EXCLUSIVE: In the clearest sign yet that the Boycott Bali social media campaign is a major fail, new travel booking data has revealed a big increase in numbers heading to the Indonesian island since the executions of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.
With the help of more direct flights to Bali, bookings from Australian holiday-makers for the winter months climbed 16 per cent on the same period last year. The increase, recorded by travel search engine skyscanner, could mean an additional 48,000 Australians holiday in Bali between June and August this year.
Melbourne residents led the surge with a 26 per cent increase in bookings, while 17 per cent more Sydneysiders locked in Bali getaways. The island remained the most popular choice for Darwinians, and it was the second hottest destination for Adelaideans, and third choice for Brisbane and Perth residents after London and Los Angeles.
The booking surge came on the back of a passionate social media campaign, spawned by Indonesia’s refusal to grant clemency to the two Australian heroin traffickers.
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#BoycottBali hashtag started trending on Twitter in mid-February and also spawned a Facebook page called Boycott Bali for the Boys.
http://www.news.com.au/national/bali-holiday-booking-spree-as-social-media-boycott-campaign-over-bali-nine-executions-ignored/story-fncynjr2-1227388608398
