BALI UPDATE #150 - 02 August 1999

IN THIS UPDATE

- Bali Hilton
- Bali: Warning Bells
- Bye-Bye Billboards?
- Ibu Cenik to Perform
- Forest Fires on Borneo
- Indonesian Export Gallery Opens In Bali
- E! Entertainment to Air "Wild on Bali"
- Mandalissimo Bali Night In Tokyo
- Indonesia's 54th Anniversary: August 17
- Indonesians On The Road Again?
- Health Meditation Course Taught by Merta Ada

BALI HILTON

Edition #149 of the Update carried a report on a dispute reported by Hilton International regarding its 5 properties in Indonesia. Last week, in a very strongly worded press release, Hilton International stated that it had withdrawn from its international sales and marketing distribution agreement with the Indonesian properties and would not handle international reservations for the hotels in Indonesia until the matter was resolved. The Hilton International's press release also mentioned a separate dispute on matters of general management, disclaiming responsibility for service standards until those issues were resolved.

Obviously, corporate relations between Hilton International and its local Indonesian partners have seen better days.

As far as Bali is concerned, however, it appears to be "business as usual" at the Bali Hilton. Whatever discussion may be taking place behind the closed doors of corporate board rooms, the "Hilton" name still remains on the Bali property; the people on the ground running the hotel - both expatriate and local - remain the same; by all accounts the passengers are still enjoying their holidays; and the hotel still enjoys the highest star rating available for an Indonesian hotel.

In Bali, smart visitors still say "Take me to the Hilton."

To assist anyone who may be encountering problems trying to book the Bali Hilton via the Hilton reservations system, we suggest you make direct contact by telephone at 62 - (0) 361 - 771102, facsimile 62-(0) 361 - 771615. E-mail to salesbali@balihilton.com

BALI: WARNING BELLS

At the recent Bali Travel Mart, the distinguished President Director of the Bali Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. A.A. Gede Rai, sounded words of caution on the future course of tourism development on the island.

In the words of Mr. Rai, "if we do not reinvent Bali, it will not survive." Mr. Rai went on to question the carrying capacity of the island pointing out that by the year 2000 Bali will have consumed 81.5% of her potable water resources and that by 2007 water supplies will be depleted.

Now, more than ever before, Bali cries out for a master plan for tourism development in order to preserve the natural beauty and attractiveness that draws visitors to the island. Such a plan would, hopefully, plot a course of tourism development likely to provide widespread benefits to the people of Bali - the life's blood of the culture that attracts millions of visitors each year.

On a similar vein, a speaker at the recent PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Asia Chapters Meeting in Macau introduced the concept of "profitless growth." In the face of the growing discount travel market in combination with demands for enhanced (read: expensive) supporting infrastructures, destinations such as Bali and Thailand are growing their tourist arrivals while at the same time recording lower foreign exchange earnings.

Both the ends and means of the island's tourism policy bear re-examination. The July edition of the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler magazine listed Bali among the 20 "Most Beautiful Islands in the World." At the same time the magazine warned that " mass tourism can turn paradise into pavement. Some islands avoid the trap, carefully preserving their original attractions for themselves, and for us the visitors"

The magazine cited Bali for having succeeded in maintaining both extraordinary popularity and in spite of its abiding beauty. Conde Nast adds, however, "Bali was first marketed as a paradise in the 1930's, the same decade in which native art began declining into trinkets. Now, with 2.1 million tourist and a thousand hectares of rice fields turned over to development annually, Bali may be the most endangered of these 20 islands"

I take some issue with Cande Nast's depiction of the decline of the island's arts and handicrafts. While vast amounts of goods and performances of questionable artistic merit are produced across the island, the simple fact remains that there are today more dancers, painters, and artisans employed in their trade than ever before. Those prepared to take the time and explore the islands away from the mainstream art shops and tourist-based dance venues, will be rewarded by discovering dance, music and artistic works equal to Bali's reputation as a center for the arts.

That does not mean that the warning bells should be ignored. Mr. Rai, himself a high-born Balinese and a leader in the island's tourism industry, and Conde Nast have a point. Bali, like every other heritage-based tourism destination, must carefully consider what steps are necessary to preserve Bali's natural beauty and its unique cultural values.

BYE-BYE BILLBOARDS?

The Bupati(Regent) of Bandung (South Bali) formally enacted a ruling on July 16 declaring certain areas of the island off-limits to bill board advertising.

The area declared to become "billboard free" under the new ruling include:

- The entrance road between the Ngurah Rai Statue and the Airport. - From the Ngurah Rai Statue to the south for 200 meters.
- From the Gatot Kaca Seraya Statue near the airport's entrance to line of the Yonip 741 Headquarters.
- Along the entire length of Kuta Beach
- From the Dewa Ruci statue (near the Duty Free Shop) to the north for 430 meters; to the east for 430 meters (to the west side of the bridge); to the south for 430 meters ( to the branch office of PLN); and to the west for 352 meters (to the traffic light).

On a recent visit to Bali, Mr. Joop Ave, Presidential Advisor on Tourism, sounded a warning on how billboards were detracting from the natural beauty of Bali.

Many will hope that, with time, the area of the billboard exclusion will be expanded to include all parts of the island.

IBU CENIK TO PERFORM

At a age when many of us are no more, 77 year-old Ni Ketut Cenik enjoys the popularity of being a Balinese cultural icon, acknowledged as a cultural reservoir of traditional dance.

