BALI UPDATE #330 - 13 January 2003

Jakarta Security Workshop February 10

2nd Hotel and Commercial Complex Security Workshop Set for Jakarta on February 10, 2003.

Following the successful Hotel Asia-Pacific Hotel Security Workshop held in Bali on December 16, 2002, a repeat performance has been scheduled for Jakarta on Monday, February 10, 2003, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Expanded Focus

Intended to assist the managers of hotels, commercial complexes, entertainments centers, and public attractions reduce the threat of terrorist attacks, the Jakarta workshop's focus has been expanded for a Jakarta audience and redubbed the Hotel Asia-Pacific Hotel and Commercial Complex Security Workshop.

Moderated by well-known Indonesian tourism personality, Mr. A.A. Gede Rai, the Workshop promises an exciting line-up of speakers covering a wide range of subjects connected with fighting terror and public safety.

Among those scheduled to speak include:

Irjen. Polisi Made Mangku Pastika - After the overwhelming response to his presentation at the Bali workshop, Pak Made has confirmed his readiness to also address the Jakarta conference. The internationally respected lead investigator of the Bali Bombings, who was just named Time Magazine's Asian Newsmaker of the Year, is expected to present the compelling story of the chain of evidence that led to the arrest of those charged with the Bali attacks and how the international police cooperation assisted in making those arrests possible.

Tim Dumas - Regional Security Officer – U.S. Embassy Jakarta, "The U.S. response to terror in a post 9-11."

Tim Nutley - Regional Head of Corporate Security, JP Morgan (Singapore), "A Business Response to the Threat of Terrorism in Asia."

Ms. Indra Surkirno - Jakarta Convention Bureau, - "The International Marketing of a City with a Troubled International Image."

Craig Foster - President Director, Hill and Associates (Jakarta), "Disaster Planning and Crisis Communication."

Peter Meyer, AIG Insurance - "Terrorism Risks: An Insurance Perspective."

Who Should Attend?

Among those who will find the workshop topics of interest include owners and senior managers of hotels and commercial complexes, training and personnel managers, chiefs of security, private school principals and managers of entertainment centers.

The Cost?

Only Rp. 250,000 per person (including V.A.T.) covers an attractive conference bag with a complete set of workshop papers including English/Indonesian translations of all course materials, lunch and two coffee breaks, and a certificate of participation.

Please note: Space is limited to the first 150 registrants.

Register On Line!

On Line Registration Form for the Hotel and Commercial Complex Security Workshop in Jakarta.

Professional conference management services provided by Bali Discovery Tours.

Special sponsorship support provided by the Grand Hyatt Jakarta.

Hotel Asia-Pacific Hotel & Commercial Complex Security Workshop sponsored by:

More information: Register here!

Outward Bound Bali

World Famous Training and Team Building Program Establishes Bali Base.

Founded in 1941, initially as a technique to train young sailors and build confidence in them to face the rigours of the North Sea, the Outward Bound program has developed over the last half-century to become a recognized leader in reshaping the thinking and actions of people in over 30 countries who regularly undergo their team building training.

First introduced in Indonesia in 1991, the first Outward Bound facility was set up in Jatiluhur, West Java. Its newest camp base in the hills of Ubud at Payangan will continue the Outward Bound tradition of challenging young people, executives, and government officials by forcing them to leave the comfort and security of their familiar surroundings to discover new ways of viewing themselves and the world around them.

Outward Bound participants are put through a carefully supervised regime of outdoor activities designed to cause participants to develop the "life skills" of initiative, leadership, communication, decision-making, cooperation, risk-taking, and trust. The organizers are quick to explain that although outdoor challenges are an intrinsic part of their programs the Outward Bound exercises are not physical training programs per se with each module carefully designed not to exceed the physical limitations of a participant.

Bali Outward Bound

Although famous for offering customized training programs for corporate clients, the Bali camp will provide three distinctive daily programs available to individuals and small groups visiting the island. All programs are completely supervised to insure the maintenance of Outward Bound's 100% safety record and include air-conditioned transfers between Bali hotels and the camp site in Ubud; refreshment and snack; US$ 50,000 insurance coverage; all safety equipments and changing and shower facilities.

High Rope Challenge

A half-day program of "working the ropes" some 5 stories (20 meters) above the ground and experiencing first-hand the exhilarating "Flying Fox" maneuver suspended across the majestic Ayung River valley. For details: High-Rope Challenge

Spirit Booster

An 8-hour, life-changing experience beginning in the early morning and ending mid-afternoon involving Ice-breaking exercises, Trust Games, Initiative Games, and work on both low and high ropes. For details: Spirit Booster

Quality Time Family Adventure

A full-day program designed especially with families in mind who want to discover more about themselves and Bali during their holidays. Prices to accommodate two adults and 2 children (additional children can be accepted), this program spends an entire day exploring trust building games, initiative games, work with low and high ropes, trekking, and wall climbing. For details: Quality Family Time Adventure

Outdoor Challenge and Training by Outward Bound!

Now available in Bali!

