BALI UPDATE #325 - 09 December 2002

How Low Can You Go?

Bali's October Arrivals Drop. We Try to Make Sense out of the Arrival Statistics.

While November arrival figures have not yet been published, October's foreign direct arrivals in Bali totaled 87,000, reflecting the sudden decrease in passengers and flights following the October 12^th terror attack.

How Bad Was it, Really?

While the local and regional travel press reports point to the just announced October arrival figures, claiming a 44.62% decrease in arrivals from the previous month of September, such an analytical approach is fundamentally flawed and reveals little regarding the impact of the October attack on Bali travel. Traditionally, September is high season for Bali tourism while October qualifies as a "shoulder" period, leading into the "low" season of November and early December.

The 87,000 direct arrivals for October, in fact, represented a 10% drop from last year's arrivals for the same month in 2001 (96,557). That figure, however, may also be misleading in that the October 2002 arrival figures bore the negative impact of the 9-11 attacks of that year.

However, averaging the October arrivals for the 3 years, 1999-2001, (110,203) show that the totals for October 2002 were some 21% below the average.

September's Performance

As reported in the local press, the decrease for October contrasted sharply with the previous month of September that produced a record-setting 157,000 direct foreign arrivals for Bali. Again, the 9-11 attack of 2001 make comparisons problematical. The September 2001 arrivals (133,667) when compared to September 2002's performance shows a 15% improvement in 2002 for the same month's average results for 1999-2001 (136,120) and an 18% improvement over September 2001.

balidiscovery.com will share the November arrival figures, likely to reflect the continuing drop in arrivals, as soon as they become available.

CATO Picks Bali

Australian Tour Professionals Choose Bali for Annual Conference.

Obviously impressed with what they saw during a late-November inspection visit to Bali by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO), the grouping of companies who sell packaged holidays to the Australian public have decided to hold their annual meeting in Bali August 6-9, 2003.

Noteworthy on a number of levels, the CATO Conference will represent the first time the Association has held its annual meeting outside of Sydney, let alone outside the territorial boundaries of Australia.

The decision to bring the 60 member group to Bali was based on the reports filed by CATO Chairman Peter Baily and Vice-Chairman Michael Hay after meeting with local hoteliers, government officials, and police authorities during a whirlwind 3 day inspection of Bali in November.

CATO's selection of Bali for its conference is widely seen by the Indonesian travel community as significant vote-of-confidence by the Australian travel industry in Bali's long-term viability as a tourism destination and as signifyings CATO's desire to re-instill confidence in the public planning an overseas holiday anywhere in the world.

While plans for the conference have yet to be finalized, it is anticipated that the CATO conference will be centered in the Nusa Dua Complex.

More information: Related Story: Impressed with Bali

Strong Response to Security Workshop

December 16th Hotel Asia Pacific Security Workshop Stirs Strong Interest. Remaining Seats Going Fast.

A exceptional cast of speakers drawn from the top ranks of the region's security industry and the public sector scheduled for the Hotel Asia Pacific Security Workshop is sparking strong interest from Bali hoteliers, tourist attraction operators, restaurant and nightspot managers, and the general public.

Space is Limited

Limited to a maximum of 250 participants, places are going fast for the full day conference to be held at the Bali International Conference Center (BICC) on Monday, December 16, 2003.

Top Notch Speakers

Bali's Police Chief Irjen. Budi Setyawan will open the workshop with the lead investigator in the Bali terror attack, Irgen. Made Mangku Pastika, scheduled to deliver the keynote address. Also appearing at the conference will be Tim Dumas, the Regional Security Office for the U.S. Government based in the Jakarta Embassy; Chester Doty, the Chief of Security for Shangri-La Hotels; James Papineau, the Director of Sales and Marketing of SUNTEC Center Singapore; a representative of the Australian Federal Police; and Craig Foster of Hill and Associates speaking on Crisis Planning and Management.

Live Terror Fighting Demonstration

Guaranteed to be a highlight of the day will be a live demonstration of the skills of Bali's anti-terror mobile brigade.

