Shattered hopes

I was extremely saddened to learn about the latest bombings in Bali, with more Australians, Balinese and other nationalities being killed and many seriously hurt. The entire CIM team wishes to express its sympathy for all those involved, together with their families and friends.

Over the past couple of years the industry in Bali has worked hard to build up the business tourism end after being decimated by the events of 2002. Now the Balinese convention industry must be in despair at all their good work and goodwill going down the drain. The hotels that concentrate on westerners for their business will find that it's not only the Australians who will reconsider visiting - it will be the Europeans as well, which only spells disaster for years to come for the C&I sector.

I think I’m right in saying that conference delegates have not been injured there to date, probably because of hotel security or just plain good luck. However, it does put all conferences and incentive programmes on alert, bringing to the fore the same old problem: to go overseas or not for future meetings.Personally, I think Australia is just as vulnerable as anywhere else. Life and business have to move forward, and so long as we don’t become complacent about security there is little else we can do.

PUBLISHER