BALI UPDATE #291 - 15 April 2002

Minister Ardika Hints at Visa Changes

Minister of Culture and Tourism Sheds Light on Possible Changes in Visa Policy.

In comments made to the Indonesian-language Bisnis Indonesia (11 April 2002), during his visit to an International Silk Exhibition in Yogyakarta, Central Java, Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. I Gde Ardika, hinted at the changes that may be in store for Indonesia's tourist visa policy.

More Countries, But Most to Pay

Early indications are that the number of countries allowed to obtain entry permits or visa's on arrival in Indonesia will increase from the current number of 48 countries.

Visa Will Cost

However, under the new policy, those arriving at an international gateway will be levied a visa-charge for what will likely become a 30 day visa, shortened from the current 60 day stay permit issued to most international visitors. According to the Minister, the amount to be charged and currency to be used are still under discussion. There is also a possibility that the visa may be extendable for an additional 30 days by paying a similar fee as that charged on initial arrival.

Change To Be Introduced Gradually

The Minister also told the newspaper that the new policy continues to be discussed intensively at Cabinet level with the Government expected to announce the final form of the new policy soon. The new policy, in the form of a Presidential Decision, will most likely be gradually introduced over a 6 month period.

More information: Editorial: Make it Ticket Inclusive, Please!

A Bridge Too Close

Presidential Announcment of a Bridge to Connect Bali and Java Get's an Unenthusiastic Response from Bali's Locals.

The Presidential announcement of a mega-project connecting Bali and Java by bridge following Ibu Megawati Soekarnoputri's recent visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC) has earned little support among officials and the public on the island.

Acknowledging that Bali is an integral part of the Indonesian Republic, Putu Agus Suradnyana, the Chairman of Commission "D" in the Provincial Parliament for Bali, called for a careful review of the proposed bridge project. Suggesting fears of a cultural invasion from Java would be insufficient basis to reject the project, he suggested academicians must be engaged to measure the effect of such a project on the carrying capacity of Bali encompassing all aspects of sustainability - environmental, physical, social and cultural.

Similar comments suggesting the President's announcement failed to first take into account the aspirations of the people of Bali were made by prominent members of the regional parliaments around the island. A review of the local press finds little support for the idea, seen by many as a fundamental threat to the island's cultural integrity.

Trying to defuse the situation, Bali's Governor I Dewa Made Beratha, downplayed the Presidential announcement, depicting the plan as nothing more than a proposal at this stage reflecting only the desire of the PRC Government to extend technical and financial aid to the Indonesian Republic. This, despite the fact that The President also announced a very ambitious completion date of 2003 for the proposed bridge. The Governor emphasized that a careful study and review including the views of religious leaders, cultural exponents and environmentalists would be needed before the proposed project could be seriously considered.

The narrow straits between Bali and Java are currently connected by a ferry service.

Garuda To Go Public by 2003?

National Carrier Still on Target for Stock Market Listing in 2 Year's Time.

Garuda Indonesia remains optimistic that it will be successful in its bid to be a publicly listed company by the year 2003.

Mr. Bachrul Hakim, the commercial director of the airline recently insisted that his company would maintain its profitability, take itself public in 2003, and avoid going to the Government for any further financial support. Citing the professional management culture now prevailing at Garuda and the Company's current financial performance, the airline's commercial director was buoyant that the target to "go public" set for the carrier in 1998 would happen on schedule in 2003.

Garuda controls 60% of the Indonesian domestic air market over the routes it operates or 45% of capacity on all domestic routes.

After losing Rp. 2.2 trillion in 1998, the airline managed a dramatic turn around the following year, recording a profit of Rp. 409 billion - the first profitable year in many years for Garuda. While currency exchange losses caused a loss of Rp. 78 billion in the fiscal year 2000, a modest profit of Rp. 46 billion was logged in for 2001.

Rules issued by the Indonesian Stock Market require three years of sustained profitability before a company can make an initial public offering.

Editorial: Make it Ticket Inclusive, Please!

Balidiscovery.com Argues for Distancing The Immigration Process from Cash.

Following the developing story surrounding rumored changes in Indonesia's tourist visa policy, those of us in the tourism industry have a growing sense that significant changes in how visas are issued are looming inevitably on the horizon.

