BALI UPDATE #286 - 11 March 2002

Interview with BTB's Putu Antara

Bali Tourism Board's New Chairman Speaks to balidiscovery.com.

In an exclusive interview with Bali Update and balidiscovery.com, the newly elected Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), shared his views on tourism in Bali and the challenges ahead for BTB. A graduate engineer in textile and fashion manufacturing, "Pak" Putu also serves as the President Director of the Garuda Wisnu Kencana monument project and is the owner of the Mama & Leon Group, which holds diversified business interests in textiles, clothing manufacturing, and tourism.

Pak Putu, why do feel the first incarnation of BTB failed?

The goals of the old BTB were not clear and ideas and concepts were not coming from Bali's tourism industry. That will be the difference between the "old" BTB and the "new" BTB.

What are the short term goals of the BTB?

The 9 founding tourism organizations^* of BTB share a common desire to build Bali tourism as a whole. They see a need for destination marketing, something that has been lacking in Bali so far. This is Bali's main problem at the moment: How to promote itself to the world in the current turbulent situation where Indonesia is suffering from a bad image as a terrorist country with a Moslem majority population. Bali has to determine how to reposition itself and regain the market share that has been lost.

Have any concrete strategic steps been identified yet?

We will sit together with all the stakeholders to make a detailed plan. This takes time, at least two months. What we can do right now is to build a better image for Bali by doing short-term promotions, producing professional press releases and participating in international events. We will hold a press conference in early April in Jakarta, which will be supported by President Megawati and her cabinet. At that event we'll invite the national and international press and the event will be organized by a professional PR company. We will use this event to tell the world what is Bali and why they should come to Bali.

We have also just received the news that the U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development scheduled for May 25 will be moved from Jakarta to Bali with 3,000 delegates and 3,000 other invited guests expected to attend.

Does Bali have the infrastructure to handle a conference of this size?

We have done a lot of compromise and we have held talks with the Minister of Politics and Security and the Minister of the Environment and, as a result, have devised ways to handle this number by using many radios and a number of venues simultaneously - such as using three major hotels in Nusa Dua and the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Monument to host events.

The largest venue at the BICC handles only 2,500 delegates, how will 6,000 people be accommodated?

This will be done using upgraded equipment from the Bali International Conference Center and broadcasting the event to three hotels in Nusa Dua. This conference will be good coverage for Bali.

What other short term steps will be taken?

Promotion at ITB Berlin will be run by one of our stakeholders, Bali Village, and we will also attend that event to sign a MOU with Garuda Indonesia offering special incentives to travelers from Europe visiting Bali, such the bonus nights and free night offers such as those made in the past by Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines.

Will such a promotion possibly alienate European Wholesalers who might feel that you are undercutting their contract prices?

We are not pushing every hotel to participate, making it a voluntary decision for each member of the industry.

What about rumors of a proposed promotion in New York City?

After ITB in Berlin, three representatives from BTB will spend 2 weeks in New York City starting from March 20 to promote Bali at the United Nations Building in conjunction Sustainable Development Conference scheduled for the end of May.

How will BTB be funded?

That's a good question - without money we can do nothing. This is a point I continually make to the stakeholders whose individual members are having their own financial problems. We have to be creative. That is why we need two months to devise a program a concrete program to offer to members and other companies. Once we have a concrete program we will present that program to the government and companies and ask them to prove their commitment to tourism promotion. I will ask large companies who derive benefit from tourism to support a number of major events that will provide revenue sources for Bali operators and BTB. We will also seek donations from "special members" - large Indonesian corporations.

How sophisticated is the level of understanding of tourism among policymakers, such as members of Parliament?

I see a great desire to learn about tourism among members of Parliament, particularly among the younger legislators. I am constantly being contacted by lawmakers seeing input on tourism issues.

You are the President director of the GWK Monument project. When is the scheduled completion?

During the ministerial meetings in May/June, where 150 countries will be represented, we are hoping that President Megawati will officiate at the official groundbreaking of the main GWK monument's construction.

Are there special security concerns for the May conference and the possibility they bring of widespread demonstrations?

This is the reason the conference has been moved to Bali which is much easier to keep safe. There will be 3,000 NGO's here. This is the decision of the President.

Any closing comments to offer as BTB's new chairman.

