Sydney Sunday Flights and New
Brisbane Direct Link Provide More Seats to Bali.
Garuda Indonesia
reports average passenger loads of more than 80
per cent are being achieved from some Australian
ports as traveler confidence in Bali returns lured
on by attractive package deals on offer.
"June average load factors for Australia again
rose encouragingly. Not only are previous visitors
to Bali showing considerable loyalty, but also
our 'Bali on ANY budget' Super Specials are working
and giving us grounds for optimism over the months
ahead," said Garuda Indonesia's
General Manager for New South Wales and the Australian
Capital Territory, Mr. Iriansyah Antemas.
"Certainly the recovery process is only in its
early stages, but we are getting increasingly
positive feedback from travel agents. Many parts
of Australia - both East and West Coast - are
reporting high levels of late bookings as the
impact of recent world events eases and value
seekers wait for the best deals," added Mr.
Antemas. "In fact, returning confidence means
we are searching for capacity on some flights,
especially during heavy demand periods such as
school holidays. In Sydney, for example, Garuda
Indonesia is urging travel agents to consider
the new Sunday flight to Bali, which replaced
the mid-week service."
"An average monthly seat load factor in excess
of 90 per cent in June has justified the introduction
of extra capacity from Brisbane to Bali next month.
From August 4 the Monday service, which has been
shared with Auckland in recent times, will again
become a dedicated Brisbane service meaning Brisbane
joining passengers will be offered the full capacity
of the A330 aircraft. An earlier departure time
will also allow them to arrive in Bali with plenty
of time to enjoy a cocktail before dinner. The
Wednesday and Saturday services will continue
to be shared with New Zealand."
Australian traveling overseas on holiday consistently
chose Bali as their most preferred destination
every year from 1996 to 2001. Improving passenger
loads and additional flight capacity give reason
to believe that Bali may soon reassume its dominant
position of Australian's favorite overseas holiday
spot.
We Get Mail
Readers Write to Comment on Casinos
in Bali and the Cost of Playing Golf.
Bali Update's article [Casinos
in Bali – Don't Bet On It] generated a number
or responses from readers with opinions to share
on that subject.
David wrote to support
the Investment Board's rejection of a proposed
Casino in Bali saying:
"... smart move ... don't be fooled by the
'so called' casino investment benefits."
M.W. Varn shared a similar
viewpoint when he wrote:
"Let's all hope that Bali continues to resist
the onslaught of gambling casinos. Learn from
what happened to the Mississippi coast, on the
Gulf of Mexico. In the quiet towns of Gulfport
and Biloxi, people in their houses (large and
small) and in the wonderful small restaurants
and other small businesses along the coast enjoyed
a view of the ocean and a reasonably quiet,
relaxed lifestyle. The casinos came with their
promises of massive employment, money for schools,
etc. They built their huge hotel/restaurant/casino/parking
complexes into the edge of the water so they
are technically categorized as "off-shore".
In large areas, ocean view is entirely obstructed.
Sleepy little Highway 90 has become a 24-hour
noisy madhouse of traffic. The crime rate has
increased far more than the local police can
manage, even with the extra taxes received from
casinos. Gone are the small private restaurants
because the casinos have excellent restaurants
offering good food at cheap prices, further
lure to customers. Some say that for every job
the casinos created, two jobs are lost in the
community. The quality of life is destroyed.
Please don't let this happen to Bali."
A reader from Germany, Camilla Regler
had this to say:
"Having been in many places where gambling
presents a major part of the economy, I hope
that Bali does not follow this path. The detrimental
effects associated with casinos, for instance
organized crime, an increase of prostitution
and large numbers of undesirable tourists. At
present Bali is one of the few paradises left
in this world, with its people smiling and actually
meaning it despite the difficult times they
are facing at present, a low crime rate, etc.
I visit Bali 3 - 4 times a year and plan to
make it my domicile in 2 years time, but should
the government actually agree to permit the
opening of casinos, I would reconsider my plans
for the future as I believe it would spoil Bali
and all it stands for."
Golf in Bali
Finally, Paul Monks
wrote to express his views on the high cost
of playing golf in Bali:
"Having recently visited Bali for the sixth
time, I was amazed at the under-usage of the
islands golf courses. When top class courses
in the rest of Indonesia charge an average of
$30-$45 including caddie and buggy, how can
the courses on Bali insist on green fees of
$65? And this supposedly includes a discount
of 25% for local residents. On the day I tried
to get a game there (in Bali) were at least
50 caddies sitting around doing nothing I would
suggest that, now the Japanese visitors are
no longer the dominant tourist group, the islands
courses should get together and agree to target
European and American visitors who will gladly
pay $40 but not $60. It is a real shame for
great courses to go unused like this."
