BALI UPDATE #282 - 11 February 2002

The Problem with Bali & US Travelers

U.S. Travel Executive Kurt Bodmer of Japan & Orient Tours Says Why Americans Are Reluctant to Travel to Bali.

The Vice-President for Business Development of Japan & Orient Tours - a major U.S.A. wholesaler was interviewed in the TTG-ATF Daily published in January 28, 2002.

In that interview with Raini Hamdi, the U.S. senior travel professional focused on problems in promoting Bali to the U.S. market. Kurt Bodmer said, "Unfortunately, Bali is also getting caught in the U.S. travel advisory mishap, since the US does not (yet) exclude Bali from its general travel advisory for Indonesia as Australia, UK, Germany and other countries do."

He added, "I think that the dynamic commitment of Bali Discovery Tours has made, i.e. to refund the entire amount the passenger has to paid to them if they see as much as a demonstration in the country, is proof of how confident Bali is in saying 'Bali is Safe'."

"Regrettably, few people in the US are aware that Bali is 95 percent Hindu and very keen on keeping tourism safe and sound." Suggesting when the current situation will resolve itself, Kurt Bodmer said, "Once the US is willing to exclude Bali from its Indonesia travel advisory, we will see an immediate upswing of interest for this destination."

More information: Visit Bali with Japan & Orient Tours

Bali Center of Management Excellence Launched

ECGL - Executive Center for Global Leadership Inaugurated.

Bali's new Executive Center for Global Leadership (ECGL) was formally launched at an official ceremony held on February 2, 2002, at the Bali Hilton International Hotel.

The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Rini M.S. Soewandi, and attended by the founders of the ECGL Mr. Tanri Abeng, Chairman of Jakarta's Allen-Abeng Institute; and Mr. Abdurizal Bakrie, President, The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Mr. Pontjo Sutowo, Chairman, The Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board; Mr. Bambang Kesowo, State Secretary and Chief of Staff in the Office of the President of the Republic of Indonesia; Mr. Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister of Social Works Indonesia; Mr. Robby Djohan, Chairman, Board of Commissioners, Garuda Indonesia; Mr. Abdul Latief, Chairman of the A. Latief Corporation; Mr. Henry Leo, President, Metropolitan Porfitama; Mr. Andi Indra Kesuma, Chairman, Andira Group.

The ECGL, as reported recently by balidiscovery.com, is a new educational institute devoted to leadership and management development for public and private sector executives throughout the Pacific Asia region. Based in Bali, it will offer a variety of programs and conferences, leadership forums, CEO briefings along with public/private sector dialogue. The objective is to provide course participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective in an increasingly complex and challenging global environment.

The ECGL main campus is located at Bali Handara Mountain Resort.

More information: Related balidiscovery.com coverage on ECGL

Safe and Sound At Sheraton Laguna

Sheraton Laguna Wins Safety Award from Government.

Indonesia's Minister of Manpower and Transmigration, Mr. Jacob Nuwa Wea recently awarded the Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua, Bali with a "Zero Accident Award." The Award was given for achieving a spotless safety record of no accidents over 3,078,339 hours of work between January 1, 1997 and October 31, 2001.

Commenting on the award, Mr. Made Suartama, Director of Human Resource for Sheraton Laguna said, "It is pleasing that we can create a safe, secure and healthy working place to our associates, since they are the most important asset for our resort. We will keep providing training to all associates, so we can maintain this safe working environment and continue to deliver premium service to our guests."

President Megawati Soekarno Putri presented the award to Mr. Wira Sutedja, Director of Engineering Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua who accepted the award on behalf of the hotel at the State Palace in Jakarta.

More information: Book A Stay at the Sheraton Laguna

Celebrating Bung Karno's 100th Year

Centennial of Nation's Founders Birth Celebrated in a Star-Studded Musical Gala.

A sold-out crowd gathered at Bali's International Convention Center on Saturday, February 9, 2002, to mark the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Sukarno the founder of the Indonesian Republic, who proclaimed national independence on August 17, 1945.

