In a seminar held on March 3, 2004, in Jakarta, Garuda Indonesia's President Director, Mr. Indra Setiawan, explained that the airline will not be expanding its long-haul routes to Europe due to low load factors, low ticket yields, and the ongoing success of code-share arrangements with Malaysian Airline System.

Code Share

According to Mr. Setiawan, the code share between Garuda and Malaysian Airlines generates 100 passengers on flights to Paris and London via Kuala Lumpur. Plans are underway to expand the cooperation between the two airlines, including the assignment of 61 Indonesian stewardesses to serve on the Malaysian Airlines flights and the painting of each airlines' livery colors on opposite sides of the same aircraft.

Amsterdam Flight

Garuda Indonesia's sole remaining European route operated with its own aircraft is the Amsterdam service. This represents a dramatic reduction from the 11 European routes operated by Indonesia's flag carrier in 1997.

Focus on Regional Routes

Low yield and low loads on long-haul routes to Europe have caused Garuda to rely on code share arrangements and concentrate its resources on developing short and medium-range routes in the Asia-Pacific region. Accordingly, the airline is expanding its routes to such destinations as China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Ms. Narelle McDougall, a veteran of two decades in the hospitality and tourism industry, has been appointed Le Méridien Golf & Spa Resort, Bali's Director of Sales & Marketing.

Most recently, Ms. McDougall spent six years in Singapore with Parkroyal Hotels and, later, InterContinental Hotels.

An Australian, keen golfer, and frequent visitor to Bali before accepting her new posting to the island, she is delighted with the challenges her new role brings.

More information: Send Narelle a Welcoming E-mail

A set of draft laws now before the People's Consultative Assembly (DPR-RI) would effectively abolish tourism as a Ministerial portfolio, doing away with the current Culture and Tourism Ministry.

The new law, drafted by the State Minister for Administrative Reform and coordinated by the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, would downgrade culture and tourism from a cabinet-level post to become a government department charged only with implementing policies made on a Ministerial level.

The bill – still subject to a lengthy legislative debate and review process – has been greeted with shock by many tourism leaders in Indonesia. Ms. Yanti Sukamdani, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) has labeled the potential removal of tourism from the next Presidential Cabinet as a "big mistake." She complained that such a move by the government completely ignores the fact that international tourism generates US$ 5 billion in foreign exchange for Indonesia while domestic tourists now total 133 million travelers generating Rp. 87 trillion in revenues (approximately US$ 10.2 billion). Tourism, she added, is also seen as the direct and indirect source of over 37 million jobs across the nation.

Indonesia's reigning Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. I Gede Ardika, while insisting he is not seeking to preserve his position in the government, has urged members of the tourism industry to lobby the various political parties seeking votes nationwide to retain a government ministry charged with overseeing tourism matters.

Responding to the Minister's call, Ms. Sukamdani has promised that PHRI will soon start lobbying the various political parties in the country underlining the national vision and mission of tourism by providing data on the sector's massive contributions to the economy.

Bali's traditional observance of the Hindu New Year Caka 1926 on Sunday, March 21, 2004, means that the entire island will shut down from sunrise on that day until sunrise the following morning of March 22, 2004.

In strict observance of this holy day of introspection and meditation Bali's airport will be closed, all businesses will be shut, and all streets will be absolutely free of traffic. Local pecalang will patrol to see the silence is enforced and visitors to Bali on that date will be confined to their Hotel grounds for the entire period of the observance.

Bali International Medical Center Announcement

In the event of illness or accident, the Bali International Medical Center (BIMC) has received the necessary permits and will be staffed with doctor and nurses during the official "day of silence."

Should a medical emergency arise, the BIMC makes the following recommendations:

• Feel free to contact the BIMC by telephone at ++62-(0)361 – 761 263 at any time.

• Guests staying at local hotels and requiring medical attention should first check with the hotel for the availability of hotel-based transport to the BIMC.

• Ambulances and drivers will be standing by on Nyepi to assist in making emergency house calls. The BIMC recommends that residents of the island contact their local banjar and seek permission to come directly to the BIMC for emergency treatment. Most banjars are cooperative in an emergency situation. If you have any doubts in this regard, you may wish to contact your local village chief or klien to obtain passage from the local pecalang.

• The contact details for the BIMC are as follows:

Bali International Medical Center
Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai 100X
Kuta 80361, Bali
Telephone +62 (0)361 761 263
Facsimile +62 (0)361 764 345

• Print this story and post it next to your telephone.

More information: Related Story: Bali Celebrates Nyepi March 21

The Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism has officially launched its new branding message to be used in promoting the country's tourism products.

The new byline of Indonesia – Ultimate in Diversity replaces the old theme of My Indonesia – Just a Smile Away.

A Ministry spokesperson said the new theme is intended to portray the rich diversification of cultures and natural attractions to be found in Indonesia.