I just want to say to the people of Bali to believe, have heart, and work to make tourism the backbone of our economy. That is my big job I have with my team. I have to persuade them that Bali has to be kept internationally competitive.

^* NOTE: The nine stakeholding organizations comprising BTB are: PHRI - the Indonesian hotel and Restaurant Association; ASITA - the association of Indonesian Travel Agents; Bali Village; Gahawisri - the Sea tourism association; HPI - the association of licensed guides; PATA Bali Chapter; PAWIBA - the tourism transportation association; SIPCO - the association of private conference organizrers; and PUTRI - the Association of Recreation Parks.

More information: Send an E-mail to BTB's Chairman

Entry #10 - Bali Dream Holiday Contest

This Week A Dream Holiday Entry from A Reader in Queensland, Australia.

You still have until the end of April to share your vision of a perfect dream holiday in Bali and 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.

Never Been to Bali? - Not a problem and, perhaps, your entry will help resolve that particular emptiness in your soul. Entries are welcome from everyone in every form, from both veteran travelers to Bali or those who have only dreamed of visiting our tropical paradise.

Coleen Pearson from Earlville, Queensland, Australia, balich@optusnet.com.au, is this week's featured entry in the Bali Dream Holiday Contest.

My Bali Dream Holiday

As soon as we leave the aircraft it begins, the awakening of my senses. I feel the warmth, I smell the sweet perfume of flowers and incense and I feel as if I have come home after a long journey.

I first visited this Island Paradise over twenty years ago. When it was time for me to leave, I knew I was leaving a part of my heart behind.

We leave the airport behind, we drive through the colourful streets of the city where small stalls and large buildings stand side by side. I wish we could stop and shop for some of the beautiful handicrafts they have on show.

Now we drive out into the countryside, through small villages, the children in their neat school uniforms walk hand in hand, smiling and waving to us as we pass.

"Look" I cry out to my husband, a procession is passing by. The men in their sarongs and shirts are playing musical instruments and the women have huge baskets of fruit that they carry so elegantly on their heads. I wish we that we could get out and join them.

Up into the hills we go passing emerald green rice terraces, far down below in a valley a very old man is working with his water buffalo, carrying on his age old profession of rice farming, I wish we could stop and talk to him.

On the side of the road monkeys play, free and happy, no bars here to separate them from us.

Finally we arrive at our destination, a beautiful hotel with glorious tropical gardens. Here we will spend our holiday and from here we shall go out and do all the things I wished that I could do today.

Someone is shaking me gently, "wake up" my husband says. You had such a beautiful smile on your face, where were you, he asks. I will give you one clue I reply, "I was in on holiday".

My husband smiled, "you were in Bali".

"Yes" I replied, "I wish it wasn't a dream, I wish I really was in Bali."

More information: How to Enter the Bali Dream Contest

Indonesia - The Horizon Beyond

Top Level Business Conference Scheduled for Bali March 13-15, 2002.

Some of Indonesia's and the region's top business and government dignitaries will gather in Bali at a conference jointly sponsored by the Indonesian Australia Business Council (IABC) and the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) scheduled for March 13-15 at the Bali International Convention Center.

Indonesia: The Horizon Beyond will feature two days of seminars with topics covering politics, the economy, industry, regional autonomy, labor relations, human rights, and foreign investment. Among the speakers slated to appear are Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security; Ali Alatas, former Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs; Mark Baille, Australian Minister for Trade; Rini Mariana Soewandi, Indonesian Minister for Industry and Trade; Joe Hockey, Australian Minister for Small Business and Tourism and a number of other prominent business and government leaders from both Indonesia and Australia.

For more information or to register at this important event contact Vic Halim, Executive Director, IABC Secretariat telephone ++62-(0)21-5211540 or Facsimile ++62-(0)21-5211541.

More information: Program Details

January Arrivals Decrease

Mixed Results Suggest Lingering Effects of 9-11.

The National Bureau of Statistics showed a nationwide decrease of 7.06% in foreign arrivals when compared to the same month a year ago. Total January arrivals stood at 306,796.

Indonesia's three main gateways showed a 21.56% increase in arrivals at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport, a decrease of 5.9% for Batam, and a 1.93% downturn at Bali's Ngurah Rai airport.

Governor Calls for Rejection of Tax Increase

Beratha Asks Angkasa Pura Not to Impose the 33% Increase.

