BALI UPDATE #304 - 15 July 2002

Local Abundance

Domestic Tourism is Back and Booming!

Indonesian domestic tourism, still in the doldrums last year as a result of lingering political and economic woes, is apparently back and booming.

Aided by brightening economic horizons generally, a strengthening rupiah, and extended school holidays, Indonesians are flocking in substantial numbers to Bali as evidenced by full domestic flights to major tourist destinations and the corresponding full hotel rooms in resort properties offering special discounted rates to the domestic market.

Fully Booked Domestic Flights

Officials at Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport report that domestic flights operating between Jakarta and Surabaya to Denpasar (Bali) have been fully booked over the past month. Despite supplementing existing flight schedules with additional holiday flights, long waiting lists were in operation on many flights to and from the island.

Garuda Indonesia operates 6 daily flights from Jakarta and 2 daily frequencies from Surabaya. The Garuda subsidiary citylink flies on a daily basis from Surabaya, the capital of East Java. Merpati Nusantara flies once daily from Jakarta and twice each day from Surabaya. Meanwhile, Bouraq Airlines flies from Surabaya three times a day.

All carriers were reporting 100% loads, expected to begin to ease from July 15 when local school holidays come to an end.

Hotels in Yogyakarta and Bali Enjoying the Influx

After an extended drought in tourism visitors, hotels in the Central Javanese capital of Yogyakarta reported "no vacancies" at many properties during the height of the current domestic tourist boom.

Local tourist objects in Yogyakarta logged much higher than normal visitor numbers. The Kebun Binatang Gembira Loka, Yogyakarta's Zoo, counted daily visitor numbers of between 10 - 15,000 - an increase from normal daily numbers of around 500.

Similarly, many hotels along the Tuban, Kuta, Legian hotel corridor in Bali were running full during the school holiday period, making up for the current shortfall in Australian and Japanese visitors to Bali.

Busses carrying domestic groups of travelers and out of province license plates have been very much in evidence in Bali over the current school holiday period.

Cremating A Turtle

Village Seek God's Redemption by Cremating Their Victim.

The Klungkung Regency in East Bali was the scene of perhaps the first cremation of a turtle conducted by villagers seeking to regain God's favor.

As Hindu's, cremation is the preferred final rite of passage for most of the island's human inhabitants. This final act of purification is, however, in its religious format, seldom extended to other members of nature's cast of characters. In fact, experts claim that the ceremonial cremation of a giant turtle conducted in the village of Tojan in a public ceremony on Friday, July 5^th was the first of its kind on the island.

The saga began in early June when a group of village fisherman captured and killed a turtle said to measure over 2.25 meters in length and weigh 500 kilograms. Hoping to sell the meat in the local market, the fisherman's plans were thwarted when markings on the turtle were interpreted by local religious leaders as signifying the turtle was the incarnation of Segara Kidul, the mighty ruler of the southern oceans and a protector of their seaside village.

Fearful of the consequences of eating the flesh of a god, the turtle meat remained unsold in Denpasar's main market. Forced to bring the turtle back to the village and bury its remains, the fisherman suddenly began to fall victim to peculiar ailments that produced bruises and contusions on their bodies and sent some of them into trances.

A growing panic surrounding the turtle's death and it portent of ill-omen increased when reports of strange sightings and occurrences at the place where the turtle was buried began circulating.

Fearing the worse was yet to come, the village religious leaders - Pemangku - decreed that to safeguard the village the remains of the turtle must be disinterred to be bathed and anointed in accordance with Hindu rituals ordinarily accorded exclusively to human members of the community. This done, a symbolic cremation of the turtle followed intended to allow its soul's entry into heaven.

Covered widely in the local and national press, the ceremony was attended by hundreds of religious devotees, many moved to tears or repentance and penance for failing to maintain the Hindu tenet of Tri Hita Kirana. That philosophic mainstay of Balinese Hinduism mandates the maintenance of balance between man and man, man and nature, and man and god - all three violated by the brutal killing of the giant turtle.

Turtle meat, once a mainstay of Balinese ritual feasts is in diminished demand following governmental decrees demanding jail terms for those involved in its trade.

Certainly, in one village of Klungkung, the taste of turtle meat is now much less sweet than in days past.

Taxi Rates Increase

Bali Taxi Fares Go Up 30%.

Following the issuance of a decision by Bali's Governor on June 27, 2002, Bali's taxi fares increased 30% effective July 12^th.

Under the new taxi fare tariff, initial flag fall increases from Rp. 3,000 to Rp. 4,000 (approximately US$ 0.45), while the per kilometer charge goes from Rp. 1,500 to Rp. 2,000 (approximately US$ 0.22). Waiting or standing times have also increased from Rp. 15,000 to Rp. 20,000 per hour (approximately US$ 2.25).

Taxi Operators Long Standing Demand for Hike.

