BALI UPDATE #250 - 02 July 2001

Editorial: U.S. Travel Warnings are Gobbledygook.

Glaring Inconsistencies in How U.S. Travel Advisories are Issued Suggest There's More At Play than Meets the Eye. Bali Discovery Tour's J.M. Daniels Takes a Closer Look.

gobbledygook noun. Unclear, wordy jargon. [Imitation of the gobbling of a turkey.]

Frankly, I'm confused. Has living away from the United States for more for nearly 25 years caused me to lose my grasp of American English? Is the current information age wreaking irreversible havoc on the meaning and use of the English language? Or, perhaps, is an emphasis on hiring young career officers with foreign language skills causing the U.S. Diplomatic Corps to abandon fluency in standardized English? Go figure.

My confusion stems from the manner in which the U.S. Department of State issues advisories to its citizens considering travel abroad. My assumption - obviously wrong - was that these travel hints were intended to be useful, even potentially essential information for Americans overseas. Being privileged to top secret information gathered from diplomatic cables, bugged telephone lines and the latest gossip bantered about on the diplomatic cocktail circuit, I just assumed that Uncle Sam's diplomats' warnings to its tax payers might even represent invaluable travel information. You know. Everything from "bring your own toothbrush to Mozambique due to the current shortage such items at local supermarkets" to "participation in archaeological digs and mud baths within 5 miles of Chernobyl is strongly discouraged. Using the State Departments own lexicon, I'd classify the former, dealing with dental hygiene, as a mild "travel caution" and the latter, concerned with radioactive poisoning, as a sterner "travel warning." But, wouldn't you know it? I got it all wrong.

Last week the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Warning for Indonesia urging "American Citizens to defer nonessential travel to Indonesia" and all travel to "Aceh, Maluku, Papua, West Timor, Borneo and Central Sulawesi." At the same time American citizens visiting the Philipppines were only urged to "excercise great caution" and "avoid all travel" to the island of Mindanao.
Don't let the nuances of what seems to be happening here elude you. How is it that the Philippines, where U.S. Citizen's have actually been kidnapped and suffered harm, manages to escape with a region specific "warning" for Mindanao and only a nation-wide "caution," while Indonesia gets slapped with a nation-wide warning? Like the Philippines, Indonesia has had pockets areas of civil unrest, but, unlike the U.S. treatment of the Philippines, American diplomats chose to characterize the entire nation of Indonesia with a single board stroke as unsafe.

The simple facts of the case is that many - if not most parts of Indonesia - including Bali remain absolutely safe for all overseas visitors. As an American working and living in Bali I, know this to be true on a first hand basis. The American Ambassador who recently enjoyed a brief, and by all accounts trouble free visit to the island, also knows that Bali is safe for tourists. Bali's inherent safety is a fact that is equally not lost on the thousands of American's who have visited Bali over the past several years and whose biggest fear from the "locals" is fending off sarong and handicraft sellers on the beach.

What's really going on here? Indonesia, having suffered the fallout of U.S. travel warnings since the fall of the Soeharto regime two years ago, is beginning to strongly suspect that State Department Travel Warnings are less a useful information tool for American travelers than a retaliatory weapon in the arsenal of U.S. international politics. Sadly, it now seems that nations who fail to unquestionably tow the U.S. line can expect a broadside fired from the bow of U.S.S Bully Pulpit. Funding is withheld if nations boldly adopt their own approach to population policies. IMF and World Bank support is frozen if banks and financial insititutions fail to religiously emulate their U.S. counterparts. Market and trade access are denied as an accepted component of U.S. hegemonic designs. Against this background, it should not surprise anyone that the U.S. now tries to dissuade its nationals- by any mean at its disposal, from visiting nations whose leaders may currently not enjoy the complete favor of the U.S. Government.

Does this sound far fetched? I wish it were so. But how else can the very differential treatment meted out in terms of travel advisories between the Philippines and Indonesia be explained? Suspicions that the State Department may be playing "political hard ball" is further strengthened by the ludicrous attempt last week by the State Department to somehow link the recent kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the southwestern Philippines with a danger to Americans visiting North Sulawesi in Indonesia. Such a linkage is totally divorced from the geo-political facts of the case. In the two most recent kidnapping attacks by the Abu Sayyaf, only Malaysia and the Philippines have ever been mentioned in international press reports of these events. Indonesian territory has neither been affected nor involved and the very idea that a group claiming itself to be fundamentally Islamic would enjoy any degree of refuge or solace in the overwhelmingly Christian areas of northern Sulawesi reveals, on the part of the diplomats who author these warnings, either a loose grasp of the facts or an ulterior motive at play. How can the U.S. State Department see fit to somehow draw Northern Sulawesi into a conflict from which it is far removed, both geographically and ideologically?

