"Please pass on my appreciation to Gun, Mawa, Budi and the rest of the team. They were all extremely professional, friendly and helpful and the group really appreciated it. I look forward to running our next group together and seeing you in Bali in the not too distant future."
To answer dramatic increases in demand from Australia's Queensland market for Bali holidays, Garuda Indonesia has added a second dedicated service between Brisbane and Denpasar, bringing the total number of weekly services to four.
The new flight, GA707 departs on Fridays at 8.30 a.m. arriving at 12.30 p.m. in Bali. As with the Monday dedicated service, and the Wednesday and Saturday services that originates in Auckland, New Zealand - the flight is operated with a wide-bodied A330 aircraft.
The new service adds an extra 293 seats per week to the current 879 seats available for sale from Brisbane to Bali.
This new Brisbane service is the first step in a major capacity expansion planned for Australia in 2005. Extra flights and extra capacity are also programmed by Garuda Indonesia from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth later this year in response to a doubling of holiday traffic to Bali and Indonesia from Australia during the last calendar year, said Garuda Indonesia's Regional Manager for Australia, New Zealand and the US - Iriansyah Antemas.
Business travel to Indonesia from Australia rose 24 per cent in the last calendar year, while holiday traffic more than doubled to 265,000.
Bali Hilton Wins Environmental Award
Only Indonesian Hotel Property Named to Prestigious TUI Environmental Champions List.
Starting in 1996, TUI Deutschland - one of Europe's leading tour operators - has surveyed its TUI Holidaymakers asking them to rank the environmental friendliness of the hotels they've visited on their overseas holidays.
In an effort to apply even stricter environmental standards on their partner hotels, TUI in 2004 changed their assessment program which now, in addition to customer assessments, also includes ISO 14001 standards of environmental certification, energy, water and waste management.
TUI has recently announced its list of TUI Environment Champions for 2004/2005 including the Bali Hilton International on that list – the only Indonesian hotel property to be so honored.
TUI's representative, Martina Volmer, (shown on balidiscovery.com) presented the award to Bali Hilton International's General Manager saying, "our guests appreciate the obvious pride the hotel and the employees take in the property, keeping it clean, green and well preserved."
Wanted for Sexual Molesting Children in France, Bali Police Now Seeking Information on Frenchman's Activities in Bali.
A 56-year-old French national, Michel Rene Heller, was taken into custody by Bali police on Wednesday, March 9, 2005, following receipt of a formal letter from the French Embassy in Jakarta identifying the man as wanted by French Police on a pedophile warrant in their country.
Heller, who had reportedly lived for the past five years in Singaraja, North Bali, had been sought by the Interpol Office at National Police Headquarters in Jakarta and by Interpol officers in France.
The latest arrest is part of a continuing crackdown on a ring of foreign pedophiles reported to be operating in Bali. In May 2004, a former Australian diplomat, William Stuart Brown, took his life one day after being sentenced to 13 years in prison in a Karangasem Court for the sexual molestation of underaged boys in East Bali.
Heller, the French man arrested by police, purchased land in Singaraja near Lovina North Bali, but was arrested by police while staying in a bungalow in Ahmed, North Bali.
According to local press reports, the Bali Police will hold Heller for up to 20 days while they interview neighbors to determine if Heller had violated any Indonesia laws warranting his prosecution locally and await completion of a formal extradition request from the French Police.
President Calls for Elimination of Thugs and Touts at All of Indonesia's Airports.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono used the occasion of the formal inauguration of improvement at the Silangit Airport in Tapanuli, Sumatra to call for a crackdown on thugs and touts at all of Indonesia's airports.
Citing the widespread presence of thugs and touts preying on the traveling public as also posing a threat to security, the President said that the many cases of coercion resulting from the presence of such individuals at the airports has caused Indonesia to be the object of much criticism and threatens the stability of the Nation's tourism industry.
Many of the countries international airports serve as basis for of operations for illegal transport and travel services as well as sophisticated operations that prey on returning Indonesian migrant workers.