Write to Bali Update and tell us what's on your
mind!
Bali Lawn Bowlers Bring Trophies
Home to Bali. Ana Rahmad Shines with a Gold Medal.
A team of lawn bowlers from the Bali
International Lawn Bowl Club traveled
to Kuala Lumpur to participate in the 3rd
Asian Lawn Bowl Championships in early July
and returned victorious. Along the way, the Indonesian
players representing Bali created a bit of bowling
history, becoming the first country to ever win
a medal in their first appearance.
During the games held in Kuala Lumpur July 5 –
12, 2003, Bali player twenty-three year old Ana
Rahmad finished second behind Commonwealth
Games (2002) gold medalist Sita Zalina
Ahmad in the women's singles event. In Kuala
Lumpur, Indonesia fielded an eight person team
comprised of five men and three women.
Shortly thereafter, Ana Rahmad won a gold
medal in the Asia V's Europe Classic Challenge
leading the triple's team that sailed through
the tournament undefeated (6 - 0). Because of
her stellar performance, Ana has been invited
to participate in the Asian All-Star team and
will represent the region in future international
bowling events.
The Bali Team, originating from the Bali
International Lawn Bowl Club, is largely
comprised of newcomers to the game who only commenced
their interest in the sport when the Bali Club
opened two years ago.
sailSensations Resumes Daily
Service
Improving Tourist Flows Allow
sailsSensations to Sail Daily to Nusa Lemobongan.
Effective Friday, July 18,
2003, the luxury catamaran sailboat sailSensations
has resumed it daily schedule of cruises between
Bali and nearby Nusa Lembongan island.
Evening dinner cruises are also now operated
aboard the ship from Benoa Harbor every Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday evenings.
Bali Adventure Tours Withdraws
From Bird Project in Negotiated Settlement.
Bali Adventure Tours
have issued a formal statement announcing a
"satisfactory settlement" in the protracted
and often acrimonious ownership dispute over
the PT Taman Burung Citra Bali International
owners and operators of the Bali Bird
Park.
Nigel and Yanie Mason, the owners
of Bali Adventure Tours have
issued a written notice stating they had reached
an agreement "that meets all their requirements"
and permits them to withdraw completely from
the Board of Directors and Management of the
Park.
Effective immediately, Bali Adventure
Tours has announced the termination
of all contracts for and on behalf of the Bali
Bird Park and end all marketing representation
for the facility.
The formal statement underlines that "no animosity
or arguments remain between Mr. Zainal Tayeb
and Mr. Nigel Mason" bringing a seeming
end to a highly visible public altercation between
the two that included, at its height, full page
newspaper statements and public demonstrations.
Moreover, the statement depicts last year's
very public dispute as "unfortunate" and "caused
by the actions of other persons who had ulterior
motives.
The statement by Bali Adventure Tours
closed by wishing Mr. Thayeb and PT
Taman Burung Citra Bali International
future success.
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed and
apparently a rival adventure company, Sobek,
form part of the new management structure.
Regions Top Business and Political
Leaders to Gather in Nusa Dua.
Running simultaneously with
the ASEAN Ministerial Summit underway next door
at the Bali International Convention
Center, top business leaders and policy-makers
will gather at the Bali Hilton International
for the ASEAN Business and Investment
Summit October 4-7, 2003.
Organized by the ASEAN Business Advisory
Council, the Summit will feature top
speakers, informative forums addressing business
and investment topics, and interactive business
sessions with some of the region's leading corporations
and representatives from ASEAN investment agencies
and investment destinations.
To be opened by President Megawati Soekarnoputri,
the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit
will also feature addresses by Singapore's Prime
Minister, Goh Chock Tong; the Republic
of Philippines' President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo; Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahatir
Mohammed; Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra; and Japanese Prime Minister
Junichiro Koizumi. In addition to an
extensive range of business forums and business
networking sessions, a program of memorable
social events will be organized around the Summit.
The ASEAN Business and Investment Summit
is being organized by Rantai Expo.