The decision approving the increase was long awaited by the operators of Bali's more than 1,000 registered taxis who have complained that 3 successive fuel price hikes and increased cost of spare parts threatened to bankrupt their operations. Meanwhile, the local Bali Consumer Protection Agency (YLKI) has lobbied the provincial Government to forestall any increase in taxi fares and, at the very least, ensure that any increase in rates was tied to an improvement in service standards.

Caution Urged

During the transition period for the introduction of the new fares, passengers are recommended to check the flag fall charge at the commencement of their journey. If the price on the meter upon boarding a local tax shows Rp. 4,000 that signifies the meter has been recalibrated and no additional charge over and above the amount shown on the meter at the end of the journey should be paid.

Put 'Em in a Lock Up Till They're Sober

Royal Bali Yacht Club Gets Official Accreditation.

The Royal Bali Yacht Club (R.B.Y.C.) has finally received its official letter of accreditation from the Indonesian Sailing Federation (PORLASI) , making it now a fully-fledged member of Indonesia's sailing fraternity.

Based at Bali's Benoa Harbor, the R.B.Y.C. is a non-profit grouping of yacht owners and sailing enthusiasts dedicated to promoting the sport of sailing and Indonesia as a yachting destination. With a charter membership of 35, the R.B.Y.C. is organizing local yachting events, social gatherings, charity events, as well as acting as sponsoring organizers of the Darwin-Bali Yacht Race.

That race will start from Darwin on 27 July and conclude with a gala reception hosted by the Club on 7 August.

In order to instill young Indonesians with a love of the sport of sailing, the R.B.Y.C. will sponsor a two-day local yacht rally on 27 July in which young Indonesian sailing athletes will be taken on club yachts for a round trip rally to Padangbai beach.

Club Commodore Martin Moore and Vice-Commodore Sue Allison encourage new members, with or without boats, to join the newly recognized R.B.Y.C.. Additional information is available by telephoning ++62 - (0)8123 956 173 or via the e-mail link provided.

More information: Contact the R.B.Y.C.

A Tattoo Taboo?

Health Expert Sounds A Caution on Temporary Tattoos.

Many visitors to Bali can't resist the temptation of obtaining a temporary tattoo, guaranteed to last a week or two by the tattoo artists who proliferate in every tourist area of the island.

Originating from India, the art of temporary tattoo, or Mehdhi, involves the application of natural hennotannic acid (derived from henna) to the dead skin cells of the epidermis. Applied by a skilled and knowledgeable artist using pure, natural henna components, a temporary tattoo should be perfectly safe, providing transitory enjoyment to those thus adorned.

Unfortunately, many tattoo artists are using tattoo dyes that include a toxic dye called para-phenylenediamine or PPD. Promoted as black henna, when, in fact, pure henna is never black, these tattoo artists are drawn by the greater ease of application afforded by the PPD based products, often unaware of the severe health consequences to themselves and their customers that may only become evident weeks after a holiday has ended.

Concerned?

You should be. Especially if you or a family member are considering a temporary tattoo as part of your coming holidays.

Dr. Paul Vandewalle of International SOS has written a timely article detailing the dangers of temporary tattooing using impure henna compounds with hints on how to tell the difference.

Through the kind permission of expat.or.id, a Jakarta-based website containing information of value to expatriates living in Indonesia, balidiscovery.com is pleased to provide a link to Dr. Vandewalle's article.

More information: Dr. Vandewalle's Temporary Tattoo Warning

Shopping's For the Birds

Bali Hilton Sells Merchandise to Save Bali's Starlings.

Bali Hilton International in cooperation with Hilton Indonesia Hotels has launched a range of merchandise with proceeds going to support the preservation of Endangered Species in Indonesia.

Profits generated from the sale of T-shirts, Polo Shirts, Caps, Mugs, Postcards and Soft Toys bearing representations of Sumatran tigers, rhinos, orangutans, green turtles and Bali Starlings will be contributed to the Yayasan Kehati - a foundation dedicated to propagating the dwindling wild population of the rare Bali Starling.

Discovered by naturalist Walter Rothschild in 1912, the Leucopsar Rothschild has suffered massive depletion due to illegal poaching. While captive populations are being fostered both in Indonesia and abroad, it is estimated that less than 10 of the birds continue to live in the wilds of the West Bali National Park.

The specially prepared items are on offer at the Hilton Indonesia Hotels in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali. Commenting on the fund-raising program by the hotel to help preserve the Starlings, Mr. Ian E. McKie, Director Hotel Operations at the Bali Hilton International said, "this is part of our community outreach program demonstrating our support for the environment and the community that has created Bali as such a popular tourist destination."

More information: Book a Stay at the Bali Hilton

Changes in Inter-Continental Bali Team

Feuerman To Strengthen Guest Services at Resort.

Bali Inter-Continental Resorts have appointed Miguel Feuermann to the position of Director of Guest Services for their 425-room Bali resort.

