BALI UPDATE #320 - 04 November 2002

The Bali Memorial Concert

The Twilite Orchestra at GWK November 4.

The Twilite Orchestra - Jakarta's celebrated 70-piece pops orchestra under the Baton of Addie M.S., will perform in a special memorial concert honoring the October 12^th terrorist attack on Bali at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana park on Monday, November 4, 2002.

Sponsored by the Ministry for State Owned Enterprises, the Provincial Government of Bali, and the Bali Tourism Board the concert will also feature the vocal talents of top Indonesian singing stars - Rio Febrian, Sherina, Linda Sitinjak, Christoper Abimayu and the choir of Bali's Udayana University.

While the final program for the evening is still in development, among the musical numbers to be presented will be "Amazing Grace," John Lennon's "Imagine," the Indonesian national anthem "Indonesia Raya," and it's Australian counterpart "Advance Australia Fair."

Well-known national TV presenter, Tantowi Yahya will act as master of ceremonies for the evening.

The concert will be broadcast live nationally at 20.00 hours on SCTV.

The Garuda Wisnu Kencana performance venue chosen for the event has a performance attendance capacity for 10,000 people.

For invitations contact the Bali Tourism Board (BTB) at telephone ++62-(0) 361-229500 facsimile ++62-(0) 361-229400 or E-mail: btb@dps.centrin.net.id.

More information: Twilite Orchestra Home Page

November 15 – A Day of Peace

New York and Kuta Set to Join Hands in Peace on November 15.

On Friday, November 15, 2002, groups of people in both Bali and far-away New York will undertake simultaneous prayers for peace on two pieces of ground sanctified by the blood of innocent victims of terror.

Bali Cinta Damai

Christened Bali Cinta Damai or Bali Loves Peace, the event will see participants wearing T-shirts proclaiming that slogan gathering at "ground zero" in Legian where 184 people perished on the night of October 12^th and, on the other side of the planet, at the site of the former World Trade Center in New York City where some 3,000 people perished on September 11, 2001.

The Bali ceremony, a traditional Upacara Pembersihan or Purification Rite, conducted in accordance with the ancient rituals of the Bali-Hindu faith, is expected to draw thousands to the site of the Bali bombing.

Meanwhile, in New York City a simultaneous ceremony, also incorporating Balinese themes, is scheduled to be held at the World Trade Center site in New York City. The motivation behind joining the two ceremonies is to foster global solidarity against terrorism and unity between the people of the USA and Indonesia who share the common bond of the great human loss they suffered at the hands of international terrorists.

The Bali Cinta Damai ceremonies have received wide-spread endorement both in New York and Bali including endorsements from the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) and the Rotary Club of Bali.

For more information or to sponsor T-shirts for the event, contact Ms. Tina Ardie at telephone/facsimile ++62-(0)361-270906, or hand phone ++62-(0)817-972-8624.

More information: Bali Cinta Damai E-mail

Peace - One Step at a Time

Hundreds Pray at the Beach and March to Ground Zero to Pray on Saturday November 2.

On Saturday, November 02, 2002, Bali residents and visitors gathered on Kuta Beach, opposite the Hard Rock Hotel for a late afternoon of prayers, speeches, and music in memory of the 184 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attack of Legian-Kuta on October 12^th. The event – part of "A Thousand Steps to Bali" program to rebuild tourism eventually drew by its end an estimated 1,000 participants.

Starting in the late afternoon at 4 p.m., an initial group gathered on Kuta beach to hear words from tourism officials, prayers by Hindu and Moslem leaders, and inspiration songs including a contribution by Indonesian rock sensation - Nugie.

Taking advantage of special rates extended by Garuda Indonesia, - a large contingent of Jakarta celebrities flew to Bali to participate in the commemoration ceremony including Mr. Fikri Jufri, the founding editor of TEMPO Magazine; Mr. Setyanto P. Santoso, the chief of Tourism and Culture Promotion Board; and Mr. I Gede Ardika, Minister of Culture and Tourism for the Republic.

The afternoon began with Hindu chants and a prayer from Hindu priest. A proclamation reaffirming Bali as an "island of peace" and condemning the violent attack of 12^th October was read by a group of national celebrities and representatives of local youth organizations in Bali.

