INDONESIA consists of over 17,000 islands and yet 90% of British visitors only go to Bali, while most of the remaining 10% head for the neighbouring island of Lombok.
This trend is unlikely to change with the current political instability in Indonesia continuing to deter people from visiting larger islands such as Java, Irian Jaya, Sumatra and Sulawesi.
The British Foreign Office is currently advising against travel to these specific areas and tour operators have scrapped plans to promote these areas for the time being.
Premier Holidays general manager Asia Paul Tilling said:”Over the last 18 months we have pulled back from promoting these because of concern over people’s safety as a result of the political stability in the region.
“Once the presidential elections next month (November) are out of the way and there is more stability we could well start going back to these areas,” he added.
“The situation in the capital)Jakarta is very volatile, but Bali and Lombok have not been affected by any of Indonesia’s political problems.”
Magic of the Orient managing director Tony Champion agreed. “Bali has been very busy and Lombok is still generating quite a lot of sales but people aren’t interested in going anywhere else in Indonesia at the moment.
“We want to reassure people that the trouble is not affecting Bali and Lombok and people are getting on with their holidays,” he said.
Other specialists have advised agents to concentrate on selling Bali and Lombok. Silverbird managing director Jerry Quinn recommends Bali for those looking for value for money and Lombok for repeat visitors.
“Lombok is a completely different country in terms of its culture, geography and scenery,” said Quinn.
Due to the low cost of packages, agents are advised to boost commission by selling pre-bookable excursions.
Options include cultural tours of Bali, side trips to Yogyakarta – the cultural capital of Indonesia – excursions to neighbouring islands and cruising itineraries around the archipelago.
Premier Holidays has a Bali ground-only tour which costs from £199 per person for four nights including two in Ubud, the cultural heart of the island, and two in Candidasa on the east coast.
Magic of the Orient said two-centres combining a beach resort with Ubud were becoming very popular.
“People are staying up to five nights in Ubud now instead of just one or two, and we sell quite a lot of combinations,” said Champion, who added that prices at the moment are very competitive.
A 10-night holiday combining five nights in a three-star hotel on Sanur Beach with five nights in a two-star hotel in Ubud leads in at £828 per person including flights.
Kuoni said its programme is continuing as usual, with passengers simply using the airport in Jakarta for transit to other destinations.
It reported its five-night Spice Island cruise from Bali, which visits Komodo, Lombok and West Flores, is selling well. Prices start from £945 when combined with two nights in Ubud.
Kuoni head of product Francis Torrilla said: “This can be taken on its own or added on to a week’s holiday at a beach resort.”
One island which is beginning to attract British holidaymakers is Bintan which, due to its proximity to Singapore, can be sold as an alternative beach resort to Phuket, Langkawi or Penang.
Bintan has four hotels, including an all-inclusive Club Med, three championship golf courses and a range of water sports.
“Resorts in Malaysia and Thailand are quite busy and we have found a lot of the overflow is going to Bintan because it is only 90mins by boat from Singapore and the short transfer makes it a cheaper destination,” added Tilling.
Premier Holidays has a three-night Bintan extension from Singapore which costs from £189. This price includes the ferry crossing and accommodation.
A five-night single-centre package including flights from the UK starts at £819.
indonesian options
Getting there: Malaysian Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Qantas fly from Heathrow and Manchester to Bali via points in Asia. Garuda offers the only direct flights from Gatwick to Bali. There are flights from Bali to several other islands in Indonesia, and Singapore Airlines’ subsidiary SilkAir has flights from Singapore to Lombok. British Airways’ twice-weekly service from London to Jakarta will end on October 30.
Operators: include British Airways Holidays, Distant Dreams, Explore Worldwide, Hayes and Jarvis, Kuoni, Magic of the Orient, Premier Holidays, Silverbird, Sovereign, The Imaginative Traveller, The Destination Group and Tradewinds.
Flying time: 17hrs.
Time difference: +8hrs.
Visa: not required.
Health: no compulsory vaccinations although those travelling to islands other than Bali should consult a doctor for a list of recommended vaccinations and precautions against malaria.
Weather: tropical climate; December-March is the rainy season; driest months are June- August.