Australia's foremost entertainment, marketing and personality management entrepreneur Harry M Miller recently returned from his first-ever trip to Bali singing the praises of its people, products and professional hospitality standards.

"I just had the best time – it was absolutely fantastic. This wonderful place and wonderful people do not deserve the negative treatment they so often get in the mainstream Australian media, which is often unfair and stupid," he said.

Miller and Sydney-based fine-food entrepreneur Simmone Logue visited Bali on a trip organized by Garuda Indonesia in conjunction with Conrad Bali Resort and Alila Hotels to enjoy some of the many rest, relaxation and fine food experiences the island has to offer.

As a former Director of Qantas – and as the representative of Australian fashion and style leaders including Maggie Tabberer, Deborah Hutton and Ita Buttrose - Miller is well positioned comment on the quality of services encountered over a stay of more than two weeks.

Miller and Logue shared their very positive Bali holiday experience with the estimated 2.6 million readers of the September 2, 2006 edition of New Idea Magazine.

The Bali Travel Experience

"Right from the outset, the Bali experience was world class," says Miller. "I was fascinated by the leg space in Garuda's Executive class and by the gracious staff attitude and service. The trip up there was just amazing.

"Then when we arrived at the Conrad Bali Resort, Tanjung Benoa, we were delighted again by the quality of experience. The staff training there was the best I have ever seen," said Miller, who has more than a decade’s experience advising on international hotel chain hospitality standards.

"The Alila Ubud was just wonderful, as was the Alila Manggis, where Simmone and I were immersed in the local organic cooking culinary experience, starting with a trip to the market and going through private tuition for the both of us. This was very well done and has great tourism potential. The Alila's organic gardens on the beachfront property were fantastic."

"The total resort experience in Bali was wonderful – I do't think I have ever had so many massages and such good massages, it is just such a relaxing place."

Bali's Greatest Asset is its People

"But the thing that makes it truly memorable for us is the people. They are the best thing of all about Bali. They are amazing. They have no hidden agendas – they are just genuinely delighted to serve you and to see to your comfort."

"We were trying to think about what it is that makes the people so wonderful and different - perhaps it is the cultural and spiritual Hindu influence," says Miller, who practices Raj yoga.

"Whatever it is, it is delightful, and I get annoyed when I see our Australian media warning people off Bali. It is so unfair to single out Bali."

What is the Australian Median on About, Anyway?

"When London had a major terrorist alert (in August) no-one was warned to stay away from the UK, just advised to exercise sensible caution."

"Whenever there's anything in the news about Indonesia or Bali, however, you get a warning missile from Foreign Affairs shouted out through the media saying don't go there - avoid the place for all but essential travel."

"The media is not full of warnings about all the other places where there have been terrorist issues – terrorism is a worldwide problem - so why do we single out our friends in Bali?"

"The Australian media is a real problem. Often they have only negative things to say. It is one thing to counsel caution when it is appropriate, but in Australia the overwhelming daily media coverage is negative."

The Need for Ambassadors of Travel

"The issue is one of a lack of leadership. It would be wonderful to see some prominent Australians stand up as Ambassadors for Bali, and speak out for them.

"Perhaps the industry in Bali should look at appointing, say, a half a dozen prominent Australians as Ambassadors for Bali. They could project their message straight to target audiences by way of picture theatre presentations, for example, where you can show the real beauty and the real people that people aren’t seeing in media headlines."

"The industry in Bali has such a wonderful resource to work with, that it just has to cut through the negative perceptions and show people how Bali really is," he said.

The visit by Harry M Miller and Simmone Logue to Bali is one of a series of visits by high profile individuals and editors of high-profile lifestyle publications organized by Garuda Indonesia to broaden Australia's perceptions of Bali and promote positive coverage of the destination.

Shown on balidiscovery.com are, left to right, Simmone Logue and Harry Miller receiving their Garuda Boarding pass at Sydney Airport.

[Book a Stay at the Conrad Bali Resort & Spa]

[Book a Stay at the Alila Ubud]

 

Gede Ardika, Bali's former Minister of Culture and Tourism, has apparently had enough of talk about the "rebuilding" or "recovery" of Bali.

In comments made during the recent Sanur Beach Festival, Ardika said he "did not agree" with terminology calling for "Bali's Recovery" which incorrectly suggests that the island is downtrodden and on the edge of collapse.

