Economic crisis blessing in disguise for Bali: Gde Wiratha.

from THE JAKARTA POST -- THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008 -- PAGE 25 At a time when Bali is being haunted by gloomy prospects due to the possible impact of the global economic crisis, a noted local businessman has expressed hope.

I Gde Wiratha, chairman of the Bali Chamber of Commerce and Industry, seems unperturbed by the thought of mass layoffs in the tourist industry on the island mainly as a result of numerous cancellations at a number of star-rated hotels, or other depressing pictures in other sectors.

The thing is that it apparently affects only those in Jakarta, who will bear the biggest brunt of the crisis, as people in the provinces still manage to go …