Bali's Governor Dewa Made Beratha has joined the chorus protesting the increase of the international departure tax from Rp. 75,000 to Rp. 100,000, suggesting that such a hike is inappropriate in the current crisis situation affecting tourism.

The airport departure tax was increased on March 1, 2002, with only 2 day's notice, based on a decision issued by Indonesia's Minister of Communications. The Governor's call for a rejection of the increase is motivated by his concern that tourist arrivals will be negatively impacted by the sudden increase and the primary role of tourism in the island's economy.

In related comments, the Governor emphasized that the Provincial Government would continue to fight for a share of the reported Rp. 400 billion (+/- $40 million) in revenues generated annually by Bali's airport, funds that are currently remitted back in their entirety to Jakarta.

Gathering Funds for PATA 2003 in Bali

Creative Fund Raising Afoot to Pay for PATA Conference in April 2003.

The Indonesian-language KOMPAS in its on-line March 4, 2002, edition carried comments by the Chairman of the Bali Chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Mr. I Gede Wiratha, stating that members of the Bali tourism community were joining forces to contribute Rp. 350 billion (US$ 35 million) to help promote Bali as the destination for the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) conference to be held in Bali in April of 2003.

"These fund will hopefully be collected from the sale of incentive packets in cooperation with Garuda Indonesia on the routes between Europe and Bali.", said Wiratha.

Under the terms of the proposed incentive, the PHRI will extend a discount of 73% from published hotel rates in two packets - one a 5 night/6 day package prices at US$ 125 and the 10 night/11 day package sold at US$ 250.

Meanwhile, The Association of Indonesian Travel Agents (ASITA) and the Indonesian Guide Association (HPI) will make a contribution of US$ 50 - US$ 100 from every travel packet. Members of the tourism industry gathered under the Association of Marine Tourism Operators (Gahawisri) have also pledge a contribution from every packet of between US$ 25 and US$ 50.

The combined discounts from Bali's travel industry will be sold in packages sold over two periods - the first from July-November 2002 and the second, March - July 2003.

To increase Bali's visibility in the European market, part of the funds accumulated will be used to provide special painted exteriors on the Garuda aircraft designed by leading Balinese artists.

PATA Conference Preparations

According to John Pantja, the Head of the Indonesian Private Conference Organizers SIPCO, the provincial government of Bali has given full responsibility for the preparation of the PATA conference to his organization including raising the necessary funds to host the event.

We Get Mail: Rose Buds and Golden Eggs

Readers Tell Us What They Think About The Proposed Visa Fee and the Bali Update.

Bouquets from Ibu Meity

On the occasion of Bali Update's fourth birthday, Meity Robot, the President of the Indonesian Association of Travel Agents (ASITA) iwt@indo.net.id, sent the following e-mail bouquet to the Bali Update team:

Happy 4th Anniversary and congratulations for creating and maintaining a fantastic communications tool for the tourism industry. I'm sure that you've done and are still doing a great job. You're the only person I can think of who is so creative and innovative.

Once again my sincere congratulations and keep up the good work!

Golden Eggs Under Threat

Commenting on Garuda Orient Holiday's Nick Deacock's Editorial in Edition #285 of Bali Update, Hetty Verolme, salan@it.net.au, of Australia commented:

I fully agree with Nick Deacock of Garuda Orient Holidays. Australian tourists are now going more to Thailand as they say it is cheaper.

For a long time now the government in Bali is killing the goose which lays the golden eggs.

Not only for this proposed US$50.00 fee but also for allowing that more and more hotels to be built every day in Bali. The competition is great for the occupation of so many rooms in Bali and the events of 11 September show what will happen to the tourist-flow ... Wake up - the goose may not have many eggs left.

This Cow Won't Give Milk

Dale Morris, a reader from Australia, dmorris@smartchat.net.au, writes:

For what it is worth, the increased Airport service charge is (already) enough to change destinations. Little by Little more Australians are changing destinations from Indonesia to other places kinder to the tourist dollar. AUS$100 for our family will go a long way in Phuket. The tourist cow will only yield so much milk.

Fight Corruption Instead

An Australian reader, who asked to remain anonymous, wrote:

I'm a self-funded retiree and an additional A$100 will curtail my travels to the Isle of Smiles. If the Indonesian government wants to restrict the influx of 'drunken yobbos' - the impost will not mean anything to the wilder young on football tours, but the mature and quieter side of the market will dwindle.