I suggest you read U.S. Travel Advisories only if your interested in the "to and fro" of American geo-political interests around the world, but not if you're looking for a source of reliable travel information.

Meanwhile, I'm considering dispensing free baby formula to women and children from a stand I'll establish in front of Bali's U.S. Consulate. In an island that remains peaceful for locals and visitors alike, that place would be as good as any other.

At best, U.S. Travel Advisories are gobbledygook.

Absolutely Bali Launched

Marketing Consortium of Bali-Based Businesses Join Forces Under a Single Banner of Absolutely Bali.

"Absolutely Bali", a newly-formed group of Bali-based businesses are teaming up to promote their unique products which might otherwise have not come to the attention of the traveling public.

Recently launched at an elegant evening cocktail reception at Sanur Village's The Pavilions Private Villas, the marketing consortium promotes a range of Bali products from private villas in Kerobokan, Canggu, Jimbaran and Sanur; to a traditional sail boat; to unique reosrts on Bali's north coast; to a luxury boutique home complex in Ubud; to a dive resort; to a maker of Balinese wines.

As one of its initial marketing forays, Absolutely Bali has published an attractive brochure showcasing their products which include:

Anggrek Umah Anyar - a boutique home complex in Ubud

Bali Professional Management Services-specializing in villa rental and management

Coconuthomes.com - a net based renter of private homes and villas in Bali

Samai Lovina Villas- a luxury boutique hotel in the hills overlooking Bali's north coast

DESAIN EKO - a creative consultant in applied art and design

Hatten Wines-A family-owned winery based in Sanur Village

Jepun Bali Resort - A newly opened luxury resort on Bali's north east shore

Ombak Putih Cruises- 5, 7 or 8 day sailing cruises to the islands east of Bali

Pavilions Private Villas- Personalized private Villas in the very heart of Sanur Village

Tauch Terminal Dive Resort- A Tulamben-based diving school and resort

Sacred Mountain Sanctuary - an eco-friendly resort located in Sideman, on the slopes of Mt. Agung

Villa Balquisse -Villas and Boutique Hotel in Jimbaran village

More information: Absolutely Bali Website

Garuda Adds Flights to Frankfurt

More Seats to Serve a Growing European Market to Bali.

In order to meet rising demand from Europe, Garuda Indonesia is increasing from 4 to 7 times a week their flights connecting Frankfurt and Jakarta/Bali.

Currently served by 3 weekly flights between Frankfurt and Bali, and 1 flight between Frankfurt and Jakarta, effective October 21, 2001, Garuda will fly 7 times a week to Germany. According to Frankfurt-based officials of the airline, average passenger occupancy rates are now 70% on the carriers services to and from Germany.

Garuda Indonesia announced that they will operate their German service utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

More information: Garuda Indonesia Website

Nick Deacock Assesses Bali Travel Mart

Well-known Garuda Orient Holiday Product Manager, Nick Deacock Uses a Sharp Pencil to File His Report Card on the Bali Travel Mart.

The 3rd Annual Bali Travel Mart (BTM) has just concluded with various mmbers of the travel industry, both from Indonesia and abroad, registering their evaluations on the execution of this year's event at its future role in promoting Bali.

Bali's Provincial Chief of Tourism, Dr. Ir. Gede Pitana, speaking in the June 28th edition of the Indonesian-language newspaper Bali Post sees BTM as Bali's best option to promote tourism and its current "twinning" with the Bali Arts Festival as an effective form of cooperation. At the same time, Dr. Pitana suggested that the BTM needs "maturation" in order that it promotion can become more effective and organized in increasing Bali's overall market share.

The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. I Gde Ardika, suggested that the timing of the event be examined for a more market-oriented time staging. The Minister has suggested that timing the event to coincide with the Bali Arts Festival may detract from the strict business orientation that BTM must possess.

GOH'S NICK DEACOCK'S EVALUATION

Writing to Bali Update from Sydney, Garuda Orient Holiday's, Nick Deacock asks: “Were SIPCO (the organising committee) aggressive enough? This was my third consecutive Bali Travel Mart and I was disappointed and saddened to see how little support there was from the Bali hotel industry. At the inaugural 1999 BTM, Sellers outnumbered Buyers, last year it was a more evenly numbered affair with good support from Australian and European wholesalers. However, this year both Buyers and Sellers were few and far between (although there was still a surprisingly good turnout of Australian wholesalers)."

Decock continued, "if BTM is held next year, unless something drastic is done by the organizing committee, it will be a 'non-event'. Feedback from Sellers this year was very negative. Those hotels and operators who were actually 'invited' felt the registration fees were too high, and sponsorships (of morning tea, meals, events, etc.) was deemed exorbitant."

