"I would like to thank all at Bali Discovery Tours for providing such great service to Aurora and her passengers. The day was a real success - thanks to the detailed pre-planning from Jack and the team."
Bali by the Numbers:
Europe Staging a Comeback, ASEAN a Major Market
Force and Asia Pacific Down Badly for Jan-July
2006.
As reported on balidiscovery.com [Bali's
July 2006 Arrivals a Mixed Bag], total foreign
arrivals to Bali for January-July 2006 totalled
674,561 – a drop of -20.39% from the same
period in 2009.
As graphically presented on balidiscovery.com:
• The Asia Pacific Region (excluding
ASEAN) arrivals during the first seven months
of 2007 totalled 374,431 – a numbers that
is down -26.64 from the same period last year.
As show in the last instalment of Bali by the
Numbers, Australia and Japan remain the worst
affected markets in producing tourist to Bali.
• ASEAN arrivals are down -9.45% for
the first seven months of 2006. Due to the advent
of low-cosr carriers in the region, ASEAN arrivals
have become a major source of business to Bali,
operating at levels almost 3 time higher than
5 years ago.
• Arrivals from the Americas (both North
and South America) are down -21.19% for January-July
2006 from that period in 2005 but, at the same
time, exhibit signs of steady recovery.
• European arrivals are still down -8.8%
for January-July 2007 from one year before.
European arrivals are showing definite signs
of growing strength, far ahead of the pace demonstrated
in 2003 after the first Bali bombing.
Balidiscovery.com
Launches a Website to Keep the World Informed
on Events, Happenings, Exhibitions and Performances
on the Island of Bali.
After several months of preparations and trials,
balidiscovery.com proudly launched its newest
website BaliCalendar.com on August 16, 2006.
BaliCalendar.com
Created to fill a long-stranding need in Bali
for a central source of information on events
and happening in Bali, BalCalendar.com has been
designed to encourage community access and participation,
allowing the public to submit their events for
posting on the site.
Equipped with a powerful search capability,
BaliCalendar.com allows visitors to narrow their
search for "things to do" by type
of activity (e.g. exhibitions, seminars, sports,
public holidays, festivals, community meetings,
and conferences & conventions) or a specific
forward period in time.
Commenting on the launch of the new website,
Arie S. Sukirno, Managing Director of Bali Discovery
Tours said: "we hope this new website will
become a permanent bookmark on the browser of
Bali friends and visitors around the world.
By providing a central authoritative source
for tracking what’s happening in Bali
we hope BaliCalendar.com will make a real contribution
to Bali's recovery and encourage visitors to
extend their stay on the Island in order to
include the many activities available for both
locals and visitors."
Prestigious Indonesian
Tourism Think Tanks Says Current Approach to
National Tourism Just Doesn't Work.
The Indonesian Think Tank on Tourism (Masyarakat
Pariwisata Indonesia – MPI) have called
on the Indonesian Government to urgently revitalize
the tourism sector of the national economy and
correct the perceived lack of coordination by
the Department of Culture and Tourism.
As reported in the Indonesian language Bisnis
Indonesia, the Chairman of MPI, Potjo Sutowo,
(shown on balidiscovery.com) has called for
a "new architecture" to be applied
to national tourism designed in equal parts
by the government, the public and the tourism
industry.
In approaching this "new architecture,"
according to Sutowo, the government's role is
to create a national tourism image and promote
tourism; the people's responsibility is to develop
the country's tourism products; and the tourism
industry’s practitioners function to package
the tourism products.
Speaking at a Jakarta forum on Tourism and
the Revival of Indonesia, Sutowo explained:
"All the leaders of the various sectors
must be involved – the government, the
public and the tourism industry. It's high time
that Indonesia turn away from the exploitation
of non-renewable natural resources to an industry
that is sustainable."
The Secretary-General of MPI, A Zacky Siradj,
said that decision making among tourism's Elite
has been little more than lip service, likening
their efforts as being more akin to play-acting.
At the same forum, the Director of the Institute
fir Development Economics and Finance (INDEF),
M. Fadhil Hasan, urged that the revitalization
of national tourism must bee done in conjunction
with a repositioning of Indonesia's image and
tourism strategies, adding: "Tourism is
the second largest contributor of foreign exchange
after the oil and gas sector and is capable
of absorbing 15% of the labor force. Indonesia
must reshuffle and reposition itself in the
region, both on a competitive and regional cooperation
level."