If they really need the money, can I suggest that they expend their energies reducing official corruption instead?

Beyond Our Budget

Raeleene Ryan, AGRFRYAN@bigpond.com, from Australia wrote to say:

Thank you for the information that I have located of your web site on Bali.

As a family and extended family looking to travel to your country this year we will certainly be looking closely at the extra cost the visa fee will add to our travel. As we have never been there, we were looking forward to going but if the fee goes ahead then that an extra AUD$400 we will be looking (again) as I don't know if we could afford it.

It's About the Customer

Rod Wilkinson fnqn@iprimus.com.au, of Cairns, Australia wrote:

With regard to the visa debate, an old business rule comes to mind "if we don't look after the customer, someone else will."

Not Clever, At All

Graham Hornel CEO of the Questbay Group, questbay@bigpond.com, sent the following comments:

Since September 11, 2001, an already very competitive industry has faced incredible challenges. Even "sister destinations" are openly willing to take full advantage of a competitor's turmoil or problems. Such tactics are hard to argue against - or to combat.

If Indonesia was benefiting from a cohesive, well-managed and well-funded destination marketing effort coordinated at national level with realistic support from the provinces, then knee-jerk proposals like visa fees might have some validity.

Since there has been and still is no such effort by comparison to even the smallest ASEAN destinations, introduction of any further barriers to selling Indonesia as a worthwhile travel destination have no such validity or rationale.

Better - much better - those who come up with such ill-thought proposals (should) alternatively invest their creativity in determining how all involved in Indonesian Tourism can truly lift their collective game and can begin to work productively together towards winning a fair market share for their destination.

This will not happen by accident - and imposing barriers like visa fees and the likes clearly is not the clever way to go in 2002.

A Dissenting Voice

And finally, an American reader, David Bennet, PetaluPost@aol.com, wrote, suggesting the proposed $50 visa fee is not worthy of all this debate:

I don't understand all the bad vibes about the $50 surcharge at the airport. I was in Bali last year for 3 weeks from Sonoma County, California. I spent more than $50 at the airport in San Francisco and the airport in Japan before even arriving in Bali 20 hours later.

If Bali needs $50, so be it. I spent nearly $200 in extra costs during my round trip airline flights which is money I'd rather see in the hands of the Bali government.

All those Australians who have Bali in their backyard, shame on you for dickering.

More information: Tell Us What You Think

Race On for Garuda's Top Spot

Names Surface of Those Seeking to Lead the National Air Carrier.

Names and no small amount of controversy are surfacing in the race for the job of Garuda Indonesia Managing Director.

The suggestion that Samudera Sukardi, a 20-plus year veteran at the airline and the brother of Indonesia's Minister for State Owned Enterprises - Laksamana Sukardi, is a leading candidate for the post has raised issues of nepotism and potential conflicts of interest.Laksamana Sukardi's ministerial portfolio includes oversight of the national airline and the right to appoint the Managing Director of the airline.

Samudera Sukardi's current position is as the Managing Director of P.T. Abacus, a subsidiary of the airline charged with handling its reservations system.

Other names mentioned to be in contention for Garuda's top post are Emirsyah Satar who currently serves as the airline's Financial Director; Rudy Hardono Garuda's Operations Director; and Richard B. Sukardarusman, Garuda's Technical Director.

Cvetko on Tourism Consulting

At the End of a Bali Assignment, John Cvetko Shares His Thoughts on Sustainable Tourism.

Shortly before leaving Bali in late February 2002 at the end of an assignment with Sobek, veteran tourism consultant John Cvetko spoke about his latest venture, tourism23 - a tourism consultancy company that aims to combine the key elements of development practice and tourism.

When asked why he felt a need for a consultancy such as tourism23, Cvetko said, "there are key critical components that must be incorporated when designing community or development projects in developing regions or countries. These include, amongst others components, Culture, Social, Gender & Environmental issues. As the concept of Sustainable Tourism matures, such critical components will become an integral part of the policy development process for nations and individual tourism organisations."

