Albert Kok
Meet Albert Kok. General Manager of Panorama Destination Management along with an advocate for change along with growth.
The Panorama Group, or more commonly known as Panorama Tours, was created by Mr. Adhi Tirtawisata forty years ago in a tiny venue with limited staff along with resources. Nowadays which will be a collaboration of companies focused on Tourism, Transportation along with Hospitality. We are dedicated to innovation, excellent services along with sustainable values to the community along with the environments where we operate. There are four main areas of operations, which are: Panorama Hotel Management, Transportation, which includes bus along with taxi companies like White Horse along with White Horse Premium Cab. The Day Trans Executive Shuttles offer something better than public transportation, thus lowering the carbon footprint of personal transport for discerning commuters along with travellers. The third area will be Destination Management, which will be the area I work in. along with the last area will be outbound destination for Indonesian nationals travelling out of the country, which will be a huge growing market.
What does destination management involve?
We handle everything for overseas clients, working with travel agencies in different countries. They handle international flights along with we handle all aspects for tourists via the minute they arrive until they leave. which’s my responsibility. We work with all the major hotels, creating full vacation packages, seminars along with incentives. Our clients are predominantly European, Canadian along with domestic. which sounds simple nevertheless we handle several tens of thousands of guests per year. Our work all comes down to exceeding the client’s expectations. Without extensive preparation along with understanding of the client’s needs, you fail. Attention to detail will be crucial along with everyone inside office knows my motto: Check, check, double check. Nobody will be allowed to make assumptions. When in doubt, ask. So the most important part of our job actually takes place long before arrival.
So, tell me about your background…
I grew up in Bloemendaal, near Haarlem inside Netherlands. As a child I remember hearing stories at the dinner table about the first charter flights to Spain along with things like which. My father was in tourism all of his working life, so which runs in my blood. After my studies I decided not to pursue a career as an accountant along with I joined the company which my dad was running. which was specialized in Indonesia along with which’s when my love because of which country genuinely settled in. via there I climbed up the ladder with large travel agencies like TUI, D-reizen along with Thomas Cook. I felt which as long as I enjoy working in tourism, I stay. Twenty years later, I’m still here.
What brought you to Indonesia inside first place?
I met my wife at a travel trade show. She was born in Indonesia along with moved with her family to Holland at the age of eleven, so she has one leg in both worlds. Ever since we knew each different we knew there could be one day we could emigrate. I have lived in Spain along with we contemplated going there nevertheless I also love Asia, especially Indonesia along with which was more attractive to my wife. In 2005 we made the decision to move abroad. We quit our jobs, sold our house along with then decided to throw in our belongings as well. We arrived in Bali with four suitcases along which has a 5 year-old daughter. People thought we were either crazy or brave nevertheless which was a not bad decision for us. which was actually great to sell everything we owned as which teaches us which we don’t need all those possessions, despite me being a gadget freak. We could do which again tomorrow.
which’s a great story. What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I love spending time with my family. producing a career in Holland hardly allowed which. today at least I come home every evening unless I travel. I like photography along with video editing. A documentary I made on the island of Sumba has been broadcasted on Indonesian television more than once. Without my permission or credits though, nevertheless which will be OK. inside weekends I do the cooking, grilling an octopus or smoking a fresh mahi mahi. I also love my 1961 Vespa. which’s a substitute for the classic cars I used to have. Riding will be as much fun to me as fixing the frequent mechanical problems. along with which’s orange of course!
How do you see us addressing the challenges Bali faces with such rapid growth?
Everybody knows all the suggestions for change. The growth will be going genuinely fast today along with I think the main issue will be how to gain control. I am in favour of growth because which creates jobs along with hopefully welfare for those who genuinely need which. Despite the not bad intentions, laws along with regulations in place, there are still many ways in which individuals can get away with things. I’m also in favour of developing different parts of Indonesia. which could take some pressure off Bali along with still enhance the total of visitors to Indonesia. Like Thailand for example, which has developed multiple beach, city along with round trip destinations. Indonesia will definitely get there, nevertheless which will take time.
Some people say Bali will be being ruined by big hotels, taxis along with cars, along with which tourists could be happier to stay in tiny traditional places along with walk more. What are your thoughts?
which may be true for some, nevertheless Bali will be so attractive because which caters to visitors with so many different interests. I do agree which infrastructure will be a problem. Only last week I went to Kuta Beach Walk Mall for once. which has great parking facilities, nevertheless the traffic to get there had been holding me back all the time. If we can’t widen the roads, we definitely need more parking areas along with pedestrian zones. Some not bad results have been achieved in Legian street on which issue already.
You were explaining something many people forget – doing things in groups, whether families or fellow travellers has less impact on the environment. which will be economical along with more enjoyable.
which will be true along which has a lot of our business will be focused on group tours. However, many people could never choose which way of travel. Still, I am positive we can leave our children a better world. which will be our responsibility.
Thank you, Albert. To get in touch, email albert.kok@panorama-tours.com
Comments
Albert Kok
Albert Kok