BALI UPDATE #248 - 18 June 2001

BALI TRAVEL MART 2001 OPENS

Bali's Travel Mart 2001 opened on Saturday morning, June 16, with modest fanfare at the Bali International Convention Center.

Mr. Syamsuddin, MBA, Chairman of the Organizing Committee welcomed a final tally of 37 registered buyers from 14 countries supplemented by 42 "visiting buyers" from Asian Countries and 64 "visiting buyers" from Germany. A "visiting buyer" is a retail travel agent who will visit the Mart within the context of an ongoing familiarization trip to Bali. The 37 "full" buyers attending the mart will find themselves very popular indeed as they will be courted by some 98 sellers of travel - out numbered by sellers by a ratio of nearly 3:1.

Representing Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism at the opening briefing was Mr. Uddin Sjaiffuddin, a senior aide to the Minister who reminded the delegates of Indonesia's unequalled cultural diversity and that, despite the negative portrayal by many international media, the vast majority of Indonesia offers destinations that are very calm and safe for international visitors. Mr. Sjaiffuddin also reminded the buyers that due to negative press reports and the weak Rupiah, Indonesian travel currently represents outstanding value for money. Mr. Made Suryawan, Vice-Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board, also spoke at the opening briefing citing the BTM 2001 as proof that Bali has successfully managed to weather two years of difficult political and economic times, only to emerge stronger and healthier on the other side.

Participants at the Bali Travel Mart 2001 were VIP guests at the grand
opening parade of the Bali Arts Festival in downtown Denpasar on Saturday afternoon, presided over by Indonesia's Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

MINISTER ARDIKA TO SCRAP BPPI

Minister of Culture and Tourism, I Gde Ardika has announced that the
government will scrap the National Tourism Promotion Board (BPPI).

To see the entire story, visit
http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=164

BALI MICE INITIATIVE LAUNCHED

Bali Discovery Tours and Pacific Asia Travel News are launching a
comprehensive guide to Bali's Meetings, Incentives, Conference and
Exhibition (MICE) Services. Slated for publication in September, Bali
Hotels, attractions and Private Conference Organizers are quickly lining up in support of this island-wide promotional effort.

Read about the Bali MICE Initiative at:
http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=151

GARUDA PROJECTS US$ 9 MILLION PROFIT FOR 2001

National flag carrier expects to record 30% improvement in profits over last year despite currency losses suffered due to a weak Rupiah. For details visit:

http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=165

"NASI BUNGKUS" WITH THE HEAD OF BALI TOURISM

Bali's new Chief of Tourism for the Province, Prof. Dr. Ir. Pitana, has
accepted an invitation to a "Nasi Bungkus" luncheon with members of the local tourism community on Thursday, July 12, 2001.

Intended to serve as an informal "get-together" for all members of the local tourism community, the cost of the lunch is only Rp. 25,000 which includes a delicious traditional "nasi bungkus" lunch prepared by a leading local restaurant, dessert, plus coffee and tea. A cash bar will be available prior to lunch, provided by the Hotel.

The luncheon will be the first occasion at which Bali's new tourism Czar will appear before a large gathering of tourism workers and managers. Dr. Pitana has indicated that he will keep his opening remarks short, allowing the maximum time for a moderated session of questions and answers.

While the event is open to all, admittance to the lunch will be strictly
limited to those holding a ticket purchased in advance. To order tickets for this important event by send an e-mail to
editor@visit-bali.com

AGM FOR PATA BALI & NUSA TENGGARA SET FOR JULY 12

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Chapter for Bali and Nusa
Tenggara has set their Annual General Meeting (AGM) for July 12 at the Radisson Hotel. Registration is at 0930 hours with the meeting running from 1000-1200 hours.

The public "Nasi Bungkus" luncheon with Dr. Pitana will follow the AGM at 1200 hours.

Members of the Chapter will soon be receiving more information on this event.

JAPAN & ORIENT LAUNCHES ULTIMATE CHOICE IN ASIA

Leading U.S.A. tour operator - Japan and Orient - launches the new "Ultimate Choice" Program for Asia.  Five destinations chosen for the program are Bangkok, Bali, Beijing and Singapore.

For the story visit http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=149

UPDATE EDITOR TO ADDRESS SRI LANKAN AGENTS

Bali Update's editor will be traveling to Pattaya, Thailand to address The Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka's annual meeting scheduled for July 5-7 in that Thai resort city.

I've been invited to speak on the topic of  "The Management of Tourism in Crisis" and look forward to meeting Update readers while in Thailand.

BALI & BEYOND MAGAZINE APPOINTS MANAGING EDITOR

Mr. Supardi Asmorobangun has joined Bali & Beyond monthly magazine as its Managing Editor. A graduate of Udayana State University in English language studies, Supardi previously worked as a journalist and Editor-in-Chief at Bali News. He is concurrently News Editor at Radio Plus 106.5 FM. He is a native of Kediri, Java.

Bali & Beyond (B&B) is a tourism magazine with 30,000 copies published monthly in Bali and distributed via guest hotel rooms in Bali. B&B is a member of the Jakarta-based MRA Media Group.

Visit Bali & Beyond on the web at http://www.baliandbeyond.com

KAHARRUDDIN SALAMUN NAMED GM OF INTAN BEACH VILLAGE

Effective June 1, 2001, Mr. Kaharuddin Salamun has been named General Manager of the Hotel Intan Bali (Intan Beach Village). Kaharuddin has a 17-year track record in the Indonesian hotel industry, including periods with Sheraton and Nikko properties.

His latest position at the Hotel Intan Bali sees him in charge of a 330
room, four-star resort located on the Seminyak's sunset strip.

Kaharuddin's e-mail is kahar@intanhotels.com

GRAND BALI BEACH OPENS FITNESS AND SPA CENTER

The Grand Bali Beach has opened its new Kawas Fitness and Spa Center. The interiors design of the center emphasizes natural elements complemented by a view to a small paddy rice field.

"F A C E S" A SOLO EXHIBITION BY NI NYOMAN SANI

The Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women is presenting a showing by Balinese artist Ni Nyoman Sani. The exhibition will run at the Seniwati Showspace, Ubud Main Road from 1- 30 July 2001.

For more information, please contact us The Seniwati Gallery of Art by
Women. Phone/fax 62-(0) 361-975485. E-mail to seniwati@dps.mega.id

Visit their web site at http://www.seniwatigallery.com

DRAGON "SNAPS" FOR FATHER'S DAY?

Sharon Stone's Hubby - Newspaperman Phil Bronstein recently fell prey to the "Basic Instincts" of the Komodo Dragon. To read how Phil almost got cast in a remake of  "Enter the Dragon" click:

http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=150