"Currently, tourism is in many ways viewed solely as an economic tool, but sustainable tourism has a greater value, when incorporating the factors mentioned above. The role of tourism23 is to support organisations and governments wanting to develop sustainable tourism programs that view community, culture and social issues as integral to sustainable tourism, as is sound environmental practice."

tourism23 offers a diversity of services by utilising a core group of associates and seconding sectoral expertise when required for specific roles. Their core component of expertise has experience in over 10 nations, in key areas of tourism policy development, environmental project management, adventure tourism and business development. tourism23 also offers an education platform on its website, offering discussion papers and real life case studies, which teachers of tourism or development studies can use for open discussion and role play.

Cvetko revealed that he will be personally supporting this interactive component by answering questions and discussing scenarios related to the case studies on line. On this component Cvetko added, "it's critical that we share information and discuss real issues in sustainable tourism. We are talking about intellectual property that should be public domain or no one benefits. Skill in sustainable tourism should not be viewed as a commodity, few people can offer. By offering some real case studies, I hope that students can start learning early about the key issues they will deal with when they become active in the industry."

For more information on the scope of work undertaken by tourism23, visit their web site.

More information: tourism23 website

Painting a Better World

Local Painters Auction their Work to Aid a Number of Important Community Projects.

The Foundation for Humanitarian Projects is hosting another fund-raising event in support of their invaluable humanitarian assistance programs on the island of Bali. The foundation has a number of projects including sight restoration and blindness prevention, cleft lip and palate repair, assistance for desperately-ill children, a wheel chair program, provision of clean water to remote villages, literacy and numeracy programs, financial assistance for primary school children, and plans to set up a tuberculosis laboratory in Bali in 2002.

Its latest fund raising event will be in the form of an exhibition, auction, and sale by some of Indonesia best known artists on Saturday, March 16^th at 6.30 p.m. at the Jenggala Keramik on Jalan Uluwatu II, Jimbaran Bay. The exhibition will run through April 30^th.

Among the Indonesian artists displaying their works will be Marc Jurk, Eko Prabowo, B.G. Hofker, Shane Sweeney, Peter Ditmar, J Bogi, Antonio Blanco, John Van Der Sterren, Made Wianta, Nyoman Sukaya, Sikajaya, Kelly Sullivan, Nyoman Gunarsa, Sutomo, Jatin Das, Jim Elliot, Joan Redorta, Agung Rai, Co Schouten, Moko, Nyoman Batuan, Carlos Goyeneche, Nyoman Sukaya, and Aji.

Attendance at the cocktail on March 16th must be confirmed before the event by telephoning ++62-(0)361-284101.

Editorial: Misplaced Enthusiasm?

Many are Euphoric at The Sudden Change of Venue for a Major U.N. Conference from Jakarta to Bali. We Suggest a More Cautious Outlook May be in Order.

In a surprise announcement from President Megawati Soekarnoputri, a major U.N. Conference scheduled for Jakarta in late May has suddenly been shifted to Bali. The Fourth Preparatory Committee Meeting for Earth Summit on Sustainable Development, scheduled for May 27 through 07 June, and expected to draw Environmental Ministers from over 150 countries and 6,000 participants from around the world, was suddenly shifted by the Government from Jakarta to Bali.

Good News?

While the initial reaction of Bali's tourism community is one of unbridled jubilation at the thought of full to capacity hotels and ringing cash registers across the island, we suggest that an air of thoughtful concern and trepidation may, in fact, be a more appropriate response to this sudden development.

The harsh reality may be that the decision to move this important conference leading up to the September Earth Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, has less to do with Bali's undeniable charm as a conference destination and more to do with an uncertain security situation for a major conference in Jakarta.

A Matter of Carrying Capacity

It will be sadly ironic if an environmental conference becomes an unintentional case study on Bali's inadequate carrying capacity for an event of this magnitude.

Bali's largest conference venue holds a maximum 2,500 people, a number far short of the estimated 6,000 people who will attend the plenary sessions. To deal with this limitation, the Government is reportedly planning to spread conference and entertainment venues across several hotels using modern broadcast technologies. While this is a reasonable solution given the size limitations of local facilities, it will prove problematic to delegates who will question traveling half-way round the world to network with each other on a single island via television technology.

Security Concerns

Without discounting the skills and expertise of the Country's security and intelligence services, such a sudden and late decision must place extraordinary pressures on those entrusted to maintain the peace at the coming conference. In this post 9-11 world, security preparations are a matter of fundamental importance as threats have increased exponentially in the face of heretofore-unimaginable threats.