Hasan explained that the repositioning of Indonesian
tourism must develop a sustainable product,
moving away from mass markets to a new basis
that empowers a people who enjoy the support
of the regional and national government.
Bali
Honors its Tourism Heroes
Eight Receive the
Karyakarana Pariwisata 2006 – Bali Tourism
Award from Governor Dewa Made Beratha.
On Monday, August 14, 2006, Bali bestowed
its highest honor for service and dedication
to the Island’s tourism on 8 individuals
at a ceremony presided over by Bali's Governor,
Dewa Made Beratha.
Those receiving the Karyakarana Pariwisata
2006 award are:
• I Gusti Agung Prana, former Chairman
of the Bali Chapter of the Association of Indonesian
Tour and Travel Agents (ASITA).
• Made Rempi, a local pioneering businessman
in the field of Hotels.
• Nyoman Bagiarta, a pioneer in alternative
tourism.
• Makiko Iskandar, the President Director
of Rama Tours.
• A.A. Arka Hardiana, the owner of the
Melasti Beach Resort.
• I Ketut Robin (deceased), the founder
of Trio Bali Tours and a former Vice Mayor of
Denpasar.
• Hadi Taryoto, the Chairman of The Indonesian
Association of Professional Hoteliers (IAPINDO)
and owner of the Bali Rani Hotel.
• Rizani Idsa Karnanda, a senior guide
in Bali.
This is the third annual presentation of the
Karyakarana Awards given by the government of
Bali to individuals judge by a blue-ribbon panel
of selectors to those judged to have made a
lasting and meaningful impact on Bali's Tourism.
Senior Balinese Tour
Operator Selected to Head Bali Branch of the Indonesian
Association of Tour and Travel Agents.
Aloysius Ada Purwa, more generally known to friends
and neighbors as "Al Purwa," has been
elected Chairman of the Bali Branch of the Indonesian
Association of Tour and Travel Agents (ASITA).
Purwa, a popular figure in Bali travel circles,
is the owner of KCB Tours.
In addition to his newly appointed job to represent
the more than 300 tour and travel operators
registered in Bali Purwa also serves as the
current Chairman of the Bali Chapter of the
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and as
the Honorary Counsel of the Royal Kingdom of
the Netherlands.
May We Draw Your
Bath?
Maya Ubud Adds
a Special Bathing Menu to Its In-Room Options
Maya Ubud Resort & Spa has introduced a
Special Bath Menu option for villa guests. During
their stay guests can now enjoy a variety of
specially prepared bathing experiences in the
privacy of their own villa.
Four unique bath experiences have been formulated
and include:
• A Romantic Flower Milk Bath
• An Energizing Herbal Bath
• A Body Recharge Bath
• A Stress Relieving Bath.
Each bath formula has been carefully compiled
a variety of aromatherapy oils, milk bath, herbs
and tropical flowers sprinkled over warm waters.
While the energizing herbal bath includes eleven
locally harvested traditional herbs including
ginger, turmeric, galangal, betel, pomelo, and
cinnamon as well as fresh lemon, pandan and
betel leaf, others use aromatherapy oils and
bath milk. Each preparation aims to relax, renew,
revitalize and refresh.
Staff have been trained to explain and prepare
the bath for guests.
"With such an abundance of herbs and flowers
and other natural products available on Bali
that can be used in combination with pure aromatherapy
oils," said Paul Blake, General Manager
of the resort, "guests can enjoy something
different by taking one of our specially prepared
baths."
The Maya Ubud Resort & Spa, sits majestically
high above the banks of the legendary Petanu
River, across from charming historical villages
of Bedulu and Pejeng, and within walking distance
of the vibrant artist centre of Ubud.
Hot Air Kitesurfing
Competition August 26-27, 2006
Sanur's Semawung
Beach to Host 2 Days of Hot Air Events.
Stiff Chilli Restaurants together with Blue
Oasis Beach Club will present a Hot Air Kitesurfing
Competition August 26-27, 2006 on Semawang Beach,
Sanur – opposite the Stiff Chili Sanur
Restaurant.