Frankly, our policy-makers could hardly display a worse sense of timing. Indonesia continues to suffer the fall-out from the tagic events of 9-11 and the accompanying baggage of being unjustly portrayed in some quarters as terrorist-friendly and unsafe for tourism. Gradually, the situation is improving as Bali Update and others try to tell the other side of the story and as increasing numbers of visitors return home to tell their friends that Indonesia - and particularly Bali - are absolutely safe and very welcoming to American's and other nationals. Still, such "good will" circulated only by word-of-mouth takes time, especially in the face of massive advertising budgets from competing markets such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand who, unlike their neighbor to the south, are not content to wait for tourists to slowly rediscover the natural charms of their destinations.

The Why and Wherefore

Against this background, the why and wherefore of current moves to restrict Indonesia's tourist visa policy defies comprehension.

Is it to raise badly needed government revenues through the introduction of the fee?

If that is the motivation, the reasoning is as flawed as it is fallacious. The results of a survey carried out by the Bali Chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) 2 years ago, submitted to the Government when the change in visa policy was first suggested, showed that arrivals may decrease as much as 33% if the proposed visa fee is introduced. Using the Government's own figures on average tourist spend of US$ 1,000 per person, the potential downside of the new policy could be more than $1.7 billion dollars lost in desperately needed foreign exchange. If necessary, we could extrapolate those figures further, showing the number of jobs that will be lost as the national tourism industry stagnate furthers om the wake of the visa fee, but such an exercise becomes much too macabre to even contemplate.

Is the fee to stop the flow of illegal migrants using Indonesia as a stepping stone to third countries?

This argument, opined in some quarters, remains unconvincing. Some authorities have claimed that the proposed visa fee will somehow deter refuges and asylum seekers. We ask: How so? Aren't policies already in place that allow immigration authorities to ask all visitors to demonstrate financial capability and their intent to depart Indonesia after their holiday visit? How will charging a fee at the gateway alter a system where desperate people will pay ten of thousands of dollars to be smuggled in unseaworthy vessels into and out of Indonesia? How will the introduction of an additional fee somehow correct the venality of that minority group of officials determined to prey on the hapless and desperate coming to our shores

If Charge We Must, Then Include it In the Ticket Price, Please

If, as it seems, national policy makers are intent on implementing a visa charge, we implore them to at least have the foresight to include those charges in the ticket price. Under no circumstances should such charges be levied upon arrival at one of Indonesia's gateways. The reasons for including any visa fee in the ticket cost are both numerous and obvious.

It's transparent and accountable.

Much of the current amounts paid for fiskal fees and airport service charges in Indonesia are unaccounted for, evaporating on the journey from the payee to the state coffers. The proposed visa fee, included in the airline ticket would become totally transparent and accountable with checks delivered each month to the Department of Finance by each of the international carriers serving the Country.

Money and State Security Don't Mix.

It's only good management practice to keep money out of the equation when State's security is on the line. Let's keep our overworked immigration officers free of the distracting smell, sight, and feel of hard cold cash when they're busy deciding whether or not a potential visitor meets the stated security requirements for the issuance of a tourist visa. This is both good sense and common sense.

It's more efficient.

The very last thing tourist visitors need after standing in long lines to obtain their visa stamp is yet another line or an added bureacratic step of settling a visa fee before they are allowed to enter the Country. By including the amount in the already purchased ticket price, the process becomes both more efficient and consistent with best practice internationally. On the most practical level, heated arguments with visitors over paying the new visa fee are side stepped completely when the visa fee has already been addressed at the time of ticket purchase.

The Indonesian language has a saying that goes Jatuh, tertimpa tangga or, quite literally, to have the misfortune to not only fall ,but to also strike one's head on the stairs in the process. If, as it seems, a visa charge is inevitable, let's not make matters worse. Let's put the fee in the ticket price and keep the money off the table.

More information: Share your Comments

Five Hotels to be Privatized

Hotel Indonesian Natour Group to Sell Off 5 Bali Properties.

Five Government-owned hotels in Bali operated by the Hotel Indonesia Natour (HIN) Group are set for partial or complete sale to private interests in a move slated to maximize the profit performance of the underachieving hotels presently operated by the group.

In a press conference held on April 4, 2002, in Bali, Mr. Ferdinand Nainggolan, the Commissioner of the HIN Group revealed that of the 16 hotels operated by his group in 8 Indonesian provinces, 14 would soon be placed on offer to domestic and overseas investors for joint venture or joint operations.

