Russia to appoint honorary consul in Bali

Andra Wisnu, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar 

In response to the increasing number of Russian tourists coming to Bali, the Russian government will open an honorary consul office in the near future, Russian ambassador to Indonesia says. 

In a meeting with Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika at his office in Denpasar on Friday, ambassador Alexander Ivanov said the new consul would be located at Jl. Ngurah Rai Bypass No. 118A and the honorary consul would be handled by Chairul Nuku Kamka, the chairperson of an association of tour operators in Bali that deals specifically with Russian tourists. 

Nuku Kamka is an ideal candidate because he deals with Russian tourists directly, Ivanov said after the meeting with Pastika. 

Chairul will be Indonesias first Russian honorary consul to Indonesia, a position Russia endowed him in anticipation of the increase in Russian tourists to Bali. 

The number of Russian tourists has been growing over the past couple of years. Ivanov said he expected the number of Russian tourists to Bali to rise to 70,000, an increase from last years 50,000. 

Japanese and Australian tourists traditionally make up the most frequent visitors of Bali. 

As of last August a total of 1,298,046 foreigners visited Bali, with Japan and Australia making up the first and second spot for the islands top five markets for the islands tourism industry, respectively. 

Taiwan, South Korea and China make up the remaining top five markets, while the United States is in 10th place. 

Ivanov said he had discussed with Governor Pastika several services required for Russian tourists, including visa permits and other immigration services. He said he expected the rise in Russian tourists would improve bilateral relations between the two nations. 

Of course its an input to the Balinese economy. But apart from that, its an input to the cross-cultural relations between our countries because Russian tourists are very much interested in Balinese culture and its a great experience for them to know Balis culture, he said. 

He gave the example of a large number of Russian painters who came to Ubud a few weeks ago and stayed for 20 days to capture Balis landscapes and its architectural sensitivity. 

He said the painters will organize a painting exhibition in Moscow soon to show their perception of Bali. It will be so interesting for Russian people and as well as for Indonesian people to see how the Russian artists receive the local balinese nature,he said. 

"(Its) Balis nature through the eyes of Russian painters." 

He said the arrival of the consul would serve as an intermediary party to promote tourism programs for Bali in Russia that could benefit people from both nations. 

"This is very important. This is a very important aspect of our bilateral relations," he said. 

It was the first time a Russian ambassador to Indonesia had visited the islands governor office. 

Pastika welcomed the gesture, saying the honorary consul appointment signified a good level of trust from the Russian government in Balis government. 

Pastika said he hoped both nations relations would extend further to include industrial, trade and cultural cooperations.