Thousands of Indonesians are expected to flock to the island to support the Presidential bid of  the very popular Megawati Soekarnoputri who will be on hand with  the 1200 or so official delegates attending the Congress. Roads throughout the island are already  awash with giant red flags proclaiming support for "Ibu Mega" and everywhere convoys of young men hanging from motorbikes and cars can be seen  pledging their undying support for their candidate.

The zenith will be October 8-10 when the actual Congress takes place and mass rallies and parades are scheduled. While all this is very exciting, my guess is that the Balinese will take all this activity in stride. After all, the people of Bali love a  parade or a  public procession and include one in every wedding, burial,  or temple ceremony.  In Bali,  when it comes to parades: The bigger the better.

Security forces working closely with the Congress organizers are taking every step to ensure the Congress goes smoothly without major incident. Tour operators and attractions are planning "business as usual" on these dates with minor changes in departure times and tour routes to avoid any traffic jams and delays that might be caused by political revellers.

Undoubtedly the international media will also be on hand for the coming PDI Congress, video cams at ready trying to encapsulate the entire story of Indonesia's new-found democratic freedom  in a 30 second sound bite. TV news crews will be sent  to the very centre of all the Congress activities with cameras  to  be shoved into the faces of vociferous campaigners who will reciprocate the camera's  attention with suitably wild antics in hopes of making the 6 o'clock news.

Within minutes of these stories being aired,  telephone switch boards at Bali hotels will begin lighting up as worried tour operators, families, and friends of people visiting the island enquire frantically  if loved ones have escaped serious injury.  Disgruntled guests will be pulled from relaxing massage sessions in the hotel's spa or rudely woken from their tropical stupor near the hotel's pool to answer these calls and assure the distant callers that "all is well in paradise."

A few holiday makers will, of course, choose to dramatize the situation on the island, eager to fabricate  a "war story" of their near-miss with danger and death while visiting Bali. Such stories, like the instant analysis appearing on your  TV, will sacrifice truth for the sake of embellishment. The reality, however, based on experience to date, will likely be that the Congress will take place with  the  Indonesians  celebrating their new-found political freedom while largely ignoring foreign visitors. After all, it's their party, not ours.

Speaking of "war stories,"  did I ever tell you about my visit to Chicago in 1968?  Boy, talk about democracy being dangerous in the hands of the uninitiated . . . .

Given the choice of Chicago or Bali politics; I'll take Bali anyday.

Over the coming days stay tuned to your local television station but believe only half of what you hear and a third of what you see.

 

NEW BOOK DETAILS INDONESIAN RESORTS

SUPPORTED by the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Casa Grande and the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board,  "Great Hotels and Resorts of Indonesia (GHRI) 98/99" is a source book containing up-to-date, comprehensive information on many of the best hotels, resorts and destinations in Indonesia, and what they have to offer travel industry professionals and up-market travellers.

A  Web site includes all the GHRI participating hotels with e-mail addresses and other links to respective hotels. The book begins with an introduction to Indonesia, followed by informative hotel features in photographs and text,  essential facts and directory of hotels.

Published by Buku Antar Bangsa (Jakarta) and Editions Didier Millet - (Singapore) GHRI 98/99 promotes the wealth of tourist destinations and high standard accommodation in Indonesia. It is distributed to both travel-trade circles and book shops for the general public throughout Asia.

 

NUSA DUA FESTIVAL SET

Properties  in the Nusa Dua tourism enclave in South Bali will host the Nusa Dua Festival 1998, Nov. 25-Dec. 1. Events and activities, centred at hotels, the Bali Golf & Country Club, and the Amphitheater, include: exhibitions and bazaars, traditional dance including Barong, Ramayana Ballet, Kecak Ramayana, Janger, Frog and Legong; arts and craft displays; contests; bartender shows,  and more. Contact: Andisuari Dewi Nehen, PR manager at Grand Hyatt Bali, Tel: (62-361) 771234, Fax: 772038, E-mail: <ASuari%2076747@mcimail.com>.