For more information telephone their Jakarta
office at ++62-(0)21-31901987, facsimile ++62-(0)21-31901620
or e-mail via the link below:
Former Imperial Hotel to Operate
Under Accor's Sofitel Banner.
After months of uncertainty following
the end to management contract held by Tokyo's
Imperial Group in late 2002, the Royal
Seminyak Bali's owning company, PT
Satria Balitama, have signed a new management
agreement with the Accor Group.
To become effective once a program of soft refurbishment
is completed, the 120-room resort will be branded
under Accor's Sofitel brand.
During the period after the termination of the
Imperial management contract
the hotel has operated as the Royal Seminyak.
Accor now operates four properties
in Bali, under their Sofitel,
Novotel, and Mercure
brands.
Longer Holiday Weekends in 2004
Government Reschedules Holidays
to Assist Domestic Tourism.
Duplicating a decision made last
year affecting the celebration of holidays in
2003, the Government has officially moved the
celebration of a number of "official" holidays
in 2004 in order to increase the number of long
weekends and boost domestic tourism.
A joint-ministerial decree issued by the ministries
of Religious Affairs, Manpower, and Administrative
Reform has formally moved five holidays in 2004,
namely:
• Idul Adha to now be celebrated
on Monday, February 2, 2004, moved from its original
date of Sunday, February 1st.
• Muslim New Year to now be celebrated
on Monday, February 23, 2004, moved from its original
date of Sunday, February 22nd.
• Nyepi - the Hindu day of silence
- to now be celebrated on Monday, March 22, 2004,
moved from its original date of Sunday, March
21st.
• Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed
to now be celebrated on Monday, May 2, 2004, moved
from the original date of Sunday, May 3rd.
• The Ascension Day of the Prophet Mohammed
moved to Monday, September 13, 2004, from the
original date of Sunday, September 12th.
The ruling only officially affects government
employees but many private companies are expected
to follow the Government's lead and extend similar
holiday facilities for their staff.
US$ 6 Million Fund for Post SARS
Recovery
Government Establishes Special
Working Groups to Rebuild Tourism's Momentum.
Rp. 50 billion (approximately US$
6 million) has been allocated by the Government
to serve as a rescue package to address the downturn
in tourism flows resulting from the SARS epidemic.
These funds are separate from an additional Rp.
100 billion (approximately US$ 12 million) fund
created for tourism recovery following the October
2002 terrorist bomb attack on Bali.
Working Groups Established
In order to accelerate tourism's road to recovery
the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has established
"working groups" comprised of leaders from
the private sector to help the Government formulate
strategies and policies. Among the "working
groups" that have been set up are committees
dealing specifically with the Japanese, Australian,
ASEAN and Middle Eastern markets.
Participants in the working groups are
drawn from members of the Country's various professional
tourism associations.
Southeast Asian Working Group
Meity Robot, the Chairman of the Association
of Indonesian Travel Agents (ASITA) and
a member of the working group for Southeast
Asia explained to the Indonesian-language Bisnis
Indonesia that the marketing message
will be varied when marketing to each country
in the region: Malaysian will be encouraged to
visit Indonesia on the basis of shared cultural
traditions; potential Thai tourists will be persuaded
that Indonesia is a safe and interesting destination;
and Singaporean tourist will be beckoned to enjoy
Indonesia's friendly hospitality.
Bali Covered North to South
Bali Discovery Tours Opens Travel
Counter in North Bali at Lovina.
On Friday, July 18, 2003,
Bali Discovery Tours inaugurated
its North Bali travel counter at the Warung
Bambu Pemaron, located on Jalan Puri
Bagus in Lovina.
Opened to meet the growing demand for travel
products along the island's north coast, Bali
Discovery's new office to the north
will provide visitors with detailed information
on island travel while at the same time promoting
a range of new tours and travel program surrounding
the many attractions of Bali's less-visited
north.
Commenting on the opening of the new travel
counter, Bali Discovery's Managing
Director, Arie S. Sukirno said "we hope
that our new presence at Lovina will act as
a stimulus for our many guests visiting Bali
to extend their stay and explore the rich cultural
and scenic wonders of the areas in Bali northern
and western regions."
As a part of the Company's northern representation,
Bali Discovery's Operations
Manager, M. Fathur Rozi, has personally
undertaken surveys and numerous visits to the
area to create tour options for people staying
in hotels and small resorts which dot the island's
northern coast.