A World of Sherry at the Conrad Bali
An Evening of Fine Dining and the World's Best Sherries Presented by Bertrand Nouël, Consultant to the Andalucian Sherry Board, Friday, March 18, 2005.
All wines entitled to use the name sherry originate from the Jerez or Andalucia region of southern Spain. Produced primarily from Palomino, Pedro Ximenez and occasionally Moscatel grapes suited to the chalky albariza soil of the Jerez Region – sherry is a fortified wine that undergoes careful aging and blending process at the bodega or wineries of that area.
In a celebration of the wines from the Andalucia region, Conrad Bali Resort & Spa is hosting a unique dining experience in Bali on Friday, March 18, 2005.
An Introduction to Sherry
The dinner, presented by the talented chefs of Conrad Bali Resort & Spa and Mr. Bertrand Nouël, a consultant to the Sherry Council of Andalucia, includes a 5-course menu with each course carefully teamed with one of the world's finest sherry varietals, including:
Fino - Considered the finest sherry and known for their yeasty and slightly nutty aromas, they range from 15.5 to 17 % alcohol and are aged for three to five years in the solera or the bottom-tier of sherry barrels – where only the finest and oldest sherries reside in the three-tier system of casked wine maturation.
Amontillado - Generally served slightly chilled, Amontillado is a rare and relatively expensive type of sherry known for its medium body and nutty flavor.
Palo Cartado - is considered the best of the non-flor sherries that fail to develop the surface yeast or flor. Passing through an aging process in which it begins as a fino and becoming a Amontillado - before its final metamorphic step to it's end form, it retain the elegance of the Amontillado but with a richer, more fragrant style.
Oloroso - Containing between 18 and 20 % alcohol and the product of a prolonged aging process, this is a typically dry wine with a full-bodied style and a scent reminiscent of walnuts.
Pedro Ximenez - The premier dessert sherry this is an extremely sweet, dark brown wine that can be used as a dessert sauce. It is low in alcohol and the made from the raisined grapes of two grape varieties.
The Menu
The Menu of fine food and sherries on offer on Friday, March 18, 2005:
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Salt-cured foie gras and foie gras mousse stuffed figs with a verjus emulsion
Fino: "Innocente" Valdespino
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Pancetta Wrapped Kingfish with olives, capers, raisins and pine nuts in a rustic tomato ragout
Palo Cortado "Peninsula" Emilio Lustau
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Six Spice Roast Quail with a reduction of Mirin and Tamari Served with Lentils Du Pay
Amontillado: "Contrabandista" Valdespino
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Toasted Goat Cheese with Blackened Sherry-vinegar Onions
Oloroso "East India" Emililio Lustau
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Bittersweet Chocolate Cake with Almonds and Dried Fruit
Alvear "1927" Pedro Ximenez
Cost and Reservations
The cost for the five-course dinner including cocktails, wines and 21% tax and service is Rp. 600,000 (approximately US$65.25).
Cocktails begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Spice Restaurant.
Seating is limited and reservations a must.
Call ++62-(0)361-778788 – (Extension #3) or send an e-mail via the link provided.
Event to Aid Kids at Gianyar Kesayan Ikang Papa Orphanage.
The Amandari Resort in Ubud will be hosting a 4-course dinner with wines, pre-dinner cocktaild, dinner and auction to benefit the children of the Kesayan Ikamg Papa Orphanage in Gianyar, Bali on Friday, March 18, 2005.
The evening's festivities commence at 7:00 p.m. at The Amandari Resort in Ubud.
Tickets cost only Rp. 395,000 net per person (approximately US$ 43.00)
For more information or to make a booking, contact Putu at telephone ++62-(0)361-975333 or send an e-mail vial the link provided.
Hawaii Headquartered Hotel Group Snares First Southeast Asian Project in Bali.
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts have announced the finalization of a management agreement for their first Southeast Asian property heralding an expansion from their collection of properties in Hawaii and the South Pacific.
Dave Lawrence, the Managing Director for Oceania for Outrigger Hotels & Resorts has announced a link-up with P.T. Ocean Permata - an Indonesian developer, to manage a 98-suite beachfront property currently under construction on Legian Beach. The resort, estimated to cost US$35 million, is comprised of a mix of one, two and three bedroom studio apartments and suites.
