BALI UPDATE #334 - 10 February 2003

250 Journalists Expected at PATA Bali Conference

Extensive Press Coverage Expected at April Tourism Summit in Bali.

At least 250 domestic and international journalists are expected to travel to Bali April 13-17, 2003, to attend the 52^nd annual Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Conference.

An estimated 1,500 delegates are expected to attend the Bali conference where travel industry leaders from across the Asia Pacific region will gather to discuss issues affecting world tourism.

The 150 foreign and 100 domestic journalists attending the Bali conference will also be invited to participate in special post conference tours in Bali, Lombok, East Java and Yogyakarta.

Former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jimmy Carter, has been invited to address the conference at which crisis management will be a central theme.

Asian Tourism Ministers Headed to Indonesia

Inter Asian Task Force of Tourism Bosses to Help Boost Indonesian Tourism.

The ten tourism ministers from the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus three additional tourism ministers from Japan, the People's Republic of China, and South Korea - are all expected to visit Jakarta and Bali during the February-March time slot.

That visit is part of a commitment made by the Ministers to assist Indonesia's recovery from the ill-effects of the October 12, 2002 terrorist attack. Meeting together at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, January 20-28, 2003, the tourism chiefs of the 13 governments resolved to visit Indonesia to help stimulate intra-Asian travel and cooperation.

The ASEAN tourism ministers agreed during their Cambodian meetings to stimulate regional travel between their respective countries through the upgrading of their transportation systems, liberalizing the tourism service sector, enhancement of local security measures, training of manpower, and participation in a series of joint promotional programs.

The Indonesia visit represents part of the agreement between ASEAN member nations to undertake task forces and working groups on an ad hoc basis to address issues affecting travel within the region.

INCCA Protests PATA Conference Management

Indonesian Conference Association Criticizes Lack of PCO Involvement in PATA Event.

Iqbal Alan Abdullah the Chairman of the Indonesian Congress & Convention Association (INCCA) has declared that his organization will file a strong protests with the Government for failing to engage the services of a national professional conference organizer (PCO) in preparations for the 52^nd annual Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Conference to be held in Bali April 13-17, 2003.

Quoted in the Indonesian-language daily newspaper Kompas, and citing the lack of involvement by a local PCO in the planning and preparations for the coming PATA conference, Iqbal said he will protest, on behalf of his association, the failure of the government to obey its own regulations requiring the engagement of a PCO in every international event.

Iqbal, who is also the President Director of Royalindo International, a local PCO, went on to explain that the appointment of a PR company alone, which he says has happened with the PATA Conference preparations, will not address the myriad details that must be handled in organizing an international conference.

Discussion among the members of INCCA are said to be ongoing regarding how best to make their protest formally known to the Government.

Padma Bali Hotel Offers US$ 60 Industry Rate

Special Offer through June 30 for Travel Industry and Media Workers.

The Padma Bali Hotel is making special efforts to lure colleagues in the travel industry back to Bali with a special price offer.

Through June 30, 2003, airline, media, and travel industry employees pay only US$ 60 net per room per night. This price includes accommodation for one or two persons, an automatic upgrade to a Deluxe Chalet Room, daily buffet breakfast, return airport transfers (for minimum 2 night stay), welcome drink, fruit and flower arrangements, free access to the Hotel's fitness center, and a free single use for one hour of the tennis or squash court.

For just $40 more, travel and media industry colleagues can be upgraded to a Garden Deluxe Chalet Room. What's more, a Deluxe Chalet upgrade includes free laundry for five pieces of clothing, daily newspaper and use of the Club Lounge facility.

Booking can be made to Bali Discovery Tours via email to info@balidiscovery.com.

When booking please state postion and employer. Proof of full time employment with an airline, media, or travel industry component will be required at check-in.

More information: Book an Industry Rate at Padma Bali Hotel

Woodsman, Spare that Tree!

Environment Minister Calls for a Halt to All Logging on Bali and Java.

Indonesia's State Minister for the Environment, Nabiel Makarim, has asked the Governors of Bali and Java to issue formal decrees declaring a five year moratorium on all logging activities on the two islands.

Pointing to the recent devastating landslides in Java that killed 30 people, the Minister warned that more devastation would follow if forests were not allowed a period for reforestation to take root.

Quoted in the English-language Jakarta Post, Minister Makarim said, "Java and Bali are no longer able to produce timber."

The Minister issued his call while speaking at a environmental seminar in Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday, January 30, 2003.

Singing the Navy Blues

Local Fisherman Complain About U.S. Navy Ship Visits to Bali.

Regular visits by U.S. Navy Warships on R&R calls in Bali have prompted complaints by local fishermen claiming the visits cause them economic hardship.