Sponsored by the Putra Sang Fajar Foundation, who are busily gathering funds for the building of a 'Bung Karno Library,' the evening was hosted by the late President's son and current President's brother, Guruh Sukarno Putra who also produced, directed and choreographed the evening, in addition to writing most of the musical numbers.

After a brief speech by Mas Guruh sharing childhood memories as the son of the charismatic world statesman, the audience was entertained by musical spectacles employing tens of dancers and the musical talents of some of Indonesia's leading recoding artists of the day. In a strongly patriotic evening, musical contributions were made by the hit female recording group AB3; classically trained singer Binu Sukaman; Boy band singing sensation FBI; million-selling song-stylist Chrisye and 10-year-old 'wunderkind' Sherina who is currently appearing on Indonesia's "Just a Smile Away" international ad campaign.

SIA Airlines Spreads its Wings

Growing Passenger Numbers Allow Singapore Air to Increase Indonesian Capacity. Airline Reports System Improvements All Round.

Singapore Airlines routes to Indonesia curtailed in the wake of September 11 are gradually being reintroduced as passenger confidence and numbers return. A similarly positive situation is reflected system-wide as Singapore Airlines (SIA) have added flights from Singapore to Shanghai and begun restoring seat capacities to North America and the Southeast Asian region.

SERVICE TO JAPAN

Starting from March 31, SIA will reintroduce daily service from Singapore to Osaka, Japan via Bangkok from its current 5 times a week.

BALI FLIGHTS

In March, Bali services will increase from 25 flights to 28 flight per week.

TRANSATLANTIC

Effective March 19, flights from Singapore to New York via Amsterdam, increase from three to four times a week.

TRANSPACIFIC

March will also see daily service restored on the Singapore-Taipei-Los Angeles and Singapore-Tokyo-Los Angeles routes.

Entry #6 - Bali Dream Holiday Contest

Entry Number Six in The Bali Dream Holiday Contest comes from an artist in Las Vegas, Nevada USA.

Alex Sandlin from Las Vegas, Nevada USA, zentravler@aol.com, is this week's featured entry in the Bali Dream Holiday Contest. She sent us the story below and some lovely Bali pictures.

You have until the end of April to send your description of what you think a perfect dream holiday in Bali would be like and you might just win 2 tickets on Singapore Airlines, 7 nights at the Fours Seasons Private Estates Bali at Jimbaran Bay, tours and transfers from Bali Discovery Tours, rafting and cycling excursions from Sobek, luxurious spa treatments from Mandara Spa, a helicopter tour from Air Bali, and Cooking Lessons from Bumbu Bali/Rumah Bali.

Entry's are welcome in any format, both from veteran travelers to Bali or those who only harbor a wish to visit.

BALI MAGIC

   After all the planning, saving, searching for the best fare, reading guidebooks and obsessing over your latest travel dream...the thing about finally having ticket-in-hand is...in your mind, heart, and soul…you are already gone. And with your mind, heart and soul departed, force-fitting your body into the routine of "normal" daily life is like squeezing your feet into shoes two sizes too small. Returning to your drab, conventional life seems pitiful in comparison to where you ethereal alter ego is hanging out.

   For those of us addicted to the call of the road, being stuck in one's mundane reality under those conditions, is emotional water torture. It is bamboo shoots shoved under the fingernails of fantasy. It is having your dreams drawn-and-quartered. Webster's Dictionary defines journey as "passage from one place to another." My plane leaves in the future, but I left this morning for Bali via the inner passage – and this is just a glimpse of what I saw, and what you will experience if you make this journey.

   If you travel to Bali, you will certainly sit upon a spacious veranda on a sultry moonlit night, before a bountiful manicured garden. Sit quietly, close your eyes, be still and listen. You are sitting on the edge of the jungle. As you hear the song of the frog and cricket fade into the exotic haunting rhythms of gamelan in the distance, as you inhale the intoxicating perfume of night blooming jasmine and slow burning incense, as you feel the heavy wetness of the tropics bathe your skin, glistening in the silvery light...you can fall through time and slip into the arcane realm of the mystical Barong, enter the secret world of the Wayang Shadow Puppet Play. Sit quietly, close your eyes, be still and listen, and Bali will seduce your senses and weave its shaman's spell all around you. Magic.