The new resort – to be operated as Outrigger Bali, will help the company expand into the lucrative Southeast Asia region, complementing existing inventories in Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand.
Scheduled for completion in 2006, Outrigger Bali will contain a full range of resort facilities, including two swimming pools, a beachfront fine dining restaurant, café and bars, a 24-hour reception, business center, massage, and fitness facilities.
The Units comprising the new hotel, will be sold to individual investors to be managed by Outrigger Hotel & Resorts.
Abacus Comes to Bali
New Bali Office Seeks to Add on-Line User of International Reservations System.
Abacus Indonesia - part of the international reservation system for travel agents and airlines - have opened an office in Indonesia.
On Saturday, March 3, 2005, the President Director of P.T. Abacus Indonesia, Samudra Sukardi, officiated at the opening of the Bali branch office located at the Dewi Ruci Office Complex on the Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 100, near Bali's Simpang Siur monument.
Attending the grand opening ceremony were a wide cross-section of Bali's travel industry including the General Manager for Garuda Indonesia in Bali, Kriston Rasmanto, together with the Vice President of Networking for the Airline, Simon Pulungan who was in town to attend the opening of the Bali to Fukuoka route by the National Carrier.
According to Sukardi, Abacus Indonesia presence in Bali will ease the local travel industry's on-line transaction and communication process.
Hoping to expand Abacus bookings in Bali where only 90,000 segments are transacted annually on their system as opposed to 300,000 transaction in Jakarta; 200,000 in Surabaya; and 240,000 in Medan (Sumatra).
The branch manage for the new Abacus office in Bali is Ricki Sewaka who told the press that the network will allow local agents and airlines the chance to effectively and efficiently process a high volume of transactions. Moreover, travel agents will have the option of picking from a variety of communication options to fit the size and nature of their business.
Abacus was founded in 1988, operating at that time as a pioneer in Computer Reservations Systems (CRS). Initially serving the worldwide airline industry, the Company gradually expanded its operations to the point where 10,000 travel agents in 20 countries now use the system every day. In Indonesia, Abacus is used by 800 travel agents in more than 1,123 separate locations. The Company maintains support branches in Medan, Surabaya and Medan - all reporting to the Company's national headquarters in Jakarta.
We Get More Mail
More Well-Wishers Send Greetings as Bali Update Turns 7!
After publishing notes of encouragement and well-wishing on Bali Update's Seventh Birthday on March 2, 2005,[See: Bali Update Turns 7!] large amounts of additional mail from some more of the regions key players in travel continued to flow in to our editor, Jack Daniels. We felt some were just too good not to share, so here's the last instalment of letters celebrating our birthday – at least until next year.
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On Behalf of Bali Hotels Association -Congratulations on Bali Updates 7th Birthday. The weekly updates are appreciated by everyone around the world as well as the tourism industry in Bali in ensuring the real picture of
what is happening in Bali is communicated to all subscribers. Thanks for all your efforts Jack!
Robert Kelsall, Chairman, Bali Hotel Association
Congratulations on the 7th Anniversary of Bali Update,
the voice of Bali's Tourism. I wish that we had more Jacks with so much love for Indonesia's tourism, who could help raise the image of Indonesia. I enjoy reading and always look forward to the next Bali Update, because it's so informative, up-to date and trustworthy. Well done Jack, go on - your job ain't finished yet!
Meity Robot, Vice Chair of MPI - Indonesia Tourist Council
bravo Jack!!! on the behalf of the Italian Community in Bali I wish all the best to Bali Discovery and I thank you for your great Bali Update worldwide mail information service given to Bali and its tourism industry. As you know, also a lot of Italians in Bali and all over the world receive and read always your useful information. Be strong with all of us on your side!!
Pino Confessa, Honorary Consul of Italy in Bali
On behalf of WIPI - Voices of Women in Tourism Industry Indonesia send their wishes pf "HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY FOR BALI UPDATE"
I felt that it was just yesterday that Bali Update was being launched. Jack, then was the PATA BALI & NT Chapter Chairman then and I was the Vice Chairman. His commitment to the Bali Community is proven by his continuous contributions via Bali Update with endless news.