A hotel industry veteran, Feuermann brings over thirteen years of hospitality industry experience to his new assignment. Most recently, he was the Rooms Division Manager for Melia Bali Villas & Spa Resort. He started his career in The Westin Bayshore Hotel Vancouver, Canada before moving to The Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver, Canada. He also participated in a special team for Capitol Tokyu Hotel and Nagoya Tokyu Hotel in Japan.

In 1996, he was appointed the Front Office Manager for The Fairmont Empress Victoria, Canada where he was also involved in the Systems Transition Team for the Fairmont Acapulco Princess Resort and Fairmont Pierre Marques Resort, Acapulco, Mexico.

Feuermann's responsibilities in his new position at the Bali Inter-Continental Resort as Director of Guest Services, encompassed whole Front Office team, Security and Recreation Services.

A Garuda - Merpati Alliance?

Garuda's New Boss Suggests Greater Cooperation Ahead.

Garuda Indonesia's (GA) new Managing Director, Indra Setiawan has publicly suggested that his airline will be forming an alliance with its former subsidiary, Merpati Nusantara Airline (MZ).

In a step that may industry observers see as an obvious and long-overdue move by the two financially ailing carriers, Setiawan suggested that the first phase of the new alliance would be in place within one month's time and facilitate interline reservations and ticketing between the two airlines. The current practice, for instance, where a passengers arriving internationally to Bali on GA needs a completely separate ticket and reservation for an ongoing flight to Lombok would, under the new alliance, be handled via a single ticket issued by Garuda.

Admitting that implementing the new policy will not be problem free, GA's CEO pointed to the need to achieve a common view to make the proposed cooperation a success. Setiawan emphasized that the intense competition of the international airline market mandated the need for such cooperation, using the example of Singapore Airlines cooperation with a number of mainland China carriers.

There are 15 different domestic Indonesian carriers currently operating in the Country, underlining the need for interline ticketing agreements and other forms of cooperative alliance. Other potential areas of cooperation mentioned by Setiawan worthy of future exploration by all Indonesian carriers include sharing of maintenance facilities and spare part pooling system.

World Music Festival

Four Day Musical Celebration Set for August 15-18.

Bali's Garuda Wisnu Kencana Monument Park is set as the venue for the World Music Festival Bali 2002.

The organizers hoping to make the island of Bali a home to the musical traditions of the world will invite world musicians together with leading musical groups from across Indonesia to participate in the four day event. Among the Indonesian musicians slate to appear are: Balawan; Ethnic Fusion; I Wayan Sadra and Sono Seni Ensemble; Sawung Jabo with Genggong; Sujiwo Tejo; and Irwansyah Harahap.

Organizers report that 50% of an overall budget of the Rp, 1,38 billion (approximately US$ 155,000) required for the event is in hand.

Depending on the public response to the event and funding sources, the founders of the event hope to make the World Music Festival Bali a permanent part of Bali's annual event's calendar.

BTDC Invests in Agriculture

Initial Rp. 3 Bn. in Agriculture Business Start Up.

Bali's world-renowned 300-hectare Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC), which is home to some 12 hotels offering over 4,500 rooms in combination with numerous shopping, dining, and recreational outlets is now also investing in agriculture.

Mr. Made Mandra, the Managing Director of the BTDC announced the launch of an agricultural investment program in cooperation with the Chairman of the Association of Bali Agro businesses, Mr. Anak Agung N. Alit Wiraputra, S.H., on Thursday, July 11, 2002. The project, to be operated on an 18 hectare plot of land located in the northern sector of the Badung Regency, has been allocated operating funds of Rp. 3 billion (approximately US$ 300,000).

The object of the project is to reduce foreign exchange losses incurred from the tourism sector through maximizing the range of quality agricultural products available on the local market. By using modern technologies and handling equipment, such as the introduction of cold storage facilities, the operators of the new farming project intend to enhance both the variety and the market availability period of otherwise perishable fruits and vegetables available to local hotels and restaurants.

The BTDC project is Bali's only self-contained resort complex using advanced planning concepts and philosophies whose aim is to develop an infrastructure for the benefit of the local population as well as the resort. The planning of roads, electricity, water, telecommunications, and waste treatment plants are integrated into an overall development plan intended to benefit the local population.

The Corporation's latest move into "Agricultural Tourism" is part of BTDC's continuing efforts to play a central role in the development of Bali's economy.

Ballay's Latest Bali Assignment

Anthony John Ballay Joins Patra Jasa Resort.

Well known local hotelier, Anthony John Ballay has been appointed Senior Marketing Manager of the Patra Jasa Hotel, soon to be fully reopened following an extensive upgrading of all its facilities.

Ballay, a graduate of the University of Indonesia in Public Relations and Mass Communications, has held senior positions with Club Med, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, Omni Batavia Hotel, and, most recently, as the marketing and public relations manager with Hard Rock Hotel in Bali.