As quoted in the Indonesian language Bisnis Bali, the former Minister called on the public to "stop using the terminology 'Bali's Recovery' or 'Bali Rebuilds' which only serve to frighten the public and provide a negative image of the island. Such terms have a negative influence on Bali tourism. Tourists will not want to come to Bali if they are constantly bombarded with worrying news."

Ardika called on Bali's tourism industry to provide concrete proof to the world that Bali is safe. Saying that the last Bali bomb is now almost a year in the past, he contends that it serves little purpose to continue to dwell on that event. The former Minister added: "As long as the people of Bali can still smile, create and carry on their culture – tourists will certainly return. Stop using these negative terms."

A Crisis of Confidence

The popular former head of Indonesian tourism said that Bali's greatest strength is its people. If the people believe in themselves, then Bali will advance. On the other hand, if Bali wallows in fear, then the island will never progress. Continuing, Ardika said he hoped that all parties would stop dedicating all their time and energies in the fight for funding from the Central Government.

Ardika said it is most important that Bali undertake concrete steps for the island based on the innate strength of the Balinese people. While funding is important, if we only squabble over money the true focus of what must be done will be lost.

"The people of Bali must keep faith with God and carry on with their traditions," Ardika insisted.

 

According to the Indonesian language Bali Post, a dramatic shift is underway in the demographics of the average foreign visitor to Bali.

Quoting a Bank Indonesia (BI) report, tourists aged 65 or above now represent 4.8% of all visitors to Bali, a figure 20% higher than previously reported 4% market share for senior citizens.

Conversely, there are worrying signs that Bali may be losing its luster as a family destination with foreign visitors aged between 0-14 years now representing only 4.2% of all visitors, a -53% drop for its former 9% market share. Worthy of further investigation, this significant drop could suggest that security concerns and the failure of the Australian market to rebound underline a somewhat diminished appeal of Bali for family holidays.

 

During a recent survey of local villas conducted by members of Commission B of the Buleleng Regional Consultative Assembly (DPRD), a number of projects were found to have been built without the mandatory building permit. The same inspection survey, as reported in the Indonesian language Bali Post, also discovered a number of villas and restaurants in violation of the set back rule which require a minimum distance of from 50 to 100 meters from the high water mark.

According to Commission "B" Chairman, Made Agus Yudiarsana, villas that violate the set back rules and do not posses the necessary building permits are seriously damaging the public interest. The local legislator pointed out for Balinese villagers are increasingly unable to gain beach access during religious rites due to illegal villa construction. In some areas, according to Yudiarsana, local fishermen are also prevented from landing their vessels due to the "illegal appropriation" of shore line areas by villa operators.

Citing the matter as fundamental to Bali's culture and image, Yudiarsana called on authorities to take stern action against building code violators and illegally constructed villas.

Little or No Tax Contribution

Meanwhile, Buleleng's local tax authorities are blaming the lack of a contribution from villas in their regency for the continuing shortfall in public funds available to local government. To correct the situation, Buleleng officials are surveying villas operating in the region in preparation for enlarging the local tax base.

Using the Internet

In a new departure by local tax authorities, the Indonesian-language Bisnis Bali reports that Buleleng tax authorities are using the Internet to collect information on the number of villas operating in their region together with their pricing structures.

The Head of the Buleleng revenue office, Nyoman Pastika, told Bisnis Bali that villas are generally failing to make a meaningful contribution to public revenues via taxation while causing tax revenues normally earned from hotels and restaurants to decline.

An Uneven Playing Field

Pastika suggested that the uneven playing field between tax-paying licensed hotels and restaurants in contrast to the unregulated villa industry is causing jealousy on its way to becoming a growing source of social friction in Buleleng.

The man charged with seeking revenue sources for Buleleng, Pastika, blamed the lack of clear regulations governing villa operations for the failure of that sector to make a contribution to local tax coffers. He went on to explain that once area villas have been quantified and recorded, his office will draft regulations on villa operations for local debate.

To date, 50 Buleleng villas have been recorded in the survey. Of that total, a number are rented out on a yearly basis with some being sold to tourists. Bisnis Bali reports that tax authorities are now moving their efforts to the eastern region of Buleleng in an effort to increase annualtourism tax revenues to Rp. 23 billion (approximately US$2.5 million).

