TRAVELCONSUMERDAILY.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010

INDONESIA’S Tourism Minister, Jero Wacik, has urged the state-owned airport operator, PT Angkasa Pura I, to proceed with the redevelopment of Bali airport without delay, citing consumer complaints about facilities in the ageing terminal building.

"Do not postpone it any longer, especially with the number of tourists visiting Bali increasing each year," Jero told the Jakarta Globe yesterday.
"Remember, a survey stated that 70 percent of people who just get off a plane, the first thing they want is the toilet. Do not let people travel all the way from Europe and, once they get into Ngurah Rai Airport, they complain about the dirty toilets," he said.

The minister also warned that the airport expansion must be complemented with an improvement of related services such as immigration and taxi areas.

He said he wanted an expanded airport to contain fewer commercial outlets and better services for arriving visitors.
"If you want to shop, just go to Sukawati market (near Ubud)," he said. "Shop directly from the people."

Bambang Darwoto, director of PT Angkasa Pura I, said the expansion project was still waiting for recommendations from the Bali governor and the head of Badung district.
"Once we get the approval, we will soon announce the tender, and a month after that we can start work," he said.
The expansion would include both international and domestic terminals and other areas such as aprons and runways.