 

NEW ZEALANDERS SUCCEED WITH BALI NATURE RESORT

NEW Zealanders Aprile and Hugh Collett have succeeded  in carving a resort out of natural surroundings in the depths of Bali.   Alam Sari, an hour from the international airport, offers airport transfers, a Rajalayan banquet--a multi-course  Balinese meal served by a group of traditionally dressed Balinese waitresses and accompanied by live Balinese music and optional dance performance. Tours to an ordinary, traditional Balinese family home to observe and learn about  the architectural, cultural, social and religious aspects of daily life in a Balinese village. Participants see and have explained the various buildings in the compound, see temple offerings made and then enter the family temple to see them presented. Tour members observe and try their hand at palm leaf decorations and  see coffee growing and tasting a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

"We feel strongly that such visits allow small groups of guests a personalised and meaningful experience of aspects of Bali that larger groups visiting the more developed and popular sites never see," say owners. Other opportunities include  learning  dance, cooking, art, language, architecture and religion.  Using the numerous walking paths and tracks around the village of Keliki, guests can hire mountain bike  trek in the vicinity where the natural beauty and cultural richness of Bali is present around every corner. Visits to many of the cultural and historic centres of the island are well within an hours drive from Alam Sari. White water rafting, bird watching, elephant treks are nearby. Rates from US$55 single/double. Phone/fax (62-361) 240 308, Email: <alamsari@indo.net.id>, Website : <http://www.alamsari.com>

 

BAT MAKES FAMILY, COMBO PACKAGES

BALI Adventure Tours (BAT) recently launched "extra value" and "family" packages combining a variety of products with economical rates. "A Day With the Animals", for example, combines visits to BAT's own elephant park, the Tasman Burung Bali Bird Park and Rimba Bali Reptile Park for US$49 per adult. BAT Rafting, bird park and reptile park are in a $65 package. Cycling, rafting and an elephant safari combine for a day-long experience for $125.   Other combinations are available for $75-$89. Child and family prices apply to jungle treks, elephant park tours, rice paddy trekking, tandem paragliding,  elephant safaris, at various prices from $10 for infant to $175 per family  of two adults and up to four children.

Nigel and Yani Mason have operated BAT since 1989 and maintain a 100 per cent safety record. Tel: (62-361) 721480, Fax: (62-361) 721481, E-mail: <baliadventuretours@bali-paradise.com>, Web: <www.bali-paradise.com/baliadventuretours>.

 

MELIA BALI WINS FOOD FESTIVAL

MELIA Bali Villas & Spa Resort won  the Bali & Beyond Food Festival, Sept. 25-27. The event, held among numerous Bali hotels and restaurants, was sponsored by Bali Promo, the regional Tourism, Art & Culture office, Indonesia Tour Association and Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association. It exposed  food from Indonesia's 27  provinces.

 

INCCA LAUNCHES MICE BRIGADE, LOBBY

THE Indonesian Congress & Convention Association (INCCA) formed late in August, launching "Convene in Indonesia 2000, the organisation's first major industry promotion. "It's definitely  going to be an uphill battle," said Royalindo Convention International executive director Chandra Riupassa. Royalindo is among major MICE players in the industry.

"INCCA's birth marks a commitment to work hand-in-hand with all sectors of society to hasten recovery of Indonesia as the convention and exhibition destination of choice," said INCCA board of directors chairman Iqbal Alan Abdullah.

The organisation forecasts US$ 3 billion foreign exchange earnings for conventions in Indonesia in 2000 and 15 to 20 per cent growth thereafter. Focus for convention cities is on Jakarta, Denpasar, Yogyakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Medan, Batam, Ujung Pandang Manado and Bukittinggi.

INCAA's goals include: lobbying for lifting of travel bans on  Indonesia; lobbying the Indonesian government to increase the list of countries for preferential visa treatment;  to increase open air policy;  to disseminate information to the world that Indonesia is back to normal and to improve security and safety in the country.

 

MZ LAUNCHES TRAVEL CARD

MERPATI Nusantara (MZ) recently launched a Merpati Travel Club International card, giving holders a 10 per cent discount on MZ and Garuda Indonesia flights.

 

GARUDA REDUCES FLIGHTS IN WINTER SCHEDULE

When Garuda Indonesia (GA) launches its winter schedule Oct. 25, it will temporarily close some routes and frequencies to cut costs. It will close its twice-weekly Paris and thrice-weekly Fukuoka service. It will reduce Amsterdam service from six to four times weekly, Sydney from seven to five, Melbourne from seven to five and Perth from 14 to 10. European flights will only use B747-400s, Australia only B737-400s, DC10-30s and A330-300s, the Middle East DC 10-30s and Japan A330-300s, in an effort to consolidate gauge of aircraft. Other Asia flights will use A330-300s, B737-400s and B737-300s.

"GA will close unprofitable routes and only serve them by charter flights," said airline vice president for alliance and marketing development Robert D. Waloni.

J.M. Daniels
Editor/ Vice Chairman PATA BALI CHAPTER
Telephone: 62 - (0) 361 - 286283
Facsimile: 62 - (0) 361 - 286284

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