He cited the highly competitive nature of the hotel industry and the capital required to upgrade and improve facilities and the need to improve the lackluster financial performance of the government owned hotels as a prime motivation in the decision to undertake the sale.

Entry #15 - Bali Dream Contest

With Only Two Weeks to go - the latest entry from Malaysia.

There are so many excellent entries that we'll still be sharing dream holiday entries well into the month of May - and perhaps beyond. So if you haven't seen your entry yet, don't despair. Remember, we'll soon be giving away a Bali Dream Holiday for two. Send your vision of a perfect dream holiday in Bali and earn the chance to win 2 tickets on Singapore Airlines, 7 nights at the Four 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.

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.

Dianne Buerger, buerger@pd.jaring.my, from Malaysia sent this week's dream selection in the form of a letter to a friend:

Dream Holiday in Bali

Dear Angela,

You asked me to tell you about life in Bali. The physical similarities to other islands are there with fabulous beaches, palm and coconut trees, tropical flowers and exotic fruits, however Bali is unique.

The special reverence the gentle Balinese have for their Hindu religion is reflected in everyday living. Life here is the daily sighting of offerings placed at strategic positions in the temple, home and workplace or at road crossings. It's the smell of incense, the sound of bamboo instruments or the pounding of a kul-kul to call people together.

It's driving down a small road lined with penjors - large decorated bamboo poles that invite the gods to descend from the heavens to earth. Or being stuck in traffic behind a large group of people dressed in ceremonial clothes, bound for the temple. It's seeing villagers bathe in creeks beside the road and the huge white smiles of children who wave madly and chase your car.

It's the choice of five-star hotel luxury or the blessed simplicity of a warung and home stay. It's the fun of bargaining while shopping and cries of "You want watch, rent car, massage, plaint your hair, bracelet, transport, change money?"

It's amazement at the skill and patience of painters, woodcarvers, dancers, musicians, weavers and silver and goldsmiths. It's the wonder that a whole family (and their pet!) can fit on one motorbike.

It's the smell of exotic spices and the satisfaction of a sumptuous fish dinner on the beach at Jimbaran Bay. It's the beauty of beaches, mountains, rice fields and volcanoes. It's luscious tropical gardens and outdoor living.

It's joy that here, children are cherished beings.

Life in Bali is all these things and more. How I dream of taking you there to experience it all.

Sweet dreams my friend.

More information: How to Enter the Bali Dream Holiday Contest

Chris Taylor Rules The Range

Celebrated Perth, Australia Chef in Brief Engagement at The Legian.

Dorin Schuster, Executive Chef of The Legian in Bali has invited Chef Chris Taylor from Fraser's Restaurant, Perth, Australian to celebrate the opening of The Club at The Legian. In a limited engagement, Chris will prepare a once only, exclusive dinner for outside guests on Friday, April 26, 2002.

The special dinner costing Rp. 680,000 per person, inclusive of 21% tax and service, will begin with a Madfish Wines Tasting in The Legian Meeting Room at 7.30 pm, followed by a five course dinner at The Legian Pool Side accompanied by Piano Jazz. And, for cigar aficionados, following the meal, a special The Legian Cigar with a glass of Single Malt Whisky will be offered in The Lobby Lounge & Bar.

Chef Taylor is in charge of the kitchens of the famed Fraser's Restaurant in Perth, Australia, and recently presented a culinary showcase at the Singapore Marriott Hotel's Marriott Cafe. There, the chef of the highly acclaimed, multi-award-winning restaurant, dazzled diners with his a la carte specialties like king prawn and black olive crostini with red pepper and virgin olive oil, roast kangaroo loin with onion 'jam', and macerated strawberries with white chocolate and roast walnut parfait.

For Reservations call ++62-(0 361-730 622 or e-mail fb@thelegianbali.com.

More information: Book a Stay At The Legian

7-11 Made in Heaven?

Jakarta's Announcement of a Proposed Casino Sharpens Community Divisions. A Foreshadow of Things to Come in Bali?

Movements underway to pave the way for the opening of a licensed casino in the Thousand Island Area, just north of the Nation's Capital, have re-awoken strong feelings in the Community both for and against "gambling tourism".

The Regent of the Pulau Seribu or Thousand Island area of Jakarta, Mr. Abdul Kadir revealed investor's plans to open a casino during a meeting of the Jakarta City Legislative Council held in early April in the Capital. Jakarta's Governor, Sutiyoso quickly endorsed the plan seeing it as a means to curb illegal gambling in the city and raise an estimated $US 150 million in badly needed tax revenues every year.

