As a tourist who spends long holidays on Bali.
I would like to call the attention of the local authorities to the age-long problems that visitors must face at the international arrival area of Ngurah Rai airport.
To begin with, the free trolleys are stored at the very end area, so out of sight that the vast majority of tourists think the airport does not offer this facility.
The cunning porters read the labels stuck onto the suitcases and call the owners by their name inducing them to believe that they are their guides.
Once they have grabbed ( they work in pairs) the ”pray”, they stop at the first money changer and persuade the customer to change money.
The banknotes changed are always the highest denomination, that is 100.000 IDR.
Before the tourists actually meet the official guide the porters have already required a tip of 100.000 IDR EACH SUITCASE!!!.
If the tourist does not want to change, the helpful thugs are willing to accept 10USD or 10 E if not more.
Besides, there is a tacit agreement with the custom officers who do no check the suitcases escorted by the porters.
On the shameful behaviour of the custom officers, there would be a lot to say and will be said on another occasion.
The notice beside the conveyor which says that porterage is not compulsory and the price that should be charged is 2000 IDR each suitcase is almost always overlooked by the exhausted tourists harassed by these infamous porters.
I sincerely do hope that the Balinese Authorities take a swift action ant put an end to this disgusting situation that makes the Bali airport one, if not the most, unwelcoming airport in the world and give visitors the feeling they have landed on the ” Island of thieves “.
Popularity: 47% [?]