BALI UPDATE #267 - 29 October 2001

Is Bali Safe? She'll Be Right, Mate!

As it Was in the Beginning, Is Now, and Continues to Be: Bali is as Safe as Safe Can Be. Canberra Lowers Its Travel Advisory for the Rest of Indonesia.

Last week (23/10), the Australian Consulate published the latest travel advisory from their Embassy in Jakarta stating it "no longer judges it necessary to advise Australians to consider deferring normal business or holiday travel to most parts of Indonesia."

While recommending "continued vigilance," the Australian Embassy acknowledged that the intensity of recent protests had diminished. The latest protest staged by the Islamic Development Party (PPP) at the U.S. Embassy was of short duration and, according to press reports, drew only tens of protestors.

Reflective of the prevailing peace and lack of demonstrations in Bali, the Australian Embassy continued to treat Bali as a separate case. The latest Australian travel advisory remained consistent in this regard, pointing out that tourist services in Bali and nearby Lombok are operating normally.

With some justification, many Australian holidaymakers continue to call Bali their home away from home.

More information: Australian Embassy in Jakarta

Japanese Aid to Conserve Tanah Lot

Soft Loan to Help Preserve Coastal Area Around Famous Temple.

The informative weekly e-zine Tourism & Business Strategic Communication published by Ms. Wuryastuti Sunario (e-mail: strategy@cabi.net.id) reported last week (10/26) that the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JIBC) has extended a soft loan for Rp. 66.5 billion (US$ 6.65 million) to conserve the eroding coastlines around Bali's Pura Tanah Lot.

The formalization of the loan agreement was announced by Mr. Masaya Fujiwara, the Economic Consul at the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta. Over the past five years the Japanese government has provided Rp. 800 billion in loans for shoreline conservation in Bali, covering the areas of Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur and Tanah Lot.

Pura Tanah Lot is perhaps Bali's most photographed temple, located on a rock promontory just off Bali's western coast. Dating from the 16th century, the temple was once connected to the mainland by a natural arch bridge believed to have collapsed after a massive earthquake in 1917.

More information: Take a tour to Tanah Lot

Bali's Garment Industry Hit Hard

Thousands of Garment and Textile Workers May Lose Jobs.

The Bali Chairman of the Indonesian Textile Association (API), Mr. I Gusti Putu Arnawa was quoted in the Indonesian language Bisnis Indonesia (18/10) as saying Bali's garment workers face an uncertain future following the WTC tragedy in New York on September 11.

The API Chairman claimed that tens of thousands of Bali's garment workers could be fired or put on indefinite suspension due to the sudden drop in orders. Orders, which were already lackluster prior to September 11, were either cancelled completely or declined even further after the terrorist attack.

Mr. Arnawa explained that New York orders for garments had always served as a barometer of Bali's garment and textile trade state of health. New York orders dropped dramatically in the second half of September and orders from garment trade shows in other cities have been far below average.

Bali's garment manufacturers are praying for a quick recovery in consumer spending to avoid widespread economic dislocation for workers in their economic sector.

Bali's Hyatts Woo Travel Industry

Hyatt's Two Bali Resorts Offer Unbeatable Rates to Travel Industry Professionals Who Holiday in Paradise.

Bali Hyatt and Grand Hyatt Bali have launched a special travel industry offer for those employed in airlines or travel agencies planning a trip to Bali between now and December 22, 2001.

Grand Hyatt Bali is offering the travel industry accommodation at only US$ 100 per night, while its sister property, Bali Hyatt in Sanur Village costs US$ 75 per night. These rates are available for a minimum 2-night stay, valid for two adults and one child under 12 sharing a room, and include a full buffet breakfast each morning. Rates are subject to 21% government tax and service charge.

Special Bonus

As a special bonus under the terms of this offer, those paying for two nights accommodation will receive a third night at no additional cost.