More information: How to Enter the Bali Dream Holiday Contest

Arrivals for 2001

Not all Doom & Gloom: 5.15 Million Visitors to Indonesia in 2002. A Total Just Short of Revised Target.

Although the Government hoped to record a modest 3% increase in overall tourist arrivals in 2001, the final tally ended at 5.15 million - 150,000 people short of the downwardly revised total of 5.3 million visitors and a scant 1.77% improvement over the total figures reported for 2000.

The authoritative Indonesia Digest published by 'Ibu' Wuryastuti Sunario strategy@cabi.net.id, reports that the National Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded 5.15 million visitors via Indonesia's 71 air, sea and overland entry points during the entire year of 2001.

Meanwhile, overall foreign arrivals at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport decreased 3.10% in 2001, down to 1,422,714 direct foreign arrivals for the year 2001. These figure do not reflect foreign arrivals entering Bali by land, cruise ship, or those on domestic flights who entered the country through another Indonesian gateway.

Average daily expenditure by visitors, however, was down 7.21%, at US$ 100.42 or $1,053.36 average expenditures per visitor during his or her stay in Indonesia. The average length of stay by each visitor was also less by 14.44%, down from 12.26 days to 10.49 days, a figure perhaps reflecting a greater reliance on regional visitors who traditionally undertake shorter visits.

Indonesia Digest's figures supported the perception that domestic travel in Indonesia is beginning to boom. Domestic air traffic recorded a whopping 21.05% improvement.

SKAL Funds Local Causes

Bali SKAL Club Extends Valuable Support to a Number of Worthy Local Charities.

SKAL International Bali holds a gala tourism industry ball each year and last year's event at Bali's Nusa Dua Beach Resort and Spa resulted in Rp. 40.3 million (US$4,300) in funds being awarded to eight local orphanages, a tourism school, and four tourism scholars in early February, 2002.

Each of the eight orphanages received Rp. 3 million (US$ 300) in cash or goods. The orphanages receiving the support were:

The Manahaim Orphanage in Baluk Village, West Bali. Home to 39 boys and 19 girls between the ages of 2-19 years who received a clothing donation.

The Alas Kasih Orphanage in Negara, West Bali. Home to 27 boys and 22 girls between 3 and 19 years of age, received a donation of shoes and clothing.

The Giri Asih Orphanage in Gilamanuk, located near the ferry crossing to Java. Housing 39 boys and 29 girls aged 6-19 years, received money for school fees, books, and English lessons.

The Widhya Asih Orphanage in Blimbingsari, Jembrana. Home for 41 boys and 29 girls aged 3-19 years, received bed covers, blankets and kitchen equipment.

The Sidhi Astu Orphanage in Tuka-Dalung, Bali. A donation to help pay the school fees for their 57 boys and girls of grade to senior high school years.

The Salvation Army Orphanage in Denpasar. Money was donated to maintain a refrigerator previously donated by the Club to this orphanage for 62 boys and girls aged 5-18 years.

The Maria Goretti Orphanage in Palasari received money for the school fees for its 49 boys and girls between 4-18 years.

The Yasa Kerti Orphanage in Karangasem, East Bali, received clothing and food for its 45 boys and girls between 3-18 years of age.

SUPPORT TO TOURISM EDUCATION

SKAL Bali's donations this year also included continuing educational support for Bali youngsters seeking professional training for tourism careers. The Putra Bangsa Tourism School in Ubud received a computer system for training its student valued at Rp. 8.3 million (US$ 830).

In collaboration with the PATA Bali & Nusa Tenggara Chapter, Rp. 4 million (US$ 400) scholarships were awarded to four gifted and needy tourism academy students.

SKAL International, is the world's largest international professional tourism industry organization, fostering goodwill and understanding among its more than 25,000 members in nearly 500 clubs worldwide. SKAL International Bali has 60 members.

