Travelbeat Inside Information Update: February 27, 2008 Australia's Love Affair With Bali Posts 63% Growth Australians' love affair with Bali has surged in the latest calendar year with ABS figures showing a 63% growth in the number of Australians holidaying in Bali, and the "Island of the Gods" establishing itself as Australia's second most popular Asian tourist destination. Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates that 206,427 Australian residents traveled to Indonesia on holiday in 2007 against 126,595 in 2006. The trend has been strong throughout the year and is continuing, said Garuda Indonesia's General Manager, Australia and the Southwest Pacific, Mr Poerwoko Soeparyono. "It's fantastic to see so many Australians travelling to Bali again and we look forward to the time that Bali is again Australia's number one overseas holiday destination," he said. "2007 has been excellent for Bali and for Indonesia internationally, with the success of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) capping off a momentous year for Bali. "More than 10,000 participants from nearly 190 counties gave our MICE business a huge boost and put us right back on the map. "We were also gratified to see that Bali was the first overseas destination of the new Australian Prime Minister Mr Rudd and even our former deputy Prime Minister is choosing to holiday in Bali. "I know that Australians love Bali and the Balinese love Australians. "This strong relationship has helped make Australia Bali's second most popular source of tourists only behind Japan - and this in a year when arrivals are very strong from all around the globe." (by Whyte Public Relations) Back to Front Page