This special offer is limited to airline staff and their subsidiary companies and travel agent staff. Proof of travel industry employment will be required upon arrival.

More information: Book Hyatt's Travel Industry Offer

New U.S. Ambassador Appointed

Ralph 'Skip' Boyce - Washington's New Envoy to Jakarta. Early Signs of a More Cordial Relationship.

Ambassador Ralph Boyce visited the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 24, to present his credentials to Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri, Indonesia's President.

A career Senior Foreign Service Officer, Mr. Boyce has served in Washington as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs since August 31, 1998. Previous postings include Tehran as Staff Assistant to the Ambassador, Commercial Attaché in Tunis, Islamabad as an Embassy Financial Economist, a special assistant to Deputy Secretary of State, a political counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission in Bangkok, and as Charge d' Affaires in Singapore.

Fluent in Persian, French and Thai, Ambassador Boyce has managed in less than a week in his new post to already strike a more cordial tone with Indonesian policy makers and press. In stark contrast to the often stirdent tones of his predecessor, he quickly declared that he looks forward to establishing an open dialogue with Indonesia's majority Islamic community regardings America's 'war on terror,' and has opened that dialogue by declaring publicly that he felt there was limitless potential for a strong mutually beneficial relationship between Jakarta and Washington.

Plans are actively being discussed in Bali to send a delegation of tourism leaders to Jakarta to formally welcome Ambassador Boyce, extend an invitation to visit Bali early in his term, brief him on the pivotal role played by tourism in the island's economy, explain how Bali has an impeccable record of maintaining security for all its visitors, and explore whether the U.S. Government might consider dealing with Bali as a separate case when issuing future travel warnings. A host of other nations, including the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan have typically excluded Bali when issuing negative travel advisories on Indonesia.

Gambling Not in the Cards

Indonesia's Minister for Culture & Tourism Reaffirms Gambling Tourism Not Acceptable to Local Norms.

Indonesia's Minister of Culture & Tourism, Mr. I Gde Ardika, has reiterated his opposition to the introduction of gambling as a means of raising much needed foreign exchange.

In comments made at a coordinating meeting for tourism held in Kupang (21/10), the Minister reacted strongly to renewed efforts by some Indonesian businessmen to establish "gambling islands," depicting gambling as a "blight" on the people with the potential of destroying the mentality of the nation's youth. Emphasizing that Indonesian culture wants nothing to do with such activities, he defended his position by pointing out that among all the major religions practiced in the Country, all forbid gambling.

Minister Ardika, who originates from Bali, was confronting head on those who are actively lobbying local legislatures for permission to establish remote gambling islands as a means to raise foreign exchange. Those who support such plans, including a prominent Balinese businessman and tourism figure, acknowledge the local sensitivity to gambling practice suggesting that the proposed gambling centers would be "off-limits" to the indigenous population, following the practice of Malaysia in the operation of its large gaming industry. In response, the Minister insisted that raising foreign exchange was not the "be all and end all" of tourism, stating that tourism must strive to also to develop and preserve local community values.

Fashion Fusion at The Ritz

Ritz Carlton Bali Holds its First Fashion Fusion Extravaganza 30 November to 02 December 2001.

The Ritz Carlton Bali Resort & Spa will be celebrating its 5th anniversary over the entire weekend of Friday, 30 November, until Sunday, 02 December, with a celebration of style, fashion and fine dining.

Dubbed the Fashion Fusion Weekend Extravaganza - some of Indonesia's and the region's best designs of fashion, jewelry and fabric will be showcased against a backdrop of elegant dining experiences.

Friday, 30 November Veuve Clicquot Champagne Degustation Dinner. A seven-course dinner served in the Padi Restaurant with fine Champagne from the House of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin. $75++

Saturday, 01 December Veuve Clicquot Champagne Reception, Gala Dinner and Fashion Show. Starting at 7 p.m., a 45 minute cocktail reception in the hotel's courtyard accompanied by chamber music, canapés and Veuve Clicquot Champagne. From 7:45 p.m. a fashion and jewelry show in the hotel's ballroom following a 4 course gala dinner including fine wines. $95++.