Return to Paradise from Perth

Special Package Prices Perth to Bali to Celebrate Air Paradise Launch.

Air Paradise International in cooperation with Asia Escape Holidays have launched a range of exciting Bali "Return to Paradise" packages to celebrate the commencement of services by Bali's first airline.

As reported in Bali Update #329, "Air Paradise Set to Take Off", the bold start-up airline owned by a Bali businessman will operate 4 flights per week between Perth, Western Australia, and Bali beginning February 16^th.

Prices Hard to Beat

The Asia Escape Holidays packages start as low as AU$ 626 for 4 nights in Bali including breakfast, round trip flights from Perth, transfers in Bali, and Australian departure taxes. Four night family packages for 2 adults traveling with 2 children start from just AU$ 2300.

Don't Be Late - These Prices Won't Last

These special price offers are only available on a first-come-first-served basis valid for travel February 16^th through March 31^st. Tickets must be confirmed and paid for before February 24, 2003.

For the Full range of prices, applicable conditions, and range of accommodation options visit our Return to Paradise Link.

More information: Perth Air Paradise Launch Specials

Bali 10K Run: Too Many and Too Early?

Changes Announced for Bali's 10K Solidarity Run.

Organizers of a Bali 10 Kilometer Solidarity Run scheduled for February 2, 2003, have announced that they wish to limit the maximum number of participants from an original projection of 25,000 to a more manageable total of 10,000 runners.

Part of the Bali for the World program, the 10K run is expected to draw at least 14 world caliber marathon runners as well as participants from around the world and across all of Indonesia.

Delayed Start

In a recent development, President Megawati Soekarnoputra, scheduled to be on hand to officially signal the start of the run has reportedly asked the organizers to delay the event for one hour from its scheduled starting time of 0600 hour to 0700 hours to accommodate the Palace's busy schedule of engagements and permit the President's participation.

Tour Rates Predicted to Increase.

Higher Fuel and Utility Prices Likely to Result in Higher Local Tour Prices.

Increases in utility, fuel prices, and telephone charges introduced nation-wide on January 01, 2003 are likely to eventually result in higher tour prices charged by local ground operators.

A recent meetings held by the Jakarta-branch of the Association of Indonesian Travel Agents (ASITA) discussed the possibility of increases ranging between 20-30% for outbound tour packages and perhaps 20% for inbound tour programs in order to compensate for higher transportation and operating costs.

Many are waiting to see if airlines and transportation companies use the recent fuel price increases as a pretext for increasing their rates.

It should be noted that no firm decision regarding tour package price increases have yet to be made with any final decision to be determined by competitive market forces and the final inflationary effects of recent utility and fuel price increases.

Increase In HIV Rates

Dramatic Rise in Bali HIV/AIDS Victims.

A report by the State News Agency Antara quotes the Bali Commission on AIDS Control as claiming the number of HIV/AIDS cases on Bali have increased to 233, up from 215 reported just one month earlier.

This increase, equivalent to a rise of 8.4% in just one month, extrapolates into a doubling of the number of HIV/AIDS cases on the island every 9 months should the rate of new infections remain unchanged.

According to local AIDS activist and physician Dr. Tuti Parwati, the rate of new infections affects young people between the ages of 20 and 29 years of age, primarily among those living in the more populated southern part of the island.

The Loves of Zeus

An Exhibition by Russian Artist Polina Sirosh at Pala Through January 30th.

The young Russian émigré artist, Polina Sirosh, presents a one-woman exhibition of photographs and prints - "The Loves of Zeus" January 14 – 30, 2003 at the Pala Restaurant and Wine Bar on Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai in Sanur.

Through the use of classical and modern images that chronicle the many loves of the Greek God Zeus, Polina Sirosh explores the world of opposites: the eternal struggle between men and women; between social classes and ideas; the irony of a society the subordinates love to war while idolizing beauty; and the omnipresence of change which renders all things transitory. The artist endeavors to pose the question: is the Olympian idealization of immortal life merely an expression of the times or, perhaps, the precursor of modern man's aspiration towards immortality expressed in a need to worship both the material and spiritual? Is love an invention or the gods or did man invent gods so he might have something to love?

Polina Sirosh

A young photographer and visual artist just embarking on her artistic career, Polina Sirosh grew up during the tumultuous "perestroika" period of Russians history prompting her to leave her native land at the tender age of 15 for New York City. Later, after periods of study at the prestigious Parson's School of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and the St. Petersburg State University and St. Petersburg School of Fine Arts in Russia, she made her debut on the art scene via her first solo exhibition in New York in June of 2001. This was followed rapidly by subsequent exhibitions in New York, Berlin, Indonesia, and Switzerland.

The Loves of Zeus - Through June 30^th at Pala

For more information contact Pala Restaurant and Wine Bar Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 121xx, Sanur or telephone ++62-361-283835. E-mail pala@mnmbal.com.

More information: Related Story: Pala for the Palate

Domestic Problems

Just Completed Holiday Rush Reveal Inadequacies of Bali's Domestic Air Terminal.

