BALI UPDATE #315 - 30 September 2002

Visa Threat Again Looms

Minister of Justice & Human Rights Adamant in His Desire to Abolish Visa-on-Entry.

In a story carried in the September 23, 2002, on-line edition of The Jakarta Post, the possibility has once again resurfaced that the Government may move ahead and eventually curtail the visa-free access accorded to the visiting citizens of 48 nations.

Despite recent assurances from Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism that plans to eliminate the visa-free facility had been shelved, the latest press reports indicate that the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Yusril Ihzal Mahendra is steadfast in his commitment to see a return to pre-1983 policies that required visitors to Indonesia to obtain a visa before entering Indonesia. Changes introduced in that year at the urging of then Tourism Minister, Joop Ave that granted visa-free entry to most visitors to Indonesia is widely credited with increasing annual tourism arrivals from levels under 400,000 to current annual totals exceeding 5 million.

Minister Yusril is dismissive of fears expressed by the tourism sector that arrivals would be adversely affected by a change in the Visa Policy, citing the need to control the activities of foreigners entering the country with ill-intentions and those who overstay their visitor permits.

It is not clear how a more restrictive visa policy will enhance control by immigration authorities. Currently, the group of visitors to Indonesia suffering the highest incidents of immigration violations is comprised of tourists from the People's Republic of China – nationals that already undergo extensive screening and are compelled to issue guarantees before they can obtain a visa to visit Indonesia.

More information: Read the entire Jakarta Post Story

Bali's Second Fashion Fusion Weekend Set

Dining, Music, and Fashion Presented in a Single Weekend October 25-26.

Following on the rave reviews earned by the inaugural event, Fashion Fusion 2002 will return to feature the creativity of Indonesia's top fashion, jewelry and textile designers. This year's event will also mark The Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort & Spa's 6^th anniversary.

Scheduled for the weekend of October 25-26, Fashion Fusion Weekend will showcase Bali's finest dining, jazz and phenomenal fashion entertainment.

Fashion Fusion, which will be held in conjunction with Moda Bali Convex and Mardiana Ika, is jointly sponsored by Bank Mandiri, Veuve Clicquot, Siemens, Telkomsel, Estee Lauder and Gaurda Indonesia.

Friday, October 25, 2002 - Grande Dame Champagne Dinner

An exclusive, seven-course dinner served in the Padi Restaurant, accompanied by vintage of Grande Dame champagne produced by the house of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin - US$ 95++, per person.

Saturday, October 26, 2002 - Veuve Clicquot Champagne Reception, Gala Dinner and Fashion Show

A champagne reception in the courtyard, accompanied by jazz fusion music, presented with canapés and Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Followed by a fashion and jewelry show in the ballroom followed by a four-course gala dinner. US$ 95++, per person.

Fashion Fusion Weekend Package

A Veuve Clicquot Champagne reception followed by a gala dinner and fashion show in the Ritz-Carlton ballroom, including one night accommodation in a resort-view room on Saturday, including full American breakfast. USD 325++, for two persons.

Starwood Goes Fairway to Say Thanks

Industry Leaders Participate in Golf Day.

On September 16, Starwood Asia Pacific hosted a Golf Day at Bali Golf and Country Club in Nusa Dua, Bali, inviting travel and airline partners, held in conjunction with a Starwood Area Managing Directors' Meeting. Thirty golfers joined the Golf Day including industry leaders from Bali and Mr. Akio Hirao, VP Area Managing Director for Japan, Korea and Guam; Mr. John Mims, VP Sales & Marketing; Mr. Richard Bussiere, VP Area Managing Director Indonesia; Mr. Jan Bundgaard, Hotel Manager Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua; and Mr. Jeremy Brook, Regional Director of Marketing Indonesia.

The winners of the golf day were Ed Higgs from Cathay Pacific for the low net and Mr. John Panca from Tour East for the runner-up position. Prizes were donated by the Sheraton Nusa Indah Resort, Sheraton Media Jakarta, Sheraton Mustika Yogyakarta, Sheraton Senggigi Lombok and Sheraton Bandung.

The Golf day continued with a cocktail and dinner reception hosted by Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Asia Pacific.

Bob Tutupoli, a well known Indonesian TV and singing star entertained guests during the evening.

Bali Dancers Arrive in the U.S.A.

Balinese Dance Troupe Commences American Tour.

Seven of Bali's top dancers arrived in the United States recently to commence a five week national tour.

The Master Dancers of Bali - an exposition of the traditional dances of Bali is being organized by Gary Lindsey Artist Services of the United States.