Predictably, negative response to the proposal appeared almost immediately with demonstrators massing in front of the Governor's residence in the Menteng Area of Jakarta and prominent religious leaders from the Council of Ulema's voicing their strong opposition to the plan.

Although yet to make a formal statement on the Pulau Seribu proposal, Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, I Gde Ardika, has in the past repeatedly stated his opposition to any form of gambling tourism in Indonesia, portraying such programs as against Indonesian law and inimical to the Nation's culture and religious roots.

Local pundits in Bali will be watching developments closely in Jakarta as several local businessmen have been thwarted in their past efforts to establish legalized gambling on the island.

A Dynastic Change

$US 2 Million Renovation Completed at Bali Dynasty.

The Bali Dynasty Resort, located in the Tuban area just south of Kuta and only a few minutes walk to the shopping and entertainment Mecca of Kuta, has just undergone major renovations.

Renovations estimated to have cost over US $2 million have included the entire refurbishment of the pool area, the addition of a swim-up pool bar, and the re-modeling the Tropical Café (poolside café) now with an open kitchen including a new pizza corner and buffet counters for the themed evenings.

The upper lawn area of the Resort has also undergone a transformation with a new Sunset Bar boasting an upper deck providing uninterrupted sunset views. A new 42 meter lazy pool has been added with loungers set into the water enabling guests to relax in the cool water or to enjoy a shoulder massage provided by water fountains. A new Spa Villa is also now available, offering a variety of traditional massage treatments.

The resort's Fun Pub has adopted a traditional Irish Pub theme. Dubbed "Gracie Kelly's", the new pub is split into sections which will include Gracie's Shop Bar; Gracie's Kitchenserving wholesome, fresh homemade food; Gracie's Games Room with pool and darts; Gracie's Parlor with a fireplace; and Gracie's Arcade with arcade games to keep the kids entertained in the evenings.

The Resort's lower lobby has been transformed into an Italian Piazza - the central feature of which are a Café Piazza that is open throughout the day serving a selection of coffees, teas and refreshments including "make your own" styled sandwich bar. As you might expect, the central piazza has trees and a large central fountain. The Piazza is surrounded white archways providing access to the Resort's shops, the coffee shop and Gracie Kelly's Irish Pub.

Since early 2001, the resort has seen undertaken a complete refurbishment of the guests' rooms and bathrooms using luxurious marble and high quality bathroom fixtures. Bedrooms have had a facelift through the introduction of brighter décors, new floor tiles and new air-conditioning.

The resort also now boasts a wider selection of family rooms including the addition of Kids Suites. A "room within a room" concept, the Kid's Suites have a separate, brightly painted partitioned area with bunk beds and a play stations for the kids, allowing additional privacy for parents.

In late 2001 the resort completed a building extension which incorporated meeting facilities and a late-check-out Departure Lounge. The Departure Lounge consists of changing areas, showers and massage rooms, as well as a large lounge areas with TV, Library and Internet access.

More information: Book a stay at the Bali Dynasty Hotel

Not a Silent Night

Minor Neighborhood Skirmishes Mar the Lead Up to Nyepi Day.

On Friday Night, April 12^th marked the traditional eve before Bali's mandatory day of silence- a day that saw the entire island shut down becoming a virtual ghost town for 24 hours. The night before the big day or Nyepi Eve, is a day when Balinese villages take to the streets in mardi gras fashion parading large paper mache daemons carried on the shoulders of the male members of the local banjar. Often fueled on by generous quantities of arak rice wine, the young men dance in the street exorcising daemons, some seemingly personal.

As in year's past, several local banjars got carried away in this year's celebrations and now face the unhappy prospect of dealing with local law enforcement officials and repairing the damage they inflicted on fellow Balinese and local shopkeepers.

According to a report in the Jakarta Post's April 14^th edition, some 10 shops and 12 motor vehicles were damaged in two separate incident during Friday's Ogoh Ogoh parade. In addition, four people suffered injuries during the melee's.

The outbreaks of vandalism occurred in the Bualu district near Bali's Nusa Dua Complex resulting in damages to a number of stores at the intersection just outside the formal entrance to the complex housing 4,500 hotel rooms, while the second incident, in the Abian Semal district of Denpasar, resulted in both property damage and four personal injury reports.