 

Following a complaint by Garuda Indonesia's anti-corruption unit on July 3, 2006, Bali police have been intensively investigating possible malfeasance involving members of the national air carrier's Denpasar sales office.

As reported in the Indonesian language Bali Post, Police are pursuing leads involving employees and outside agents involved in tickets sales who purchased tickets from from Guam – Bali – Surabaya denominated in U.S. dollars that were eventually refunded in Indonesian Rupiahs. Using a loop hole in the administrative process, those involved in the scheme obtained a handsome exchange rate profit while causing a substantial loss for Garuda.

Bali police are keeping tight-lipped on the case in which no less than 8 Garuda employees, from both Bali and Jakarta, have been interrogated.

As part of Garuda's ongoing efforts to rationalize and streamline its operations, an internal Committee to Handle Corruption is in place at the airline, headed by Captain Ari Sapari. Captain Sapari, who reported the case of malfeasance in the Bali ticketing office to Bali's Chief of Police, has focused his attention on 4 main cases of corruption at the Airline:

• Corruption within Garuda's Cargo Unit involving outstanding transactions of approximately US$9.5 million.

• The disruption in funds from the Foundation for the Welfare of Garuda's Employee (YKPGA), estimated to have cost the Nation Rp. 28 billion (approximately US$3 million).

• Indications of illegal mark-ups in the purchase of A-330 aircraft by the Airline which form a large portion of the Airline's massive debt owed to European creditors.

• Illegal practices in the sale of tickets by Garuda's Bali branch.

 

The Bali Hotel Association (BHA) has announced another eleven students to receive the BHA Hospitality Scholarship Awards for 2006/2007. The scholarships, sponsored by the Ketut Tantri Foundation and the Annika Linden Foundation which honors the memory of Annika Linden, who died in the Bali Bombing in October 2002.

An ongoing program between BHA and Bali's Tourism University (Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata Bali), a number of past award recipients are now working in Bali hotels while another 8 are still pursuing tourism degrees.

Among the benefits included in the awards are full coverage of schooling fees and a mentoring program involving General Managers who are members of BHA. This program provides for students and their Mentors getting together on a regular basis to discuss school-related concerns or their studies.

The most recent scholarship recipients are:

o Ida Nyoman Jelantik Subawa, The Legian Bali
Diploma 4 Hotel Administration.

o Ni Putu Wahyuningsih, Bali Hyatt
Diploma 4 Tourism Management

o Ni Wayan Budi Purnama Dewi, The Patra Bali
Diploma 3 Food & Beverage Service

o Putu Shinta Rahayu, Four Seasons Resort Bali, Jimbaran
Diploma 4 Hotel Administration

o I Gusti A. Agung Puspita Pringga Dewi, Grand Hyatt Bali
Diploma 3 Hotel Management.

o Ida Bagus Dwi Budiartha, Melia Bali Villas &Spa Resort
Diploma 3 Hotel Management

o Ni Luh Putu Ika Kutari, Amanusa
Diploma 3 Tourism Accounting.

o Luh Ari Padmayani, Four Seasons Resort Bali, Jimbaran
Diploma 3 Hotel Accounting.

o Ni Putu Helda Silpia Apriyani, The Ritz Carlton Bali Resort & Spa
Diploma 4 Hotel Administration.

o Dewa Made Tirta Yadnya, Alila Manggis
Diploma 3 Hotel Accounting

Bali Hotels Association is a professional association of star-rated hotels and resort in Bali. Members include general managers from 72 hotels and resort,representing 13,808 hotels rooms and 21,578 employees in the Bali hotel sector.

Shown on balidiscovery.com is a photo of the latest batch of BHA sholarship recipients.

 

Tempo Interaktif reports Bali is the scene for a meeting of 76 leading journalists from 51 countries to discuss issues related to press freedom in a multi-cultural world setting.

The meeting opened by Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Saturday, September 02, 2006, at the Hotel Laguna Nusa Dua, Bali features participation by representatives a number of leading national and international media, including CNN, Aljazeera TV and the leading Indonesian newsweekly Tempo.

Chaired by Desra Percaya - who is also the spokesperson for the Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs, the conference was prompted by the growing recognition of the need for mutual understanding and appreciation among nations and their mass medias. Desra explained, "(this need) was particularly evident following the recent publication of the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in the Danish media."