"One operator who intended to register as a Seller, declined to sponsor a morning tea and ultimately did not attend. A representative of a hotel group had to call me for a contact address of BTM and, when enquiring about registration information, was asked 'have you been invited?'. Whilst I have no reservations about regional tourism offices attending Travel Marts, the question must be asked 'Why was it so easy for Banten, South Sulawesi, Bandung, Tabanan, Denpasar and East Java Tourism Departments to gain registration, yet difficult for Bali hotels and operators, for whom one would assume this Bali Travel Mart was intended? Some of these tourism offices have probably stretched their budgets to the limit to attend BTM and it was sorrowful to see how few meetings they had."

NUMBER GAMES

Mr. Deacock also pointed out that "the pre-ponement of two large foreign retail travel agent educational groups (brought forward from July) to attend BTM was purely a "number crunch" to make BTM look better than it really was. There was no way there were 97 Sellers at BTM (perhaps 97 people, but representing only about 40 products or product groups). Nor were there 100+ Buyers (perhaps 35 "true" Buyers and 90+ 'overseas visitors')."

He added, "attendance at formal BTM functions, with one exception, was abysmal -in spite of a written warning in the registration package that 'no shows would incur a US$25 fine'. For the Governor's Dinner on 18th June a police escort and two coaches were waiting at BTM, for the trip to the Governor's palace. Eight Buyers traveled on one coach (the second wasn't needed) and on arrival it was embarrassing to have the Governor and his entourage waiting to greet delegates (all 8 of them...). Luckily the German retail travel agents education group was already there to 'crunch numbers'. Similarly, for the Bali Arts Festival on 16th June, two coaches, police escort, VIP viewing stand - went to waste...about 12 people attended. And (just like last year) were unable to see anything of the processions, did not see any of the dances, did not see the Vice-President, and were inundated by enthusiastic Balinese trying to get a better view."

“Whilst interesting to watch the ebb and flow of the crowds, this was not what I was there for," said Deacock.

Emphasizing that his desire was to make constructive comments for a better-organized BTM in the future, Nick Deacock offered the following four recommendations:

1. Bali Arts Festival - whilst a nice idea, I do not see any relevance in Wholesalers spending an afternoon attending this (and not seeing anything). The time could have been much better spent in workshops or meetings. Don't waste our time next year please!

2. Formal Functions - if these are to be compulsory, and if there are to be fines, make them COMPULSORY FINES. I attended all formal functions and was embarrassed for my non-attending industry colleagues. Importantly, considering the cost of Sellers Registration, why preclude Sellers from these functions? Surely these are intended as further opportunities for networking?

3. Sellers Registrations and Sponsorships - the more registrations, the cheaper the cost should be. So why not calculate a target number of Buyers and Sellers and advertise that price which should be as low as possible to attract as many delegates as possible?

4. Next Year - considering there was no announcement about next year, I have doubts it will occur. If it is intended to continue, the organizing committee should lock in dates and venue immediately (and stick to them), and start working now to get numbers.

Deacock concluded by saying, "if BTM occurs next year - Garuda Orient Holidays will attend -not because of any potential commercial benefit to be made (because June is the totally wrong contracting time for Australia), but because we are committed to the continued promotion of Bali - our primary destination.”

Cathay Pacific Pilot Strike Imminent?

Labor Talks with Cathay's Pilots at an Impasse.

Wage negotiations between the Hong Kong Airline Cathay Pacific Airways and their pilots have broken down, with the airline's flight deck crews threatening unspecified labor action commencing Sunday, July 01.

Bali is served by 10 weeks each flight from Cathay's Hong Kong hub using Airbus A-300 aircraft. The Airline has undertaken a range of contingency plans to reduce inconvenience to passengers.

For the latest status on the threatened strike visit Cathay’s web site.

More information: Cathay Pacific Airways

Richard Bussiere Heads Sheraton's Indonesia Team

U.S. Hotelier to Run Bali's Sheraton Laguna and Oversee 11 other Properties in Indonesia.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has appointed Mr. Richard Bussiere as the Managing Director of the Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua and Vice President - Area Managing Director Indonesia, effective June 18, 2001.

In this new role, Mr. Bussiere will be responsible for the hotel operations for 10 Sheratons and 1 Westin in Indonesia and any future hotel opening and development within the country. He is based in Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua, Bali where he holds the title of Managing Director.

Mr. Bussiere joined Sheraton as a Corporate Management Trainee at Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California in 1980. After completing the one year program, he was promoted as the Catering Manager for the same hotel. His career rose and he served in various positions in California until 1986, when he was chosen as the opening Front Office Manager and later promoted as the Director of Rooms for Sheraton Hua Ting Shanghai. In 1989, he was appointed as the Resident Manager of Sheraton Auckland Hotel & Towers, New Zealand.

Eleven years before coming to Bali, he started his career as the General Manager for 5 Sheratons and 1 St. Regis hotels: Sheraton Inn Lampung, Indonesia, Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort, Lombok, Indonesia; Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort, Malaysia; Sheraton Shenyang Hotel & Towers, China; Sheraton Grande Laguna, Phuket, Thailand and The St. Regis Beijing, China.