The situation remained tense on Sunday as a group estimated at 500 returned to the scene of the Bualu incident to demanded Police arrest the men from a neighboring village seen to have instigated the vandalism. Responding to the crowd, the Police quickly took three local men into custody for questioning in connection with the brawl.

It's Not Easy Being Green

Bali Inter-Continental Wins Environmental Award.

Kuoni Travel Ltd. of Switzerland have presented their coveted Green Planet Award to the Bali Inter-Continental Resort, giving yet another recognition to the active environmental efforts of that well-known five-star Resort located on Bali's Jimbaran Bay.

In the category of beach holiday destinations worldwide, Kuoni Travel - one of the world's largest travel operators invited 607 hotel partners to participate in the award competition to earn their environmental seal affirming a high degree of ongoing environmental protection and conservation. In the end, only 39 hotels have met the strict award requirements, with Bali Inter Continental Resort being the sole Bali resort to qualify.

In the comprehensive Green Planet evaluation that forms a part of the of the certificate, with a scale of '0' indicating need for improvement and '10' for exemplary environmental standards, the Bali Inter-Continental Resort scored '9.0' in Environmental program and Communication against the program's worldwide average of only '3.5'.

The 425-room Bali Inter-Continental Resort was ranked amongst the Top 10 Asian Resorts in Condé Nast Traveler's magazine in their 7^th Annual Gold List Readers' Choice Awards 2000.

More information: Book the Bali Inter-Continental Resort

Bali By Crayon

Bali Launches a Children's Coloring Book During an Art Exhibition.

The Dance of Bali Coloring Book by Bali's leading cartoonist Gun Gun will be launched during an art exhibition by local children at the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel in cooperation with Kiki Studio. At the same event, another book, the Balinese Folktale Serial Book will also be launched.

In conjunction with the art exhibition and coloring book launch, a children's art competition will be held using the coloring book as the media for the children's entry.

For more information contact KIKI Studio at Jl. Hang Tuah No. 18x, Block C, Sanur, Denpasar Bali. Telephone/facsimile ++62-(0)361-284109.

The competition will run from April 15-27 at the Kartika Plaza Hotel.

Lombok for Lunch?

Travira Air and Oberoi Lombok Offer Unique Lombok Lunch Option for Bali Visitors.

Bali and Lombok just got closer. So close, in fact, that it's now possible to stop in Lombok for a quick lunch during your next Bali holiday.

Travira Air in collaboration with the The Oberoi, Lombok are now offering fly and lunch options for visitors eager to enjoy a gourmet lunch at the Oberoi's luxury beach-side resort located on that island's northwest shore.

Departing every Wednesday and Friday at 12:45 pm from Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport with Travira's luxurious 9-passenger float plane, guests will land some 20 minutes late in Lombok's Medana Bay at The Oberoi, Lombok.

A minimum of 4 people is required and as many as 9 people may join for this exciting day trip. The price per person is US$ 135.00 plus 10% V.A.T. per person and includes: transfer from your hotel to Ngurah Rai Airport; Lunch at The Oberoi, Lombok (excluding alcoholic beverages); flight to and from Bali. After a tour of the hotel and a delicious lunch prepared by the Resort's master-chef, Marl Hagenbach there'll still be time for a brief swim in the ocean or the pool before boarding the flight that will have you back in Bali at 4 p.m..

Lombok for lunch, anyone?

More information: To Book a Lombok Lunch Flight

Aman Resort's Dan Reid Moves On

Hard Working Canadian Leave Bali to Return to Caribbean Climes.

The popular and hard-working Manager of Aman Resorts in Indonesia, Dan Reid, has accepted a position as the Managing Director of the Jumby Bay Resort in Antiqua, returning to a region of the world where he spent 8 years in the 1980's and 1990's. Joining Aman Resorts in 1994, Reid has worked with that group in the Philippines and Bali.

In his new position with Jumby Bay Resorts, he will oversee a US$ 2.5. renovation of the 39-room resort property managed by the Rosewood Hotel & Resort group. Located just 10 minutes off shore by ferry from Antigua, the Jumby Bay Resort offers 39 suites in an enclave of luxury homes.

Dan Reid will assume his new position from May 15, 2002.

Replacing Reid will be Guy Heywood, the current General Manager of the award-winning Amankila Resort in Karangasem, East Bali.

More information: Send Dan Reid an E-mail