Barak Obama and family's recent trip to the Indonesian islands of Bali and Java is expected to lead to an increase in tourist numbers

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, July 11, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Tourism in Indonesia has been given a further boost with Barak Obama recently spending a family holiday on the islands of Bali and Java, accompanied by his wife Michelle, and their two daughters Malia and Sasha. This was very much a family trip – as much as that may be possible for the ex-president of the USA. Clearly enjoying the time away, the family undertook a number of activities popular with visitors to Bali and Java.

It is hoped that following his visit, there will a boost in the numbers of tourists choosing to visit Bali, especially from the USA. Tourism in Bali has already seen a dramatic increase in the first five months of 2017, up nearly 24% on the same period in 2016. Broken down by country of origin, tourist numbers from the USA increased by 12.13% when comparing the first five months of 2017 to the same period in 2016, though their overall share fell slightly from 4.32% to 3.91% of overall visitors, according to official government statistics.

It is hoped that the visit of the Obama family will encourage more American tourists to visit Bali. "A good tourism image of Bali will attract more foreign tourists to visit the island," I Made Yuliarta, coordinator of the Pura Gunung Kawi tourist attraction was reported as saying. Furthermore, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya stated that "One of the best endorsements you can get in marketing is from celebrities. They could be an artist or a political figure, and Obama is an international figure. It will have a positive impact” Indonesia as a whole is aiming to attract 15 million visitors this year, with that number rising to 20 million by 2019.

Choosing to stay in the popular Four Seasons Resort in Ubud, a hill town in central Bali, the Obamas were seen out and about during a variety of tours and activities. Particularly well publicized was a white water rafting trip on the Agung River, where the family could be seen smiling and laughing as they navigated the white water rapids. They also visited the Tampaksiring Village, home to the famous Pura Tirta Empul or Holy Water Temple in Gianyar Regency, and the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Looking relaxed throughout, the family were seen taking photos themselves, as well as being the subject of many photos for both tourists and local residents alike.

Other destinations during their Bali stay included Tanah Lot Temple, Panadaw Beach, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua where Obama was seen buying souvenirs and heard speaking some Indonesian. Moving to Java, the Obama family spent time in Yogyakarta, visiting Borobudur, the 9th century Buddhist temple and the ancient Hindu Temple Prambanan. The trip concluded with Barak Obama making a speech in Jakarta at the Indonesian Diaspora Conference.

The holiday marked a return to a childhood home for Barak Obama. He moved to Jakarta in 1967, aged 6 when his mother married an Indonesian man, having divorced from Barak’s father. He lived in Indonesia for four years until he was ten years old, returning to Hawaii to live with his grandparents in 1971. It is during this time that Barak Obama developed a level of proficiency in the Indonesian language and the trip offered him the opportunity to share with his daughters one of his childhood homes.

If like the Obama family, you want to explore Bali, Bali Villas and More offer a wide range of hotel and villa accommodation on the island, and are experts in designing bespoke accommodation and tour packages. You can see the full range of villas on offer at www.balivillasandmore.com

Adam Crispin
Bali Villas and More
1300582556
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