For more information contact Mrs. Beate Dotterweich
at telephone ++62-(0)362-31455 or facsimile
++62-(0)362-27080. Or, contact the tour counter
via the e-mail link provided below.
The 7th Annual
SKAL Charity Ball set to
be held on September 13, 2003, has adopted
the thought-provoking theme of "trashed
and tasteless" for this year's event.
The venue for the dinner-dance, considered
by many to be one of the leading events on
the local social calendar, will be the Ballroom
of the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel
in South Kuta. As in past years, proceeds
generated from the evening ticket sales, auctions,
and raffles will be used to assist selected
local charities and support tourism scholarship
funds. Companies in Bali and the region interested
in contributing prizes or sponsoring part
of the evening are encouraged to contact the
organizers.
Trashed and Tasteless
When approached by balidiscovery.com
to elaborate on the theme for this year's
Ball, Ms. Gigi Van Kuijk, Chairperson
for the Ball, remained fairly non-committal,
choosing to only shake her head knowingly
when we suggested an episode for Ozzy Osbourne,
a remake of the "Rocky Horror Show,"
or Madonna on a bad hair day as possible
guideposts in choosing one's persona for the
big night. Later, in a more forthcoming mood,
Gigi said "this is an opportunity for
you to let your hair down, relax, have a good
time and forget about the worries of yesterday.
We have all a very busy and difficult year,
so we see this is an opportunity for welcoming
everyone to come and join us for a great evening
of fun - a chance to have a good time and
LET'S GET LOUD in the wildest, craziest outfits
- fun, daring, bold."
Tickets and Reservations
Ticket prices - including a surprise welcome
drink, buffet dinner, free flow wine and a
variety show are Rp. 400,000 (approximately
US$ 49) per person with tables of ten going
for Rp. 3.8 million.
For more information contact Ms. Gigi van
Kuijk at telephone ++62-(0)361-289023
or facsimile ++62-(0)361-286008. Or, contact
the organizing committee via the e-mail link
provided below.
SKAL is an international
professional organization of tourism leaders
promoting global tourism and friendship. It
is the only international group uniting all
branches of the travel and tourism industry.
Its members, the industry's managers and executives,
meet at local, national, regional and international
levels to discuss and pursue topics of common
interest.
Margaret Hellback
- Former Top Qantas Executive - Assumes the
Top Role at Bali's Leading Day Cruise and
Water Sports Operator.
After a distinguished
17-year career in marketing with Qantas
Airways, Margaret Hellback
has been appointed General Manager of Bali
Hai Cruises replacing Peter
Duncan, who occupied that position for
the past 13 years.
During her Qantas assignment,
Margaret traveled the globe for the
airline dealing with core brand, advertising,
and design issues. Her responsibilities
also extended setting up Qantas'
passenger lounges and overseeing their OneWorld
program participation.
One of many highlights of Margaret's
career with the Airline was producing the
popular television advertising campaign
"I Still Call Australia Home."
Born in Sydney, but with a childhood spent
all over the Asia-Pacific region including
a stint in Jakarta in the 1970's, Margaret
proclaims she's delighted to be back in
Indonesia working with the friendly Bali
Hai Cruises team in the promotion
of their range of premium travel products.
Peter Duncan, who formerly held the
top post with the Company, is leaving Bali
to assume the senior management role with
a Fiji cruise operator.
Lombok Government
Extends Facilities to Encourage Added Capacity
to Bali's Nearest Neighbor.
Bali-owned Air
Paradise International (API)
have signed a memorandum of understanding
with the provincial government of Lombok
that will, in principle, clear the way
for a transit stop once a week on their
scheduled flight services from Melbourne
and Perth to Bali.
Under the terms of the agreement, landing
fees during the initial six months of
flights, once they are commenced, will
be waived saving the airline an estimated
US$ 500 per flight.
Details of when exactly the new "Lombok
option" for Australian holidaymakers
will become available to API
passengers remains vague with the local
press reporting that the proposed service
would be operated with a Boeing 737-400
aircraft.
API reports loads averaging
74% on its flights between Melbourne and
Bali and 80% on its Perth-Bali sector.
Lombok's tourism sector has suffered dramatic
downturns in tourist flows following the
October 2002 terrorist attack in Bali
and the SARS panic during the second quarter
of 2003. Additional direct international
air access to the island is seen as critical
to Lombok's tourism industry development.
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