Promotion slogan `unpopular’ with tourists

Ni Komang Erviani ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Contributor   |  Tue, 02/03/2009 3:40 PM  |  Bali

The island’s tourism slogan, “Shanti Shanti Shanti”, is confusing to residents and tourists despite being introduced one-and-a-half years ago, a personal survey conducted by local writer Ande Putu Setiawan says.

The study, conducted for Putu’s new book, surveyed 300 respondents consisting equally of foreign and domestic tourists and local residents of Kuta, Badung. “Based on the survey, we conclude that the slogan *Shanti Shanti Shanti’ is little known among tourists, and even locals,” Setiawan said in the monthly open house held by Bali Governor at the Bali Provincial Legislative Council in Renon, Denpasar, on Saturday.

Of the foreign respondents, 4 percent favored the slogan and 40 percent said it was the perfect slogan for Bali, known as “The Island of Gods”. Around 20 percent preferred “Paradise Island” as an alternative, 20 percent chose “Inspiring Bali”, and 16 percent “Island of Peace”.

“Most of the surveyed foreign tourists do not know the slogan *Shanti Shanti Shanti’. They don’t know its meaning either,” Setiawan said.

None of the surveyed local tourists and residents in Kuta chose “Shanti Shanti Shanti”.

Some 45 percent of domestic tourists chose “The Island of Gods” and 30 percent “Paradise Island”, and the rest preferred “Inspiring Bali” and “Island of Peace”.

Most residents chose slogans “Island of The Gods” or “Paradise Island”.

Setiawan said he hoped the Bali administration would reconsider the slogan.