Scheduled events include:
•Marathon- long distance race from north
to south, along Sanur Beaches
• Freestyle - best Kitesurfing moves
judged by international panel
• Hangtime- who can stay in the air the
longest while Kitesurfing
• Jump for Cash – a contest to
see which kitesurfer can jump the highest
Many prizes and gifts for all.
For more information telephone: ++62-(0)361-414059
or ++62-(0)361-7460564. Mobile ++62-(0)811-388766
8TH Annual Rotary
Charity Golf Tournament
October 6, 2006 Event
to Provide Support to the Needy Children of Bali.
For the 8th year in a row, Rotary Club Nusa Dua
will be holding their annual charity golf tournament
to raise funds on behalf of the needy children
of Bali.
To be held at the Bali Golf & Country Club
at Nusa Dua, action commences at 1:00 p.m. with
a shotgun start and ends 18-holes later with
a buffet dinner party at 7:00 p.m.
Refreshments, entertainment, lucky draw and
an auction will form just part of the fun with
exciting prizes and trophies for the day's top
golfers.
Participation Fee
• Golf Players – Rp. 950,000 (approximately
US$103) covers cost of play and the buffet award
dinner.
• Non-players Rp. 150,000 (approximately
US$16) for dinner gathering only.
For more information telephone Edward Naus
at ++62-(0)81 2388 1225 or Jo Rosarius at ++62(0)81
139 3635.
Very Connected Ambassadors
for Bali
Bali's Official Ambassadors
for 2006 'Test' the New WiFi System at Bali's
Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa.
Bali's Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa recently
inaugurated the launch of its Wireless Internet
Service (WiFi) by inviting Bali's official ambassadors
to test the service that keeps guests connected
from every corner of the property.
Guests staying at the 5 star resort can now
enjoy wireless Internet connections in their
rooms, conference facilities, pools, gardens,
bars and restaurants.
Not to be fooled by their preference for traditional
Balinese dress in their official role to represent
the island around the world, Ni Luh Putu Sri
Purna Widari and Liberty Putra Simanjuntak,
Miss and Mr. Bali Ambassador 2006 demonstrated
their thoroughly modern approach to global communication
when they paused at the outside breakfast lounge
of the Hotel's Palace Club to go "on-line"
by checking the website of the Bali Tourism
Board.
Join Local Bali Volunteers
and More that 35 Million Worldwide at Monkey Forest
Road on September 16, 2006 to Clean up the World.
On September, 16, 2005 over 500 volunteers from
Ubud and Bali's Gianyar Regencey will be joining
an estimated 35 million people in over 120 countries
worldwide to take part in Clean Up the World Weekend.Bali's
Ubud Hotels Association is an official Member
of Clean Up the World – one of the largest
community based environmental campaigns in the
world.
I Komang Kariyana of Ubud Hotels Association
said, "We are proud to be part of a global
organisation that unites millions of people
to clean up their part of the world. Over the
Weekend, our volunteers will be cleaning up
rubbish from one of the most famous tourist
sites in Ubud, the artistic and cultural heart
of Bali."
"We hope we will have the support of as
many people in the community as possible and
urge everyone to join us at Monkey Forest at
8:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 16th and help
make Ubud a cleaner, healthier place to live,"
Kariyana continued.
Clean Up the World Founder and Chairman Ian
Kiernan AO has sent a message of support to
the local volunteers participating in Clean
Up the World Weekend. "Volunteers from
Ubud will join millions of people across the
world . . . in a global effort to clean up,
fix up and conserve the environment. Congratulations
to Ubud Hotels Association for coordinating
this event on a local level. With your support,
we are proactively addressing the issue of rubbish
in our environment."
From national clean up campaigns to recycling
and water reuse projects, volunteers will take
part a variety of environmental projects with
year-round activities celebrated over the Clean
Up the World Weekend, this year celebrated on
15 - 17 September.
The campaign in Ubud has been supported locally
by Ubud Hotels association, PHRI Ubud, Alila
Hotels and Resorts and Amandari..
In 2006, Clean Up the World is encouraging
participants to pay particular attention to
the state of the world's deserts and the contribution
our actions can make to combat desertification.
Members are encouraged to plant trees, implement
energy and water conservation initiatives and
remove rubbish from the environment as part
of Clean Up the World Weekend, September 15-17,
2006.