A Most Timely Event

Hotel Asia Pacific Magazine, the award-winning hotel industry publication printed in Hong Kong, advanced the concept for the workshop. Explaining his motivation in pioneering the meeting, Publisher and Editor, Steve Shellum explained, "security is the one topic that hoteliers must be prepared to discuss openly, and they must also be prepared to share their resources and expertise."

Financial support for the Security workshop is supplied by Starwood Hotels, Hyatt International, Six Continent Hotels, and Shangri-La Hotels. This generous support means that those wishing to attend the workshop need only pay a modest Rp. 100,000 donation to the Casa Grande Relief Fund. The entire cost covering the venue, speaker's support, luncheon, coffee breaks, and course materials available in both English and Indonesian are being entirely borne by the event's main sponsors.

Register On Line – Only a Few Spaces Left

Register on line for the Hotel Asia Pacific Security Workshop.

Professional conference and meeting management for this event is provided by Bali Discovery Tours.

Sponsored By:

Tail's A-Waggin'

Bali Dog Show Set for December 15.

The Bali Dog Contest (Kontes Anjing Bali) will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2002, in Lapangan Puputan in downtown Denpasar.

Now officially recognized as a breed - Bali's distinctive Kintamani canine varietal looks something like a mix between a Samoyed and a Chow-chow, possession a character endowed with the social charms of a semi-tame dingo.

The "best of breed" among the Kintamani are prized for their long white fur that many claim can only be produced by keeping the animals in dark caves in the cool hills of Bali during its puppy hood.

Contest sections during the coming Bali Dog Contest will include the tradition long-haired white, colored, and puppy divisions.

Those wishing to register their favorite Bali Dog for the contest can do so at their nearest veterinary practice across the entire island.

Nusa Dua Beach Resort and Spa Industry Discounts

Special Rates On Tap for Travel Industry Through March 31, 2003.

Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa is extending a special rate to hoteliers, travel agents, and airline employees effective through March 31, 2003.

The Longer You Stay The Cheaper it Gets

Travel industry workers can stay in a Deluxe Room for only US$ 90.00 per night or in the Hotel's Palace Club Rooms for US$ 145.00 per night. Both rates are inclusive of 21% government tax and service.

What's more, for every 2 nights paid, the third night is free; for every 3 nights paid, 2 additional nights are free; for every 4 nights paid, 3 additional nights are free; and if you pay for 5 nights, 5 more nights are your's at no additional cost.

Palace Club Room service provides separate check-in and check out, a special breakfast buffet in a separate lounge, 2 hour cocktail reception every evening, 24 hour butler service and complimentary pressing of 4 garments during the course of your stay.

Hold On! There's More

Travel Industry members taking advantage of these outstanding rates will also receive a 25% discount on all spa treatments; complimentary use of the spa facilities; and a 20% discount on at all the Hotel's food and beverage outlets with the exception of room service.

Conditions Apply

Travel Industry affiliation must be demonstrated upon check-in by means of a travel agent or airline identification card, or a business card. Offer is valid through March 31, 2003, with the exception of a blackout period of December 25, 2002 through January 05, 2003.

More information: Book this exceptional offer!

Special Travel Industry Fare to ATF

SIA Offers Special Ticket Price to Bali Industry Attending ASEAN Tourism Fair.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is coming to the assistance of the Bali travel industry once again by providing a special discounted air fare for those attending the ASEAN Tourism Fair (ATF) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in January.

An annual travel show, providing member nations of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) the opportunity to showcase their tourism products, the ATF's location rotates each year to a different member nation of the regional Association. This year's ATF will take place in the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, January 24-27, 2003.

Special Fare from Singapore Airlines

Registered delegates from Bali attending the ATF will be able to access a special fare of only US$ 500.00 for round trip economy air transportation from Bali to Phnom Penh via Singapore. The normal published fare on this sector is US$ 1,299.00. Prices exclude applicable taxes and insurance surcharges.

