0 Parking, traffic big hurdles for tourism industry

The problems of limited parking spaces and bad traffic in popular destinations have become major challenges for Bali island’s tourist industry. Denna Fahmi, a teenager from Yogyakarta, was disappointed when she failed to witness the stunning sunset at Kuta Beach. “It wasn’t because of bad weather or a cloudy sky, but because of heavy traffic on the way to the beach,” Denna claimed. There is no denying that Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Sanur and Ubud, some of the most popular tourist destinations in Bali, suffer from heavy traffic on narrow streets and a lack of parking spaces.

Ketut Ardana, deputy chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies Association (ASITA), confirmed that traffic and the availability of parking spaces in tourist destinations had become crucial problems facing the tourist industry in Bali. “A large number of hotels and restaurants operating in these areas do not provide adequate parking lots, causing local traffic congestion,” Ardana said. As the result, customers park their cars on both sides of the streets, he said. Perry Markus, secretary of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI), said the availability of parking spaces at hotels and eating establishments would be an important requirement during their assessment process.

The association conducts an annual assessment of its hotel and restaurant members to classify those complying with its standards. “Hotels or restaurants which have no parking spaces will be reevaluated,” said Markus. Both Ardana and Markus urged regional governments to strictly issue regulations requiring tourist facilities — hotels, restaurants, entertainment centers and other establishments — to build adequate parking lots. “It should be related to the issuance of building and operation permits,” the two tourism practitioners agreed. Up to present, there are no sanctions against hotels or other places that do not provide parking facilities.

“Bali must immediately regulate its traffic and parking facilities otherwise people will find the island too crowded and chaotic,” Markus said. The tiny island of Bali welcomed 2.8 million foreign guests and more than 4 million domestic visitors in 2011.

source : bali daily