Sunday, 02 December Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brunch and Fashion Show. A brunch served on the bluff-side Sami-Sami restaurant featuring beachwear fashion and more Champagne. $55++.

Among the fashion leaders to be featured over the weekend include: Kevin Yeung - The Chairman of the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association with a distinguished career with leading fashion houses and now working under his own label of Gobelins; Runi Palar - Together with her husband, Runi operates the House of Runa providing fine fashion jewelry in gold and silver to customers from around the world from their base in Yogyakarta, Central Java; Afif Syakur - specializing in unique designs of batik, Afif's fine cloths are sought after everywhere, including Japan where they are simply known as Apip's Batik; Musa Widyatmodjo - Reflecting the fine tradition of conventional embroidery, Musa specializes in silk, taking inspiration from cultural motifs of central and west Java.

The Ritz Carlton Bali Resort intends to make the Fashion Fusion Week a regular event on the island's event calendar.

More information: Book a Stay at the Ritz Carlton

Here We Go Again!

Disturbing Reports From Jakarta that the Visa Policy Is Again on the Table for Discussion. Changes in Policy Won't Cure a Problem that's Driven by Money and Corruption.

In a story carried in the Friday, October 26 edition of Bisnis Indonesia, Indonesia's Minister of Defense, Mr. Matori Abdul Djalil was quoted as saying that the visa on arrival policy was again being discussed at Cabinet level. The Minister reportedly said a struggle was underway between those who wished to preserve national security and those wishing to support tourism.

The idea of removing the visa on arrival enjoyed by the nationals of more than 40 countries or reducing the current 60 day length of stay is not a new one. This idea is surfaced regularly by the nation's leaders, most recently by another Cabinet member who calculated Indonesia could raise millions of dollars by charging $50 for every visa issued as people arrived in the country. Fortunately, that proposal was dropped following an outcry from the tourism industry who presented evidence demonstrating such a change would result in a massive downturn in tourism arrivals.

The latest proposal by Minister Matori appears to be a response to unwanted international attention being brought on the Government in the wake of the recent sinking of an Indonesian ship carrying illegal immigrants to Australia. That tragedy highlighted, once again, a massive illegal syndicate that is smuggling immigrants from the Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries to Australia via Indonesia.

For obvious reasons, Indonesia's tourism industry is up in arms at the very suggestion of changing the current visa on arrival rules as they struggle to rebuild business following the massive downturn in foreign arrivals in the wake of the September 11 WTC attack and anti-American demonstrations in some cities around the Country. Mrs. Meity Robot, the Chairwoman of the Association of Indonesian Travel Agents (ASITA), insisted that Cabinet should refrain from discussing the visa on arrival matter until receiving input from the tourism sector. She also suggested that changes in the current policy, if any, should be limited to the 60 day validity period with alterations being made on a country by country basis.

Will a change in the current policy offer a remedy to the problem of illegal immigrants using Indonesia as a way station enroute to Australia? Those who suggest it might, share the same profound naivety of those who earlier proposed a change in the visa policy would resolve the problem of illegal foreign workers in Indonesia. Both problems are driven by money and the willingness of those involved to corrupt the system to achieve their goals.

Let's remember that rules and procedures are already in place that allow immigration officials at the Country's gateways to verify that visitors fitting the profile of illegal immigrants to be asked to show an onward ticket to a country for which they have a legal right of entry. And like every other country in the world, those same officials also are empowered to question potential visitors to ascertain their financial means and determine their bona fides as true tourism visitors.

Before creating new rules of the game, perhaps the more logical approach would be to understand first why the current system is not working. The latest suggestion to change the visa on arrival policy, finds the nation's tourism industry praying that cooler and wiser heads will prevail.