Mr. Bussiere graduated from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel Administration. He also earned an Associate Degree in Hotel & Food Service from Manchester Community College, Connecticut, USA.

More information: Book a Stay at the Sheraton Laguna

Continental Airlines - Offers More Flights to Bali

Bali's Only American Air Carrier Now Flies 5 Times A Week to Paradise.

Effective July 3, 2001, Continental Airline have increased their frequency of flights from Guam to Bali to 5 times a week.

The only American air carrier to serve Bali the new flight schedule offers CS900 flying southbound from Guam to Bali every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Departure from Guam will be at 1740 hours and arriving in Bali 2100 hours (all local times).

Northbound service on CS 901 between Denpasar and Guam will operate on the same days with departure from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport at 2155 hours, landing the next morning in Guam at 0525 hours.

More information: Continental Airline Web Site

Chess Champions to Gather in Bali in July

"Check" and "Check-mate" at National Chess Championships in Bali, July 9-19.

28 of Indonesia's best Chess players will gather in Bali, July 9 to 19, in order to determine Indonesia's ranking champion for the coming year. Using a knock-out format in the initial men's senior division the field will be quickly whittled down to 16 finalist for the main round. At that point the style of play will shift to a Swiss format, the first time that format has been used in an Indonesian chess tournament.

The championships are being organized by The Indonesian Chess Association (PERCASI).

Chess is a very popular board game in Indonesia with a number of Indonesian players having achieved the rank of "Grand Master" and participating in international chess events.

More information: PERCASI Web SIte

8 Down . . . How Many More Billboards to Go?

Denpasar Government Promises to Clean Up Bill Board Clutter on Bali's By Pass.

Apparently, the owners of advertising billboards along Bali's main By Pass are beginning to comply with local prohibitions outlawing billboard advertising in certain areas of Bali.

Last week, two billboards promoting two 5 star hotels were cut down by their owners, joining another 6 signs removed in recent weeks. According to a regional government spokeman, 29 letters of reprimands have been issued to local companies whose billboards either have no permits or are standing in one of several areas declared "billboard free".

Currently, 3,000 billboards in the Badung Region of Bali have legal permits.

AWAIR & ASIANA Air Enhance Their Cooperation

Korean and Indonesian Carriers Combine Forces on Passenger Service to Bali.

Indonesian start-up airline Air Wagons International - AWAIR and the South Korean carrier Asiana have established a formal alliance that promises additional passenger seats to Bali.

Under the terms of the recently concluded agreement, the two airlines have agreed to cooperate in three areas: bi-lateral flight rights; fare pro-rations; and schedule coordination.

AWAIR have announced that they hope Asiana will have the capability to fill up to 50% of the Indonesian airline's available seats between Jakarta and Bali. The passenger-sharing program devised between the two air partners call for Asiana passengers arriving in Jakarta off their flight from Seoul at 1700 hours to spend an overnight in Jakarta followed by a half-day city tour before leaving on AWAIR at 1515 hours for a flight to Denpasar.

AWAIR commenced service to Bali last December 22 only to withdraw their schedule to the island in February due to poor loads. The airline resumed their flights to Bali on June 15.

Bali's Provincial Leaders Rejects Airport Tax Hike

Bali's Parliamentarians Say "No" to 50% Increase in International Departure Tax.

Bali's Provincial Parliament (DPRD) has formally served notice to the Central Government in Jakarta that they reject the recent decision to increase the international departure tax 50% from Rp. 50,000 to Rp.75,000. In a letter sent to the Minister of Communication, dated May 20, 2001, the stated reason for the rejection of the increase in departure tax was the failure of the Airport Authority to coordinate the decision to increase the tax with Bali's local government.

The letter of rejection signed by the Chairman of the Bali Parliament, was copied to Bali's Governor, the Director General of State-Owned Companies, the Association of Indonesian Travel Agents (ASITA), and the Bali branch of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association.

In comments made to the Press by the Parliament's Chairman, I.B.P. Wesnawa, the rejection letter was seemingly motivated by the steadfast refusal of the Bali airport authority to consider sharing its revenues with the local government in Bali.

As part of the ongoing nationwide debate on the implications of governmental decentralization and regional autonomy, Bali's political leaders have become increasingly vocal in demanding a share of the reported Rp. 400 billion (US$ 36 million) yearly revenues earned by Bali's airport Authority.

It remains unclear what the effect of the provincial parliament's rejection will have on the actual collection of the Bali airport tax. The collection of the tax fee increased to Rp. 75,000 from its former level of Rp. 50,000 on June 01 and the collection of the tax is done within the confines of the airport - an area entirely under the control of the airport authority.