Time flew so fast that Bali Update have matured and journeyed to its "7TH YEAR ITCH" updating "VOB" Voice of Bali Tourism Related News to the world. Bali Update has received International recognition after recognition with acknowledgments locally and nationally. Bali update became so important to each and everyone's life in the Industry as Bali Update gives actual facts of what's going on in Bali first hand.
We are proud of your existence -Long Live Bali Update! Sekali lagi Selamat Panjang Umur kepada Bali Update!
Narima M. Yusof, Club Director, WIPI-Wanita Industri Pariwisata Indonesia - (Endorsed by Ministry of Tourism & Culture Indonesia/Bali Tourism Authority)
Congratulations on the Anniversary of Bali Update. To me it is the only media so far that keeps me and many others updated in matters related to Bali tourism. Keep being strong, May God bless you!
A.A. Gede Rai, Spokeman, Bali Tourism Board
Using ITB To Restore Indonesia's Tourism Image
Indonesia's Tourism Minister and Former President Work the Crowds at Berlin Travel Show.
As reported by the Indonesian-language news portal bisnis.com, Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism Minister, Jero Wacik, and former Indonesian President B.J. Habibie joined forces with the Indonesian delegation attending the The International Tourism Exchange (ITB) in Berlin, Germany, March 11-15, 2005.
The participation by Indonesia's former President, who lives much of the time in Germany, is aimed at raising the level of visibility of Indonesia's participation at what is one of the world's largest travel trade fares held each year in Berlin.
According to Minister Wacik who will lead the Indonesian delegation, Indonesia's participation at ITB will help remind the world that Indonesia’s tourism was virtually untouched by the December 26, 2004, tsunami disaster.
Minister Wacik has met recently with former President Habibie in Jakarta to discuss strategies needed to lure Western Europeans to visit Indonesia. Following that meeting, Minister Wacik called for steps to ease visa processing for West Europeans as part of his Ministry's goal of bringing 6 million foreign tourist to the Country in 2005.
Ruth Zuckerman Heads PR at The Conrad
Ruth Returns to PR Role at Bali Resort.
Michael J. Burchett, General Manager of Conrad Bali Resort & Spa has announced the appointment of Ruth Zukerman as the Director of Public Relations for Conrad's first resort in South East Asia.
Following a two-year stint as Director of Sales & Marketing with Conrad Bali where she was closely involved with the opening of that property, Ruth's new role will see her spending more time in Bali publicizing the many activities and positive features of the popular Resort.
Based in hotels in Australia, the USA, Singapore and Thailand, Ruth's career has spanned over 20 years. She has worked with Intercontinental Hotels, Hyatt Corporation, Regent, Four Seasons, and Royal Garden Resorts in the USA, Australia, Singapore and Thailand.
Ruth's roll will involve all public relations activities including global coordination for Conrad Bali Resort & Spa.
Local Public Transport Prices Increase
Balinese Public Transport Prices Hike 12% Effective March 14, 2005.
Effective Monday, March 14, 2005, public transport prices in Bali increased 12% following an increase of between 22-47% in domestic fuel prices that took effect on March 1, 2005.
The increase in public transport tariffs were approved in a letter from the Vice-Governor of Bali based on the recommendations of the regional parliament and the local transportation agency.
With the approved increase in fares - a ride on public transport of more than 8 kilometers will now cost Rp. 2,800 (approximately US$ 0.30) and a ride of less than 8 kilometers will cost Rp. 2,250 (approximately US$ 0.24).
The increase will affect 15 different mass-transit routes in Denpasar operated by some 1,143 vehicles.
Who Uses Bali's Public Transport?
According to the head of the Public Transit Association in Denpasar, Pande Nyoman Yoga, quoted in the Indonesian-language Bali Post, public transport is overwhelmingly used by newcomers to Bali with native Balinese owning their own form of vehicle, either cars or motorcycles. Yoga estimates that only 5% of Denpasar's residents use public transport with 75-80% of newcomers to Bali dependent on the public transportation system.
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