DOMESTIC TOURISTS FLOCK TO BALI`S GUWANG ART MARKET

Bali, Indonesia, Oct 3 (ANTARA) - The number of domestic tourists visiting the Guwang Art Market in Gianyar during the Idul Fitri holidays increased two-fold compared to ordinary days, traders said.
The increase began on September 29 or two days before the first day of Idul Fitri with most of the visitors coming from Java, they said.
"During the past four days, we have had a far greater number of visitors than on ordinary days," said Komang Kurnia, one of the vendors on Friday.
The increased number of tourists during the holidays automatically also boosted the income of traders at the art market.
"Usually, I can only earn up to 200,000 rupiahs in one day. But during the Idul Fitri holidays, my income rose to 700,000 rupiah per day," another vendor, Atik, told ANTARA.
"Thank God, I have been able to sell many things during this holiday season," she added.
However, although the number of visitors increased more than 100 percent, the traders' profits during this year's Idul Fitri holiday season were not as high as in previous years.
"Even though there were more visitors , they spent less than in previous years," Nyoman Kerti, also a vendor, said.
Guwang Art Market is an art market in Gianyar (about 10 kilometers east of Denpasar). The art market was built in 2002 and is now accommodating about 500 traders.
The market has became an alternative destination for people looking for Balinese traditional handicraft articles.
"Every time I come to Bali, I always shop here to buy souvenirs. The prices are quite low and the market is near Denpasar," said Agnes, a visitor from Surabaya.