Also included was a brief sermon by Aa Gymastiar, a well known Islamic television preacher, who called for solidarity and unity between all religious groups in the nation in confronting the tragedy of just 3 weeks earlier.

Police closed the streets from the beach to the bomb site, a distance of more than 1 kilometer, to allow the participants to undertake a solemn march led by a brass ensemble from Bali's Udayana University. At the scene of the devastation more prayers were offered and a candlelight vigil commenced as the sun set over the island.

8 Days to Go

Will Bali's Police Chief Keep His Word?

(Bali, 04 October 2002.) In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack of October 12^th, Bali's Police Chief Brigadier General Budi Setyawan publicly pledged that he would identify the party responsible for the outrage within 30 days or resign his post.

Now, with just 8 days to go before Pak Setyawan's self-imposed deadline, the public eagerly awaits to see if, true to his word, he will indeed set a refreshing new standard among civil servants for assuming final responsibility in his area of public trust.

Stay tuned. This promises to be interesting.

More information: Bali's Top Cop Puts His Job on The Line

Garuda Makes Special Offer to Agents

Garuda Australia Luring Travel Agents Back to Bali.

Garuda Indonesia have announced special net rates available to Australian travel agents in an effort to lure those who make bookings back to the island.

For a limited period covering the entire month of November and from January 20^th through March 31, 2003, full-time travel agents and a companion can access special "agent and companion fares" in both economy and business class seating.

Fares Ex Brisbane, Sydney, & Melbourne

The special round trip fare in economy is AUD 298 and in business AUS 674.

Fares Ex Perth

The round trip tariff from Perth during the special promotion will cost AUD 238 in economy and AUS 485 in business class.

Fares Ex Darwin

The Darwin round trip special agent fare is AUS 217 in economy and AUS 485 in business class.

Conditions Apply

In addition to requiring one of the travelers to be a full-time employee of a travel agency, a number of other conditions apply. Contact Garuda Indonesia in Australia for more information at telephone 1300 365 331, facsimile 1300 365 364.

New Faces on Melia Bali Villas Sales Team

Revamp of Those Who Sell the Melia Bali.

The Meliá Bali Villas & Spa Resort have announced a number of new appointments within its sales and marketing department.

Mr. Suta Marjaya will now serve as Director of Sales, Ms. Lurentia Lilis as E-Commerce Sales Manager, Ms. Anastasia Lijadi as Marketing & Communication Manager, and Mr. Ricardo Zafrilla as Spanish Sales Manager.

In the role of Director of Sales and with more than 10 years experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Marjaya will spearhead all sales-related activities for the five-star beachfront property with specific responsibility for the European and North Asian markets. He will report directly to the property's Director of Marketing, Ms. Sharon Lee.

Ms. Laurentia Lilis, the Resort's new E-commerce Sales Manager, is responsible for developing e-commerce and internet bookings as well as overseeing the UK, Australian and New Zealand sales accounts.

Ms. Anastasia Lijadi, the newly appointed Marketing & Communication Manager, oversees the Hotel's sales and marketing communications, loyalty programs and public relations functions.

Mr. Ricardo Zafrilla, the Spanish Sales Manager, is responsible for targeting Spain and Portugal, the Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America as well as MICE businesses originating from those countries. Mr. Zafrilla has six years of experience in the hospitality industry, specializing in sales, and has spent three years working with Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts in Spain.

The photograph shows the Resort's General Manager, Mr. Ricardo Castaneda, together with members of his sales team.

More information: Book a Stay at the Melia Bali Villas & Spa Resort

Bali MICE Guide 2003

2003 Edition – Showcasing the Island's Meeting Industry.

The Bali MICE Guide 2003, the Island's only comprehensive guide to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) is nearing completion and, according to the Bali MICE Initiative will set new heights both in terms of the amount of information presented and distribution totals.

This year's guide, with a supplement on the nearby island destination of Lombok, will total 132 pages, 32% larger than the inaugural 2002 edition.

To meet the widespread demand for copies from professional meeting and conference organizers, the 2003 edition of the guide will be distributed to some 15,000 readers in over 70 countries worldwide. The Guide is also an important part of Bali's presence at major conference and meeting trade shows held around the world.