Clearly, there are forces afoot in the world today that would love to disrupt such an important conference. That, along the way, they managed to embarrass Ibu Megawati's Governemnt would, for them, be seen as an added bonus. Another more benign, but equally concerning, threat to the coming conference comes from the internationally organized political activists who see such events as an opportunity to take to the streets in front of the world's press. Are our security foces equipped, both physically and psychologically, to deal for the first time with international protestors, well practiced in street theatre and provocation?

Hopefully, militant protestors will steer clear of the Bali conference in late May. Should they come, however, we pray such demonstrators will not seek to profit from Indonesia's inexperience in dealing with “international street politics.” We also pray they will not tragically miscalculate the ferocity of Bali's traditional community-based civilian defense forces who quite literally "pull no punches" in maintaining order in their neighborhoods.

Again, we’re sure that the security teams have plans in hand for the coming conference, taking into account both the local and international dynamics of staging such an event in Bali.

Bali's long standing peace may render us unaccustomed to the public demonstrations that accompany such events. Equally, outside agitators may be shocked by the potential response of a traditional community with a reputation for jealously guarding their domestic peace at all costs.

Time Will Tell

Please do not misinterpret our concern on the coming conference in late May. As professional conference operators, the founder of the Bali MICE Initiative and publishers of Bali's first comprehensive conference guide - we are among the first to rejoice at any development that advances the island's reputation as a major conference destination. Accordingly, nothing would please us more than, after the coming event has passed, to be proven unnecessarily worrisome about Bali's ability to both physically and emotionally handle the challenges posed by the meeting in late May.

It is our firm hope that the May conference is an unprecedented success. Still, none of the organizers should underestimate the size and complexity of the challenges that have been thrust upon the island with so little advance notice.

Bali's International School Bazaar

Fun + Games = Fund Raising for Bali's Longest Established International School on Saturday, March 16.

The Bali International School (BIS) Bazaar will provide a day of relaxed fun for island residents and visitors alike on Saturday, March 16, 2002. The family oriented day will also provide much needed funds for a number of school and community improvement projects planned by the island's oldest established international teaching center.

Children attending the event will be able to enter a jumping castle, play volleyball and even test their skills on computer games - all under the watchful supervision of parent and teacher volunteers.

Students at the school have caught the spirit of the event and will be organizing their own activities such as face painting, hair braiding, ping-pong, a bake sale, and an indoor War Hammer game. The school's rock band will perform on stage, along with other talented student entertainers. Meanwhile, more refined listeners ears will have the chance to be serenaded by a gamelan orchestra from the local banjar, celebrating and strengthening the school's links with its host community in Sanur.

"Bali International School is important to many of Bali's expatriate families. They are supporting their school by donating terrific prizes for our raffles," said Dr. Nelson, who heads the school. Raffle tickets are Rp 20.000 each and will be on sale at the event.

Bali International School has invited 40 local merchants to participate by promoting products at the Bazaar.

Established in 1986 by a small group of parents, The Bali International School is a not-for-profit foundation. Completely self-supporting, all profits are reinvested to maintain and improve the amenities for the students and teachers. As a result, the school now has an extensive range of modern facilities for its 300 students. Last year a new senior school was built, including a computer and science Lab.

The Bali International School Bazaar will run from 10.00 a.m. until 3.00 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, and is open to all. The event will be held at the school, just off the Bypass (behind the Sarinah Supermarket), on Jalan Danau Buyan IV/15, Sanur. Entry tickets are Rp 10.000 for adults and Rp 5.000 for children.

For further details, telephone the school at ++62-(0)361-288770.

More JAL Flights

Announced Routes Show Growing Importance of Bali.

Bali Airport Officials recently revealed that commencing in April, Japan Airline (JAL) will increase its four flights each week to Indonesia to a daily service.

The current services by JAL transits Jakarta on their way to Bali. The 3 additional flights, however, will fly directly to Bali without the intermediate stop in the nation's capital.

The informative Indonesia Digest, strategy@cabi.net.id, reports that Garuda Indonesia is also considering changing its current routings on ex-Tokyo flights to become direct Bali services, skipping the current intermediate stop in Jakarta.

Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport serves some 125 international flights each week.