If you'd like to make a cash contribution in support of SKAL Bali's many worthwhile projects, contact the Clubs Secretary, Gede Juwena via the e-mail link below.

More information: Contact SKAL Bali

We Get Mail

Bali Update Gets Mail on Last Week's "Editorial: ATF Must Clean Up its Act" and Pricing Policies for Bali Tourism Products.

BLOWING THE WHISTLE

Graham Hornel CEO of The Questbay Group wrote to comment on our ATF Editorial to say: "GOOD FOR YOU, MATE on blowing the Buyer Whistle!"

ALSO, OUT OF POCKET

Bali Hai Diving Adventures added the following comment on misbehavior at trade shows, "The problem is also compounded by the organizers of such events, and ATF is not alone in this practice. In often final hour efforts to boost buyer numbers, and hence attract additional sellers, the travel industry is targeted in selected regions, with very little vetting of the invitees... Many of whom have never sent a customer to Bali and are not likely too... The Golf courses are the only ones who benefit from this practice... Since when do travel professionals travel to Trade Exhibitions and on Famil's for that matter, with their children??? Bemused and out of pocket, again..."

COMPLAINTS LEVELED AT ONE MAJOR INDONESIAN PLAYER

Several readers wrote to comment on the the behavior of one of Indonesia's major tour operators who reportedly organized an evening function on the same night as the offical Cambodian Reception and took a group of buyers on a golfing expedition during the last day of scheduled meetings. One reader suggested that such behavior, if proven, should result in a ban of several years against that operator from participating in future ATF's.

POOR ADMINISTRATION LOST ATF THIS BUYER

Meanwhile, Bonnie Braga of Braga Travel Consulting in Miami, Florida (USA), wrote to explain why she didn't attend this year's ATF: "I had planned to attend this event since January 2001 while in Brunei. For the 2001 event buyers were sponsored a ticket from the nearest gateway of Malaysian Airways, which in my case was New York to Brunei. I only had to purchase a ticket from Miami to Newark and back, besides an overnight in Newark due to the weather (winter / snowing).

This year, last minute (mid December), after having continuously been asking about the possibility of a discount ticket, I received an email suggesting I contact Singapore Airlines for a 50% discount ticket which in this case would have to be from San Francisco. Singapore Airlines never replied to the secretariat email, and since I had some last minute projects coming up (pre and post tours for World Cup Soccer participants to Asia), and would also have had to purchase a ticket from Miami to San Francisco (at least additional USD 1,200.00), I was not able to attend.

My sales to Asia should amount to over USD300K this year, and I was really looking forward to visiting Indonesia for the first time.

Please note I was a registered buyer but was never offered any discount or partial complimentary ticket to participate in ATF 2002 this year. Had I known that I would have to purchase a normal ticket in advance, I would have planned for this."

FAN MAIL

And, finally, a piece of fan mail from Daniel Collins for Bali and Bali Update:

"As a frequent visitor to Beautiful Bali, I wait each week to receive your "Bali Update", it is informative and full of interesting articles.

Having made numerous trips to Bali over the years, I have had the opportunity to make many close friends with some of the wonderful Balinese people. It saddened me on my last trip (Dec 2001), to find many places business closing their doors due to the dramatic downturn in tourism from across the globe, and in particular Australia.

Many Australians now consider Bali to be pricing itself out of the market, with destinations such as Thailand and Malaysia proving to be cheaper for the family pocket. This of course may be true as far as the cost of flights and accommodation goes, however Bali is overall, in my humble opinion, still better value for money overall.

The associated costs involved in a holiday, ie; food, drinks, tours and shopping, are by far less intrusive on the hip pocket in Bali than other Asian destinations, were the cost of a drink can be as much as triple that of Bali.

So to all those tourists who consider Bali to be over pricing itself, remember the associated costs involved and not just the cost of flights and accommodation.

Bali Update, keep up the good work, we are true friends of Bali and have never failed to travel to this magical island destination, even during the tough times of the past few years."

More information: Send your mail to Bali Update

Hilton's Chefs Win Trip to Japan

Young Team of Chefs from Bali's Hilton Win Honors and Right to Represent Indonesia in Kyoto Cook Off.