Percaya said that it was hoped that the Bali meetings will study and explore the role of the media in advancing understanding between differing cultures as well as establish global ethical standards to support freedom of expression.

 

Britain's Prince of Wales will preside over a ceremony in central London on October 12, 2006, to mark the 4th anniversary of the tragic Bali terrorist attack that claimed 202 lives, 28 of which were British subjects.

The ceremony will mark the unveiling of memorial sculpture located on Clive Steps, near St. James' Park, built in the form of a marble globe surrounded by 202 carved doves – one for each of the victims of the blast.

The monument represents the culmination of efforts by the UK Bali Bombing Victims Group who have lobbied the UK Government for a fitting tribute to those who died in Bali. Quoted by the BBC, a spokesperson for the group said, "This is a significant moment for all those affected by the bombings and in particular those who lost loved ones in this terrible outrage."

Families and relatives of the victims together with those who survived the bombing are expected to attend the memorial's unveiling.

 

Indonesia's Minister of Forestry, MS Ka'ban visited the Bali Bird Park in Singapadu on Monday, August 28, 2006, to view first-hand the operation and captive breeding program underway at the popular tourist attraction.

During his brief visit to the Park, the Minister paused to personally attach a gold identification leg band on a 20 day-old Bali Staring (Jalak Putih or Leocopsar Rothschild) born at the facility as part of its captive breeding program for endangered species. The number on the leg band attached to the rare bird, a species now almost extinct in its natural habitat of West Bali, has been recorded in a data bank maintained by the National Conservation Office (KSDA). The future movement of the bird, together with the growing numbers of other Bali Starlings raised at the Bali Bird Park and slated for eventual release back into the wild, can now be monitored and scientifically studied.

In addition to taking the opportunity to tag the baby Bali Starling, Minister Ka'ban inspected the entire Park complex stopping to enjoy the free-flight show performed by star birds, including hornbilsl and an eagles.

Currently housed in the Bali Bird Park's nursery are 15 baby birds, including cockatoos and rare Cendrawasih that may someday be returned to a natural habitat.

The Bali Bird Park is home to more than 250 species of birds numbering more than 1,000 birds

More information: Visit the Bali Bird Park

 

The Bali branch of the National Movement for the Rehabilitation of Jungles and Pastures (Gerhan) hopes that a recently allocated government fund of Rp. 12 billion (approximately US$1.3 million) can be used to restore some of Bali's jungle and natural pasturelands.

Members of Commission IV of the People's Consultative Assembly (DPR), Made Urip and Gde Sumarjaya Linggih, told the Indonesian language Bali Post that they "hoped the above funds could be supported by additional funds from the State Budget."

Linggih said that part of the US$1.3 million has been allocated for rehabilitating depleted areas of Bali that now total 6,000 hectares. Both legislators termed Bali’s land use as being in a critical state, with wild land reserves now at 30% less than stipulated minimums due to diversion to agricultural purposes. As a result, Bali is suffering significant drought conditions as seen by former lake bottom at Danau Buyan now being used as a soccer field.

Meanwhile, legislators are promising to continue their efforts to urgently lobby for more funds to be allocated to jungle and natural pastureland rehabilitation.

 

Sourcing Bali, a company that provides supply and purchasing services for Indonesian products, has been an active supporter of Panti Asuham Salam, a Christian orphanage located in Tabanan that cares for 46 children, ranging in age from 4-17.

Since 1998, Sourcing Bali, with the help of generous donors from around the world, has helped the orphanage construct new bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining area and undertake general renovation projects at the facility.

Due in part to Sourcing Bali's interest in the orphanage and the publicity this has generated, the list of those supporting the children has grown.

In July of 2005, Desmond James and his Sourcing Bali team set the ambitious goal of undertaking a Rp. 120 million project (approximately US$ 13,000) at the orphanage that include a renewal of the sewage system, drainage system, laundry facility and the installation of a basketball court. Over half the required funds were covered by donations with the balance covered by Sourcing Bali.

The Court was officially "inaugurated" on Friday, September 1, 2006, in a series of friendly matches between the 60 staff of the company and the children of Panti Asuham Salam. On the day of the game the "angels" of Sourcing Bali arrived with t-shirts and basketballs.

We're uncertain of the final score in the games that followed. We are, however, firm in the knowledge that the kids came out as the final winners.

Good one, Desmond!

 

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