Heralding itself as the most varied destination anywhere - Indonesia's new branding theme is intended to go head-to-head in the competition of visitors with Surprising Singapore; Malaysia – Truly Asia; and Amazing Thailand.

Java's ancient cultural capital of Yogyakarta is set as the venue for the Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo 2004 (TIME) to be held there September 26-29, 2004.

Now in its 10^th year, TIME is organized by the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (ITPB) and supported by the entire Indonesian tourism industry. The event will be held at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC) allowing an opportunity for Central Java to showcase its wide range of outstanding tourist sites and visitor's accommodations.

The Chairperson of TIME 2004's Steering Committee, Mrs. Meity Robot, said, "since its first conduct in 1994 in Jakarta, TIME has been organized to show our commitment to support our efforts to maintain Indonesia's image in the international market place. After being held in Jakarta for 10 years, the change of venue is aimed to lift Indonesian's struggling industry, which has been crippled by various setbacks which occurred in late 2002 and early-to-mid 2003: Bali bombing, SARS outbreak, Iraq War, and the terror attack at the upscale Marriott hotel in Jakarta last August. One cannot deny that the world tragedy has an effect on our tourism industry. But, Indonesia's tourism industry is gradually picking up and this needs to be supported."

Meity added that the present difficult condition stimulates new breakthroughs to encourage Indonesia's tourism industry to be more active in making efforts to attract global tourists, particularly in projecting the image of Indonesia as a safe place to visit. Such efforts will add to the country's competitiveness towards meeting global challenges. "TIME provides the momentum for continuing our efforts to promote the destination to aid in the recovery," she added.

"To achieve a maximum number of buyers attending the event, TIME 2004 is held closely with the PATA Travel Mart in Thailand on 22 – 24 September 2004 so that buyers could continue their trip to Indonesia after attending the PATA Mart," Meity explained.

The TIME event is for buyers from overseas and Indonesian sellers from various travel and tourism sectors, including hotels, resorts, spas, airlines, National Tourism Offices (NTO), travel agencies, cruise liner operators, golf operators, and many more. As Indonesia's prime travel show, TIME 2004 endeavors to address the interests of those who sell Indonesia's tourism products and services to international markets.

"TIME 2004 is supported by the entire travel and tourism industry in Indonesia, including the Ministry for Culture and Tourism, Yogyakarta Provincial Government, Yogyakarta Tourism Board, Garuda Indonesia, international air carriers operating to/from Indonesia, INACA (Indonesia National Air Carriers Association), ASITA (Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies), PHRI (Indonesia Hotels & Restaurants Association), Casa Grande (Yogyakarta Hotel Association), and Pacto Convex as event organizer," Meity said.

Despite the global security issues, last year's TIME 2003 was attended by 100 buyers from 25 countries mostly from Taiwan, the Netherlands, USA, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The event attracted 101 sellers from 17 provinces of Indonesia, dominated by the hotel industry 52% from the total sellers and followed by tour operators/travel agents 24%, NTOs 17%, airlines 5%, and golf operators 1%.

TIME 2002 attracted 161 sellers from 16 provinces and 109 buyers from 28 countries.

Need More Information on TIME?

For more information contact Mr. Andi Rusli at Pacto Convex Ltd at telephone ++62-(0)21-5705800 (extension 205).

More information: E-mail Contact for TIME 2004

In a meeting held on March 8, 2004 with representatives from 11 major political parties, Indonesia's Minister for Culture and Tourism, Mr. I Gede Ardika, reminded those in attendance of the importance of peace and national development as the cornerstones of Indonesian culture.

The Minister underlined his hope that the competing political parties would embrace tolerance and mutual appreciation in their inter-party dealings during the current electoral process. He also took the opportunity at the meeting of politicos to distribute two pocketbooks regarding the development of an ethical national culture.

The Minister called on all the political players to strive for high standard of ethical conduct in the political process and avoid the outbreak of any political conflict during the current round of direct political elections.

More information: 2004 Election Time Table

On Saturday, March 6, 2004, over 300 people crowded in the Gaya Gallery Fusion of Senses on Ubud's Sayan Ridge to watch a ground-breaking performance of The Vagina Monologues performed by sixteen actresses from Bali, Java, England, Canada, New Zealand, The Netherlands and Australia. Performing in both English and Indonesian, the group staged 11 of Eve Ensler's monologues dealing with women and their relationship to the play's namesake.

Since its publication in 1998, The Vagina Monologues have achieved an almost cult-following becoming the mantra for a movement to end violence against women and domestic violence in general. The Vagina Monologues are now performed in cities around the world where such stellar names as Cate Blanchett, Glenn Close, Winona Ryder, Whoopi Goldberg, Marisa Tomei, Rosie Perez, Lily Tomlin, and Calista Flockhart have all performed parts in various productions.