Proof of ATF registration is required at time of booking. Contact Ms. Andri at SIA at telephone 0361 766940 or facsimile 0361 768383.

Seaport Security Tightened

Police Keep Close Watch on Bali-Java Ferry Crossing.

In the nearly two months since the October 12^th terror attack on a Bali nightspot, more than 8,000 people have been refused entry to Bali when trying to board the ferry service from Ketapang (Java) to Gilimanuk (Bali).

Those refused entry to Bali have been unable to produce valid identity cards or, for those intending to stay in Bali, demonstrate a viable source of employment on the island.

Police have also strengthened the presence of undercover police officers on both sides of the ferry crossing, seeking to prevent the entry of firearms and explosives.

All Indonesian adult citizens are required by law to possess a valid identity card (KTP) issued by the regional governments in their place of birth or residence.

Islamic Groups Demand Harsh Punishment for Bombers

Indonesian Moslems Call on Government to Show No Mercy on Terrorist Bombers.

One of Indonesia's leading Islamic organizations, Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) has joined other Islamic groups in Indonesia in calling for the sternest possible punishments to be meted out to those found guilty of the October 12^th bombing of a Bali nightspot.

In a public statement issued on October 27^th, the General Secretary of the MUI, Din Syamsudin, said, "we ask that the bombers receive the harshest possible punishment because they have caused the deaths of others."

He also used the occasion to bemoan the misappropriation of the term "Jihad" by those who have given a word describing religious striving and struggle a violent and incorrect connotation.

In response to reports that a suicide bomber may have been involved in the October 12^th attack, Syamsuddin underlined that the MUI strongly forbids suicide bombings, saying nothing in the current situation in the Country warrants such radical action.

Major Environmental Meeting for Bali

National Conference on Sustainability for Bali in June.

Bali has been chosen as the site for a national conference on environmental sustainability.

The meeting, announced by Indonesia's State Minister for the Environment, Nabiel Makarim, is set to commence on June 5, 2003, and will be attended by representatives of the Indonesian work force, such as fishermen, foresters, and farmers, as well as by members of the national cabinet. President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz are also expected to attend.

The national environmental summit, intended to map out how the Indonesian economy can operate on an environmentally self-sustaining basis, is a follow up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in South Africa earlier this year.

PATA Sends its Best

PATA Recovery Task Force Headed for Bali.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is sending six leading travel and tourism experts to Bali to participate in a consultative task force to help map out the road to recovery for the island's tourism industry.

Visiting Bali independently commencing from mid-November, the task force members will undertake meetings with key members of the private and public sectors in Bali in the process of compiling their report.

The Team's Line-Up

The PATA Task Force's Chairman is Mr. Peter Semone, PATA's Vice President, who will collate the final report.

Participating in the team are:

Dr. David Perl, Chief Executive of Docleaf (U.K.).

Ms. Yeoh Siew Hoon, Editorial Director, Reed Travel & Marketing (Singapore).

Mr. Anthony Council, Director of Corporate Communications IATA (Japan).

Mr. Bert van Walbeek, Managing Director, The Winning Edge (Thailand).

Mr. Robert Guy, Managing Director, Pacific World Travel (Singapore).

Mr. Jim Hogan, Managing Director, International Tourism and Training Services (Australia).

The members of the task force will submit their written report to Mr. Semone before December 20, 2002, with the final report expected early in 2003.

More information: Send an E-mail!

A Migrating Bird

BAT Temporarily Suspends Helicopter Service.

Bali's continuing business downturn has claimed another victim, at least temporarily, with the withdrawal from service of Bali Adventure Tour's (BAT) Robinson 44 Clipper helicopter from its Bali base.

Faced with declining tourist numbers, BAT has deployed the helicopter on a six-month charter to a Jakarta company while waiting for Bali's tourism fortunes to improve.

BAT launched their sky-tour helicopter services in February of 2001 offering popular flying tours of the island, flights for visiting celebrities, and support to various film projects.