A team of young chefs from Bali Hilton International Hotel will represent Indonesia at the Regional Final of the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Black Box Culinary Challenge in Kyoto, Japan in March after winning a gold medal at the Indonesia finals held on January 31, 2002.

An exciting "cook off" between three top teams from Bali and Jakarta Hotels, culminating in a gala lunch provided by the competing teams were the highlight of the recent Food Hotel and Tourism Bali 2002.

The first runner up were the teams from the Aston Hotel Jakarta followed by the cooking team from Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort Bali.

The gala lunch held at the Bali International Convention Centre was attended by 80 guests. Each table enjoying an exclusive meal prepared by one of the teams of competing chefs. The winning team served their table an entrée of "Atlantic Salmon Delicacy". This was followed by the well-rounded main course entitled "Beef is Beef", closing with a dessert of "Lactos Cream Cheese Tower".

Now in its sixth year, The MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge is the only competition for chefs under the age of 30. This year's competition included competitions at nine trade shows around the South Asia region since the current round began in 2000. Teams are given a box of mystery ingredients compiled by the MLA and given 24 hours to prepare dishes for the gala meal the next day.

The winning team from the Bali Hilton was comprised of Made Atmaja, Wayan Linggih and Putu M. Guna. The Team Leader from the Hilton was their Executive Chef I Ketut Sukamara.

The organizer, MLA is a producer-owned organization that carries out marketing and research for the Australian red meat industry. Through education and promotion, MLA aims to increase the awareness of Australian beef and lamb among consumers, the trade and the foodservice sector internationally and works closely with the industry worldwide.

Tokyo to Bali By Bus

Bali and Tokyo Travel Operators Join Forces to Keep Bali in Japanese Market's Mind.

Faced with a reluctance to travel following the events of 911 and compounded by a weakening value of the Japanese Yen, International Developers Inc. (IDI) and Paradise Bali Tours have joined forces since September of 2001 to promote Bali tourism directly to Japan's man and woman on the street.

All busses traveling the No. 77 and No. 58 routes on the Tokyo Metropolitan Transportation System in the Waseda and Ueno areas of the city have been painted in colors and scenes reminiscent of the island of Bali. The program, intended to raise Bali's visibility among Japanese consumers will continue through August of 2002.

Bali's Chief of Tourism, Professor Dr. Ir. Pitana sent a letter of appreciation on January 7, 2002, to the two tourism partners, saluting their contribution towards promoting Bali in the Japanese market and helping to restore Japanese arrival numbers to Bali.

Bali's Silicon Hilltop

Cutting Edge Computer Technology On A Hill in Bali - BaliCamp.

Singapore's Straits Times carried a story in its February 4, 2002, edition regarding the unique company high in Bali's hills that gathers against top computer talent to design software and operational systems.

To learn more about BaliCamp and read the Straits Times article, click the link below:

More information: High-tech in High Hills of Bali

Fiscal Charge to Be Reviewed

ASEAN Ministers Agree to Consider Removing Exit Taxes and Other Barriers to Travel.

The Tourism Ministers of ASEAN plus their counterparts from Japan, China and Korea - met in Yogyakarta, Central Java during the meetings leading up to the ASEAN Tourism Fair which ended on January 28, 2002. During those meetings, the tourism chiefs agreed to review all administrative barriers to travel in the region including exit and fiscal taxes, such as the Rp. 1 million (+/- US$100) fee levied on all departing Indonesian residents.

That tax, actually a pre-payment on income tax, can be claimed for reimbursement when submitting payroll withholding tax payments.

One of the suggestions tabled during the Ministerial meetings was that the tax should be waived for travel between ASEAN member nations. For such a change in policy to be introduced it would require cross-ministerial approval and the signature of the resident.

At the same meetings each member nation agreed to donate US$ 60,000 to a general promotional fund for ASEAN with Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia given a smaller donation total of US$ 20,000 each reflecting their reduced financial circumstances.

The ASEAN Tourism Forum followed by the ASEAN Tourism Fair will be held in January 2003 in Cambodia.