Ensler's use of the "V" word and our collective uneasy sense that it is perhaps best left unspoken – forms the central theme on the monologues spoken by different women from different social-economic backgrounds who explore their relationship to their own bodies and to society as a whole through their various musings - including declamations on smells, scents, sex, orgasm, rape, mutilation and the menstrual cycle.

In Bali the bold theatrical enterprise of The Vagina Monologues was enthusiastically received by local audience raising over Rp. 11 million (approximately US$ 1,295) for a newly established women's crisis center in Bali and the Yayasan Forum Mitra Kasih - a local foundation assisting abused women in Bali.

Zante Alexandria is a citizen of the world who was born to Irish-English parents in Greece; raised in Greece, Italy, England, Mexico and the United States; and traveled extensively in Southeast Asia and the world before making her primary home in Bali since 2001.

An autodidact, who benefited from early classical education in the arts provided by renowned Russian painter Irina Hale and American painter Tom Van Sant, Zante is accomplished in both Classical and Renaissance styles.

The artist is currently developing a series of drawings and limited-edition iris lithograph monoprints on the richly-varied spiritualities of South East Asia – her Breath of Life Series in which she endeavors to "make the invisible visible."

She is also finishing a body of work comprised of oil on canvas and charcoal portraits of the Penan tribe in Borneo based on her recent, solo-expedition to the Borneo rain forest - The Penan Series - Light in the Shadows. From these charcoal and oil impressions she is in the process of developing limited - edition iris lithograph monoprints and lithographs.

Her third current project is another book - Everything Under the Sun - an account of her adventures with the Penan.

She resides in her tree house art studio in Bali where she can often be found talking to the trees.

Zante Alexandria's paintings have been exhibited in exhibitions held in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Mexico and Bali since 1995.

Her exhibition at the Ganesha Gallery at the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay will run from March 30 through April 29, 2004.

Bali's Hatten Wines have formally launched their 8 varieties of wines in the Maldives.

At a gala traditional Balinese event at Hulhule Island Hotel in the Maldives on March 12, 2004, over 150 guests attended a stylish launching hosted by Hatten Wines' owner Mr. I.B. Rai Budarsa and the Directors of Lily Group of companies who distribute Bali's wine in the Maldives.

Hatten Wines has been producing wines in Bali from the grapes grown on the island for almost 10 years. Recently its portfolio has expanded to eight wines adding two whites, including the award winning fruity Alexandria (London International Wine & Spirits Competition Bronze Medal for the Muscat category in May 2003); AGA White - a semi-dry Muscat; the young AGA Red; two sparkling wines Jepun Rosé and Tunjung White; and two fortified wines under the Pino de Bali label.

The completely Balinese wine-launching in the Maldives was attended by hotel general managers, food and beverage directors, executive chefs, purchasing managers and also by a number of Balinese hoteliers working at various resorts across the Maldives. Another Balinese company, Mandara Spa, added to the festivities of the evening with traditional Balinese dances performed by members of their staff.

More information: Take Hatten's North Bali Vineyard Tour

Following the successful launch of AustAsia Airlines' new service from Bali to Broome and Karratha on March 5, 2004, the airline has announced changes to their operating schedule.

Following a change in charter aircraft from Merpati Nusantara to Boeing 737-400 operated by Garuda Indonesia the former day time schedule flown on the inaugural service has been shifted to night flights starting from Friday, March 12, 2004.

New Schedule

The new schedule now in effect:

• Denpasar (Bali) to Broome: Departing every Friday with GA7100 at 8:00 p.m. arriving in Broome (Western Australia) at 10:10 p.m.

• Broome to Karratha: Departing every Friday with GA7101 at 11:25 p.m. arriving in Karratha (Western Australia) at 45 minutes past midnight on Saturday morning.

• Karratha to Denpasar: Departing every Saturday morning with GA7110 at 1:35 a.m. arriving in Bali at 4:00 a.m..

Passengers already holding Merpati tickets do not need their ticket reissued. Their existing tickets will be accepted on the new service.

The Airline has announced that their Bali packages will soon be revised to include airport-hotel transfers and late checkouts from hotel as a standard feature in their package offerings.

More information: Bali Now Connected to Australia's North West

Jamie O'Brien, the former Product Manager for Australian wholesaler New Horizons from 1998 – 2003, has relocated to Bali to serve as General Manager of Easy Rider Tours, effective March 8, 2004.

Jamie, who resigned his post in Australia in 2003 to take a long sabbatical in which he traveled across Australia in his 4WD, will head operations for the Bali travel company which handles local arrangements for Australian wholesaler Creative Holidays as well as serving a number of other major inbound accounts from New Zealand, South Africa and the Asian region.

Recharged and refreshed after his exploration of the Australian outback, Jamie admits that the decision to accept the new position in Bali "was a rather quick and easy one." Adding, "I'm very much looking forward to challenge what lies ahead."

More information: Drop Jamie O'Brien a Welcoming E-mail

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