The Schedule

For U.S. readers who would like to attend a performance of Master Dancers of Bali, here is a list of dates and venues, with telephone numbers for ticket information:

Williamsburg, Virginia:

Oct. 1 at 7:30 pm

Kimball Theatre, Williamsburg, Virginia

Ticket Information: 757-565-8670

Cambridge, Massachusetts:

Oct. 4 at 8:00 pm

Sanders Theater, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Ticket Information: 617-876-4275

Townson, Maryland:

Oct. 5 at 8:00 pm

Stephens Hall Theatre, Towson University, Towson, Maryland

Ticket Information: 410-704-2807

Schenectady, New York:

Oct. 8 at 7:30 pm

Yulman Theatre, Union College, Schenectady, New York

Ticket Information: 518-388-6475

New York City:

Oct. 11 at 8:00 pm

Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th Street, New York, New York

Ticket Information: 212-864-5400

Amherst, Massachusetts

Oct. 12 at 8:00 pm

Bowker Auditorium, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Ticket Information: 413-545-1980

Sheboygan, Wisconsin:

Oct. 17 at 7:30 pm

John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Ticket Information: 920-458-6144

Bozeman, Montana:

Oct. 19 at 7:30 pm

Emerson Center for Arts and Culture, Bozeman, Montana

Ticket Information: 406-587-7191

Boulder, Colorado:

Oct. 24 at 8:00 pm

Performing Arts Center, Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado

Ticket Information: 303-245-4800

Colorado Springs, Colorado:

Oct. 27 at 3:00 pm

Cossitt Gym Studio, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ticket Information: 719-389-6637

Santa Fe, New Mexico:

Nov. 1 at 8:00 pm

The Railyard Performance Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Ticket Information: 505-473-3008

Scottsdale, Arizona:

Nov. 3 at 2:00 pm

Kerr Cultural Center, Scottsdale, Arizona

Ticket Information: 480-965-5383

More information: Send an Email!

Nirwana Offers Cooking Classes

Two-Day Culinary Course Now Available at Popular West Bali Resort.

What's cookin' at Bali's Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort?

You will find out if you sign up for their newly-launched two-day cooking course.

The program begins with a visit to a traditional Balinese market in nearby Tabanan where participants are introduced to the cooking ingredients found in the Balinese kitchen.

Next, a drive along back roads into the heart of Bali, passing through fields of cucumbers and beans before a stop at a traditional Balinese home. The Balinese family compound visited consists of several buildings whose location and function are strictly prescribed by local tradition. A light, mid-morning tea is served before traversing the spectacular, cascading rice terraces of Jatih Luwih.

The day's program culminates in a sumptuous lunch nestled in a bamboo forest, perched high above a ravine.

The second day explores Balinese cooking techniques such as grinding ingredients in the local tradition with stone pestle and mortar, a necessary preliminary to making the base sauces and marinates fundamental to Balinese cuisine. Participants also prepare typical dishes from the Balinese table including gado-gado (vegetable salad in peanut sauce); satay lilit (seafood satay); young papaya soup; fried rice; sambal (chili paste); and dadar gulung (rolled pandanus crepe with coconut filling).

More information: Book a Room at Le Meridien

Please Make Up My Room

Bali's Housekeepers Compete for Honors.

46 room boys and housekeeping attendants from across Bali gathered at the Hotel Radisson Sanur on Monday, September 23, 2002, to compete in a room set-up competition.

Organized by the local chapter of the Indonesian Housekeeper's Association (IHKA), the competition tested the competitive skills at cleaning and preparing a room for sale to its next occupant.

In opening the competition, Mr. I Nyoman Rutha Ady, S.H., representing the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), heralded the event as helping to prepare local hotel workers to compete in the increasing open labor markets promised in 2004 under the AFTA regime.

Mr. Nyoman Astike, the Bali IHKA Chairman, said the event was the first of its kind held in Bali and that his organization is seeking permission for the event to be held on the national level in Bali in November 2002.

Mabua Heads Back to the Docks

Plagued by Technical Problems, Mabua's Bali-Lombok Ferry Schedules More Repairs.

An accidental grounding of the Mabua Bali-Lombok Ferry last June on its return voyage from its scheduled annual docking in Surabaya forced the ship to immediately return to the dockyards and delayed its return to service for some weeks. Unfortunately, two months of operation plagued by lingering technical problems will again necessitate the return of the ship to the P.T. Pal dockyards in Surabaya for an additional 2 weeks of repairs October 14-26, 2002.

The fast ferry which operates a daily 2.5 hour fast-ferry service connection Bali and Lombok will suspend operations October 14-26, planning to recommence service on October 27, 2002.

More information: Mabua Tickets for Bali-Lombok

Indonesian Tourism Adrift

Discussions on Blue Print for Tourism Explores Many Problems of Promoting Indonesia.

Top ranking officials and business people from Indonesia's tourism sector gathered at a workshop at Bali's Gardenia Hotel on September 19-20 to discuss the formulation of a blue print for marketing tourism.

Drs. Thamrin Bachri, Deputy Minister for Culture and Tourism, bemoaned the confusion in current national marketing activities characterized by uncoordinated, sporadic, and piecemeal approaches to the marketplace.

Luther Barrung, the Director of Marketing and International Cooperation from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, explained to the seminar that Indonesia's position in world tourism markets has been further eroded by the tragic events of 911 and the litany of change taking place in how the tourism business is conducted, including matters of world trade, security, human rights, environmental awareness, and e-commerce.

Members of the private sector participating in the blue-print seminar complained of the Government's failure to devise a strategy to meet the current multi-dimensional crisis confronting the nation's tourism industry. Rather than wait for the Government to devise a game plan, the private business people defended their decision to take independent action to preserve and create markets for their tourism products.

Luther Barrung reported to the seminar participants that his department, in cooperation with academic sources and industry leaders, had identified the profiles of some 122 potential markets to help guide the public and private sectors in their pursuit of tourism visitors. Echoing these sentiments, Bachri underlined that the days of a shotgun approach to tourism promotion are over, with the market now demanding a more positive and selective targeting of markets.