Fisherman from the Kedonganan Beach area of Bali recently called on the provincial parliament to voice their complaints to local lawmakers. According to the fishermen, the U.S. Navy ships, that typically visit Bali commencing from March each year and are sometimes at anchor for 1-2 week periods, establish security perimeters that make it difficult or impossible for the local fishing fleet to set to sea.

The most recent visit by local fisherman to make their concerns know to local parliamentarians revisits a long standing complaint from the fishing fleet seeking some sort of financial compensation for being denied the chance to work whenever the U.S. Navy is in town.

While Ida Bagus Setyabudi from Commission V of the Parliament promised the delegation that he would lobby for the Navy ships to be shifted to the already crowded Benoa port area, the size of the U.S. Navy ships precludes their access to the Benoa port area.

The only other viable anchorage is off Padang Bai, located on Bali's east coast, a 2.5 hour drive from the capital city of Denpasar.

What's Up, Dock?

Bali Hai II Leaves Bali for Two Month's Docking.

Bali Hai Cruises' luxury catamaran is heading to Surabaya for a two-month major overhaul of its main engines.

In almost continuous operation since mid-1994, the 300-passenger Bali Hai II's main engines are due for scheduled rebuilding and reconditioning that will take place at P.T. PAL dockyards in the port of Surabaya. As a result, the vessel will be out of operation from February 16 until April 13, 2003.

Day Boat Services to Continue

While the popular Reef Cruise and Sunset Dinner Cruise programs operated by Bali Hai Cruises will be suspended for the duration of the docking period, other cruise products offered by Bali Hai Cruises will continue to be available from the Company's Benoa base. The Beach Club Cruise will be available with transportation provided on the Aristocat sailing catamaran and high-speed Ocean Raft.

The Aristocat sailing program and Ocean Rafting Dolphin and 3 Island Cruises will continue normal operations over the docking period.

More information: Take a Bali Hai Aristocat Cruise

Read Tailed Kangaroos to the North

QANTAS Resume Singapore to Bali Service.

Further proof of improving arrival numbers is reflected in the decision of QANTAS to resume their thrice weekly service from Singapore to Bali.

Singapore to Denpasar

QANTAS service from Singapore to Denpasar (Bali) will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays (QF 30) departing at 1915 hours arriving in Bali at 2145. The Wednesday southbound service (QF 224) will depart at 2110 hours touching down in Bali at 2340.

Denpasar to Singapore

The northbound service on QANTAS operates on Mondays (QF29) departing at 1505 hours and arriving at 1730; on Wednesdays (QF223) departing at 1510 hours arriving at 1730; and on Saturdays (QF29) departing at 1515 hours arriving at 1730.

QANTAS resumed its service between Bali and Singapore effective February 01, 2003.

Garuda to Resume Adelaide Service

Twice A Week in April, Then Three Times per Week in June.

Following the suspension of service between Bali and Adelaide in the wake of the October 12^thbombing, Garuda Indonesia have declared their intention to recommence flights between Adelaide and Denpasar (Bali) in April. From April to June Garuda will operate twice a week flying on Tuesdays and Fridays, increasing to three times a week from June with an additional flight on Sundays.

Garuda will operate Airbus A330 on the Adelaide – Bali route with a capacity of 42 business class and 251 economy class seats.

Howard Noble, Sales Manager of Garuda Indonesia in South Australia, says enquiries about travel to Indonesia had grown steadily in recent weeks, and forward projections suggest strong demand for the first flights from Adelaide. "This speaks volumes about the enduring attraction of the destination and the special bond that still exists between Bali and holiday-making South Australians," said Mr. Noble.

Prior to October 12^th Bali was clearly the number one overseas destination for Australian enjoying a 13.14% share of the overall short-stay overseas holiday market, or around 300,000 visitors per year. Around 17,000 of these were from South Australia.

Garuda Pilots Renew Strike Threat

As Talk Falter Pilots Ready to Ground All Flights.

With talks between Garuda Indonesia's senior management and its pilot association at an apparent impasse, the airline's pilots have renewed their threat to launch a system-wide industrial action, starting during the week of February 10, 2003.

Threatening to stop flying from Tuesday, February 10^th, the pilots of the national carrier are seeking monthly pay packages increases of between 400-500%, with the airline's management offering increases of only between 10-64%,

Garuda's management are vowing that irrespective of any threaten strike action taken by the pilots, services and schedules will be maintained indicating that foreign pilots will be hired to fly the airline's planes, if necessary.

Garuda's fleet is comprised of 53 airplanes serving both domestic and international routes.