On Friday evening, August 6, in the outer yard of the Pura Dalem Gede Sukawati in Gianyar, "Ibu Cenik" will undertake a one-hour solo performance, playing no fewer than 6 roles in her segment drawn from a traditional Balinese story of witches who devour young children mixed in with a fare amount of sorcery and intrigue.

You know, something on the order of "Little Red Riding Hood" if it were rewritten by Stephen King.

Like one would expect from a traditional evening of dance held in a Palace setting, the dances will continue on until the wee hours with other performances scheduled by the Tedung Agung Ubud dance group as well as traditional presentations of the Baris, Telek and Barong dances from other local groups to round out the evening.

FOREST FIRES ON BORNEO

Sadly, the seasonal forest fires have returned to Borneo (Kalimantan) producing smoke carried by the prevailing westerly winds that are affecting peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra.

Skies continue to be clear in Bali whi far east of the fires. Readers concerned that air pollution might disturb their Bali holiday, can now stay tuned to BALI UPDATE where we include regular air quality measurements on equipment donated to the island's tourism industry by Singapore Airlines.

Due to the prevailing wind conditions, skies are expected to remain clear on Bali and the rest of eastern Indonesia.

INDONESIAN EXPORT GALLERY OPENS IN BALI

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce has cleverly decided to capitalize on Bali's high profile and safe perception it enjoys world-wide by opening The Indonesian Export Gallery.

Inaugurated on Saturday, 31 July, the Gallery's Chief Executive, Yudianto Tri R., explained that many potential exporters have been frightened off by negative press reports about security in other parts of Indonesia and the decision to establish an promotional point in Bali is intended to take advantage of the island's wide-spread popularity.

The Gallery boasts over 2,000 square meters of display space, 1,200 of which will be used in the initial phase of operation.

E! ENTERTAINMENT TO AIR "WILD ON BALI"

The American television channel E!Entertainment will be airing a segment "Wild on Bali" on Saturday, August 7 at 11 p.m., Sunday August 8 at 12 am., and Thursday, August 12 at 12 a.m. I assume all these times are Eastern Standard Time, but check local listings to be sure.

This hour-long segment was recently filmed in Bali and focuses on the beauty, mystique and, according to the producers," the wild side of Bali.

MANDALISSIMO BALI NIGHT IN TOKYO

The Hard Rock Hotel, Bali recently held a "Mandalissimo Bali Night" in Tokyo, Japan. This event took place on July 23, 1999 at the Club Plastic in the Roppongi District of the Japanese capital and presented a program of Balinese art and culture.

More 300 guests attended the event which was covered by leading Japanese news media.

INDONESIA'S 54TH ANNIVERSARY: AUGUST 17

On 17 August 1999, Indonesia will be celebrating it's 54th Independence Day, - the last celebration of that day in the 21st century.

With Indonesia undergoing numerous changes at present, many people are celebrating the nation's birthday with new vigor and excitement. To cite just one example, the Bali Cliff Resort on the Nusa Dua Peninsula have planned a whole host of special events for this coming Independence Day. Red and white decorations, emblematic of the National Flag, will adorn the streets and hotel's surroundings and a special miniature Indonesia village will be built near the resort's children playground In the village the many colorful events that mark a traditional village-based celebration of Indonesia's birthday will take place: "Panjat Pinang," "Gebuk Bantal," Kite flying, Potato Sack races, Kerupuk eating competition and much more is on tap.

In addition to the traditional games that mark the holiday, local cuisine will also be on offer, including ox-tail soup ("sop buntut) everyday at The Cliff Coffee Shop during the month of August. An Indonesian Lunch Buffet will be the highlight for 17 August and on the 18th August a special Independence night will be held at the open stage garnished with a new creation of the Kecak Dance, a fashion show and a vocal quartet.

INDONESIANS ON THE ROAD AGAIN?

An indication that the Indonesian economy is on the rebound is a report this week from the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) that Indonesian arrivals are up 155.9% for June, compared to a year ago. Arrivals generally improved 7.7% for Hong Kong in June, providing new hop in business for a "soft" depressed hotel sector.

Total arrivals for Hong Kong are projected at 10.2 million visitors for 1999, according to the HKTA.

In terms of Indonesian inbound arrivals, official reports indicate that nation-wide arrivals for the first six months of 1999 were up 10.1% compared to same period in 1998. Emboldened, tourism officials are now targeting 5.1 million arrival for all of 1999, if current growth trends continue. The Director General of Tourism Art and Culture, Mr. I. Gede Ardika, has amended a cautionary note on the new targets from his department, labeling them as "optimistic." Earlier this year the targeted arrivals for the year stood at only 4.3 million.

HEALTH MEDITATION COURSE TAUGHT BY MERTA ADA

The Bali Usada Meditation Center in Sanur will be holding a Health Meditation Course once a week every Tuesday for eight weeks, starting: August 3rd 1999. The Course will be held from 1900 - 2230 hours on the designated days and will focus on diminishing the impact of memories and negative emotions, such as nervousness, hatred, attachment, and addictions.

The cost for one course ( 8 weeks ) is Rp.120.000,- . The program is open to the general public, regardless of age and religious beliefs. . For more information, please contact :

Bali Usada Meditation Center, By Pass Ngurah Rai No: 23 Sanur , telephone 62 - (0)361 289209. Facsimile 62-(0)361-287726 .

E-mail to: usada@balimeditation.com

Homepage: http://www.balimeditation.com