Distribution is slated to begin in late November 2002.

The Guide is distributed without charge to qualified subscribers representing decision makers in the meeting and conference industry.

More information: Register for a Copy of the Bali MICE Guide 2003

NSW Pledges Support

Oz Officials Eager to Help Bali Rebuild its Tourism.

On October 30, 2002, Mr. Alit Putra, the Vice Governor of Bali, and Dr. Professor Gde Pitana, the Chief of the Bali tourism office traveled to Sydney to attend a Memorial Service organized by the Indonesian Christian community in New South Wales (NSW) to commemorate the Australian victims of the October 12^th bombing attack. During their Australian visit the Balinese officials paid visits on both houses of the NSW Parliament.

Australian Pledges Support

The Premier of NSW, the Hon. Bob Carr, told the visiting Balinese that the Australian Federal and various state governments will do all in their powers to help Bali recover and rebuild as Australia's favorite holiday destination.

"I have spoken to the Prime Minister (Mr. John Howard) and he also is committed to providing aid and support to Bali. Whatever you need from the NSW Government just ask," Mr. Carr assured.

Australian Delegation Slated for Bali

Mr. Carr and the Deputy Mayor of Sydney, Mr. Henry Tsang talked of being part of a trade mission to Bali as a way of stimulating tourism confidence to the island. "We need to mount this delegation soon, even before the Government's travel warnings are lifted, so that Australians can see Bali is returning to normal," said Mr. Tsang.

Garuda Indonesia sponsored the visit.

The picture shown at balidiscovery.com shows the Premier of NSW, Mr. Bob Carr (right), in talks with the Vice Governor of Bali, Mr. Alit Putra (center), and the head of the Bali Tourism Office, Mr. Gde Pitana (left).

Legian Rebuilds

White Rose Hotel Scheduled to Reopen November 15.

Standing just 50 meters from "ground zero" of the horrific terrorist attack of October 12^th, the 144 room White Rose Hotel suffered substantial damage as the result of the attack.

Due to the damage incurred by the blast and while police conducted an investigation at the bomb site the hotel was closed on the morning of October 13^th.

Hotel to Re-Open November 15

With repairs to the property now largely completed and the access road to the hotel re-opened by police authorities, the White Rose Hotel have announced the re-opening of the hotel effective November 15, 2002.

More information: Book a Stay at the White Rose Hotel

Mabua No Longer Daily

Company's Ferry Service Reduced to 3 Times a Week.

Mabua Express, the high-speed luxury catamaran ferry operating between Bali's Benoa harbor and the port of Lembar in Lombok, has curtailed its daily ferry service to three times a week in the face of diminished passenger loads.

Citing the "bomb tragedy in Kuta" as the reason, Mabua Express' General Manager, Goestamar Aribrata, said that ferry service is now available only on Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays.

The schedule reduction will remain in place for the entire month of November while the ferry operator waits for visitor numbers to Indonesia to improve.

More information: Book Mabua to Lombok

Garuda Cuts Flights

Declining Passenger Numbers Prompt Schedule Changes.

The sudden and dramatic drop in passenger loads following the terrorist attack of October 12^th have compelled Indonesia's national carrier Garuda Indonesia to cancel flight operations to a number of destinations.

The airline is reducing flight frequencies to Australia, the United Kingdom and South Korea while ceasing operations altogether to Frankfurt (Germany), Fukuoka (Japan), and Adelaide (South Australia).

Garuda officials were quick to explain that the curtailment and cancellation of their flights were temporary steps, with the airline hoping to re-establish a full schedule once current travel advisories and warnings are eased and passenger flows begin to return.

Paul McCartney – A Sign of Respect

Former Beatle Cancels Sydney Concert to Honor Bali Victims.

Paul McCartney - the former Beatle - has cancelled his November 23^rd Melbourne, Australia concert date as a sign of respect for the more than 180 victims of the Bali terrorist attack of October 12^th.

The concert, to have been held at Melbourne's Dockland Stadium, was postponed indefinitely with McCartney saying "it was not an appropriate time for a rock show."

"As a mark of respect to both the families who have lost loved ones and to the families of the injured, I have decided to postpone my planned concert in Melbourne as this is not the appropriate time for a rock show," McCartney added.