminal in 2014, Bali’s
airport, known as Ngurah
Rai International Airport, is
struggling to keep up with
demand. Current capacity
is around 20 million
passengers per year, and it
is already at its maximum.
There are plans to build a
new airport in the northern
part of Bali to cope with
the growing numbers of
air passengers. Shopping
centres are located in Kuta,
Legion and Nusa Dua – all in
southern Bali, but shopping
at the informal markets
is a traveller highlight and
possible in all tourist areas.
Entry regulations
South African passport
holders do not need to
acquire a visa ahead of
travel and can obtain a
30-day visa on arrival. As
usual, the passport must be
valid for six months from the
arrival date and have at least
two blank pages. Travellers
should also have proof of
accommodation and return
ticket with them in case it
is requested. For stays of
30 days or more, visitors
will need to apply for a visa
beforehand.
Special precautions
The rainy season runs
from October to March, so
travellers who feel strongly
about avoiding rain should
try and travel outside this
period. However, Nicole
points out that it tends not
to rain for a full day, but
rather there are scattered
showers.
Travellers should be
mindful of Bali’s cultural
traditions and practices.
“Every morning, the Balinese
people will perform their
blessings and take part
in ceremonies throughout
the year. This is evident
in many of the temples
found throughout the
island, some of which are
not open to members of
the public and only open
during ceremonies,” adds
Nicole. “You can enter
other temples, however you
must cover your legs out of
respect,” she says, advising
that travellers should avoid
beachwear or revealing
attire when planning to visit
religious sites.
Finally, when shopping at
markets, you should advise
your clients to prepare to
bargain and negotiate. “This
is normal practice for the
Balinese people and they
encourage it. It can be
intimidating at first, coming
from our ‘this is the price,
take it or leave it’ culture.
However, in Bali the only
prices pre-set are those
found in actual shops and
quoted by more established
tour operators,” says Nicole.
Book it!
From Azure Travel comes ‘11 Days Bali Romance’, valid from July 1-October 31. There are three resorts
to select from (with land rates quoted). Parigata Resort from R5 895pps; Grand Inna Kuta Beach
from R7 770pps; and Sadara Boutique Resort from R8 410pps. The rates include return airport-hotel
transfers, 10 nights’ accommodation in standard double rooms, breakfast daily, two full-day tours and a
half-day tour, along with the full assistance of a local representative.
A Club Med Bali special runs from June 1-23 at R19 312 land only, and includes seven nights in
premium accommodation based on a Club room, breakfast, lunch, dinner and scheduled snacks, a wide
choice of land and water sports, evening entertainment and basic travel insurance for under-69s.
Thompsons Holidays currently has a seven-night special at the five-star Melia Bali Villa & Spa, running
until July 14 and priced from R19 826pps ex-Johannesburg. It includes return flights with airline levies,
transfers, accommodation, breakfast daily, two full-day and a half-day excursion. As a bonus, there’s a
bottle of wine or a voucher for a Balinese massage.
Perfect Destinations has the following offers at four-star and four-star plus properties:
Ossotel Legian Hotel, Kuta from R14 220pps (valid May 1-June 21; September 16-November 30).
Value-adds: set dinner for two and Beach Club facilities.
Segara Village Hotel from R16 690pps (valid May 1-June 21; September 1-November 30). Value-adds:
a lunch for two, daily afternoon tea and cake, beach bag per room.
Bali Tropica Resort & Spa, all-inclusive from R21 565pps (valid October 1-31).
See Travelinfo for more information.