Based on the numerous problems encountered at Bali's airport during the just completed Christmas and New Year period, plans to revamp Ngurah Rai Airport's domestic terminal in 2004 can't come any too soon.

While work on an extensive expansion and modernization upgrade on the airport's international passenger terminal has largely been completed, the domestic passenger facility's ugly sister status was especially noticeable during the heavy travel periods of the holidays just past.

In response to the pre-bombing higher totals of international arrivals over domestic visitors, the Airport Authority has in recent years focused its efforts on a face lift for the international facility. Recent events, however, that have caused domestic traffic to far outpace international arrivals have emphasized the inadequate passenger handling capacity of the current domestic passenger terminal.

During the period January 1-5, 2003, domestic passenger using the airport totaled 25,696 people while international passengers equaled only 18,355. As an emergency step to ease the strain on the domestic terminal, a number of flights from Surabaya and Jakarta were diverted to the international terminal over the New Year's period.

While international arrivals did improve over the holiday period averaging 3,600 per day, that total still fell far below the average daily 5,000 foreign direct arrivals experienced just prior to the October 12^th terrorist attack on a Bali nightspot.

Courting Kournikova

Efforts Underway to Lure Top Tennis Star to Bali for Wismilak Tournament.

A report in Agence France-Press states that the organizers of the Wismilak International Tennis Tournament, scheduled for later this year in Bali, have made a lucrative offer to top-seeded Russian tennis star Anna Kournikova to appear at this year's event.

While the exact amount of the financial package was not disclosed, should the bid be successful the Russian female player ranked 38^th in the world would be on hand for the tournaments scheduled for September at Nusa Dua.

The WTA event promises to bring at least one of the world's top ten players or three from among the top 20 international players.

Neither the event's organizers or Ms. Kournikova's management were prepared to confirm whether or not the tennis star would definitely appear in the September tournament in Bali.

Minister Predicts Recovery by May

Minister Ardika Maps Road to Recovery.

In a press conference held at the Prambanan Monument Park in Yogyakarta on Wednesday, January 8, Minister for Culture and Tourism I Gede Ardika said he hoped that the Country's tourism economy will have recovered from the after effects of last October's bombing in Bali by May of 2003.

Ringed Levels of Fallout from Bali Blast

Minister Ardika described Bali, Yogyakarta, and Toraja (Sulawesi) as occupying the "1^st ring" suffering the most severe economic setbacks resulting from the October bombing. A "2^nd ring" comprised of Medan, Jakarta, and Batam – according to the Minister, were less strongly affected in terms of the downturn in tourist visitors following the blasts.

A Four Step Recovery Process

The Minister used the opportunity afforded by the Press Conference to re-outline the Government's four-step road to recovery. The first phase ended on December 31, 2002, and was dominated by rescue and clean-up efforts following the October 12^th terror attacks. The second phase of recovery concerns itself with the humanitarian aspects of the attacks' aftermath by attending to its victims and the wounded, and their families. Phase three, dealing with rehabilitation, will take place between January to May 2003 further complementing the ongoing humanitarian relief while commencing a program of domestic and international tourism promotion preceding a period of normalization from May until December 2003. Finally in 2004, the final phase of recovery will take place with the emphasis moving to development and rehabilitation efforts.

3,000 Arrivals Equals Break Even

The Minister said Bali was now targeting 3,000 foreign arrivals per day via the island's airport, a figure estimated by Pak Ardika to bring hotel occupancies to a financial break even point. Daily arrivals just prior to the terror attack were averaging some 5,000 people per day and dropped to a figure as low as 800 in the period immediately following the October bombings.

Oh, Hell, Britannia!

The U.K. Eases its Travel Advisory, Well, Sort Of.

The British Foreign Office has scaled down its warning on travel to Indonesia, citing the countries positive steps in combating tourism.

Unlike the past warning that urged British subject to avoid all travel to Indonesia, the latest warning only stipulates that British subjects should avoid non-essential travel to Indonesia.

The most recent travel advisory, however, does mention that the situation in Bali has stabilized following the October bombing attack.

Professor Tommy Koh to Address PATA Conference

Senior Singapore Statesman to Emphasize Religious Harmony at 52nd PATA Conference.

The 52^nd Annual Conference of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will feature a keynote address by Singapore's Ambassador-at-Large, Professor Tommy Koh.

The four day conference to be held in Bali, April 13-17, will see Prof. Koh deliver a timely message on religious and cultural harmony. Looking forward to his keynote address, Professor Koh said: "One of the imperatives of the post-9-11 world, is to promote better intercultural understanding and to reduce the danger of a conflict between religions or civilizations. I think tourism can play an important role in enhancing understanding and reducing misunderstanding and conflict. My message to the conference will be that all religions and all civilizations share a common core of humanistic values."

Prof. Koh, Singapore's former high-profile Ambassador to the United Nations, holds concurrent appointments as a Director of Singapore's Institute of Policy Studies and as a roving Ambassador-at-Large for the Republic of Singapore. Possessing a degree in law from Harvard University and in Criminology from Cambridge, he is also a recipient of an honorary degree from Yale University.