Clean Up the World originated in Sydney, Australia
in 1993 and is held in partnership with the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The campaign brings together community groups,
schools, governments, businesses and individuals
to undertake activities to improve water quality,
clean up local streets, parks, waterways and
forests and educate children about the environment.
First of 60 Next
Generation 737s to be Delivered to Indonesian
Operator in Early 2007 after Final Flight Tests
A troupe of Indonesian dancers parading yellow
banners were on hand in July 2006 in Seattle
for the rollout of the first Boeing 737-900-E-R
aircraft for Lion Air,, the first of 60 ordered
by the Indonesian low-cost carrier.
Indonesian dancers escorted the newest member
of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family along
the south shores of Lake Washington as employees
and 737 supplier representatives, local and
Indonesian government officials and Indonesian
launch customer, Lion Air, looked on.
Longer and Larger
The latest model in the 737 family, the Boeing
737-900-E-R can carry 215 passengers as fare
a 3,700 miles.
"This is a wonderful day for the Boeing
team and 737 customers. The capability and value
of the world's most successful jet family continues
to grow with the new 737-900ER," said Mark
Jenkins, vice president and general manager
of 737 Airplane Production. "We are confident
that the airplane's unprecedented economic advantages
and industry-leading reliability will enable
our customers to be even more successful. That's
the hallmark of the 737."
Boeing launched the 737-900ER in July 2005
when Jakarta-based Lion Air announced an order
for 30 737-900ERs.Lion Air also exercised purchase
rights for 30 additional 737-900ERs in June
2006. In addition to Lion Air, the 737-900ER
has been ordered by Continental Airlines, GE
Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) and Sky
Airlines. Futura International Airways and Excel
Airways will begin operating 737-900ERs on lease
from GECAS in 2008.
Delivery to Indonesia in Early 2007
The first 737-900ER will be delivered to Lion
Air in the first half of 2007, following a five-month
flight test program.
"The induction of the 737-900ER into our
fleet will give Lion Air the competitive advantage
both in cost savings and service," said
Rusdi Kirana, president-director of Lion Air.
"We are proud to be the only airline in
Southeast Asia that will operate the 737-900ER,
which will support our strategic plan to expand
our routes and add new destinations within our
growing market."
The 737-900ER is the same size as the 737-900,
but can carry 26 additional passengers in a
one-class configuration. At 138 ft., 2 in. long,
the twin-engine jet incorporates a new pair
of exit doors and a flat rear-pressure bulkhead
that allows a maximum capacity of 215 passengers
in a single-class layout.
Aerodynamic and structural design changes,
including strengthened wings, a two-position
tailskid, enhancements to the leading and trailing-edge
flap systems, and optional Blended Winglets
and auxiliary fuel tanks, will allow the 737-900ER
to accommodate higher takeoff weights and increase
its range to 3,200 nautical miles (5,900 km).
The 737-900ER will have substantial economic
advantages over competing models including 9
percent lower operating costs per trip and 7
percent lower operating costs per seat than
the A321 -- which is more than 10,000 pounds
(4,536 kg) heavier.
Shown on balidiscovery.com is the newest Boeing
aircraft in 'Lion Air' livery colors at the
rollout ceremony in Renton, Washington.
Garuda Gets a Rp.
1 Trillion Cash Injection
Much Needed Cash
Relief for Garuda and Merpati as Airlines Struggle
to Streamline and Restructure their Massive Debt
Burdens.
The Indonesian language Bisnis Indonesia reports
that the government has come to the rescue and
agreed to cash injections of Rp. 1 trillion (approximately
US108.7 million ) cash injection for Garuda Indonesia
and a Rp. 450 billion (approximately US$ 48.9
million for Merpati Nusantara to be taken from
the 2006 national budget.
"We hope that with these injections Garuda
can regain its financial health," expressed
Said Didu, Secretary to the Minister of State
Owned Enterprises.
Said explained that the cash injection was
not tied to current efforts to restructure the
US$794.6 million debt owed to the Export Credit
Agency. "This cash injection will be supervised
closely," added Said, "so there will
be no repeated call for more injections."
The Director of Garuda Indonesia, Emirsyah
Satar, confirmed that steps are now underway
to bring efficiencies to the airlines operation
– estimated to reduce costs by 5%-10%
in the early stages while other steps to rationalize
Garuda’s management and general payroll.
The airline will also sell its subsidiary companies,
seek strategic partnerships and eventually go
public.
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