PT Angkasa Pura I, the State-owned management company of Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, has published the official Requests for Qualification (RFQs) for the lease of commercial areas at Ngurah Rai Airport - Bali International Terminal.

ed companies, both international and national corporations, are eligible to apply in three business sectors – food & beverage, duty free and retail/spa/currency exchange.

As reported by Balidiscovery.com, the Indian airport group GVK has been appointed to manage the non-aeronautical commercial operations of the airport. [See: An Airport of Shopkeepers]

The commercial management contract covers the existing airport operations and the revamped terminal scheduled to open in late 2013.

Details of the Request for Qualification, preliminary to bidding include:

A. Food & Beverage:
Number of Tenders: 11
Total surface: 4050sq m
Request for Qualification (RFQ) issuance: 15 January 2013
Closing date for RFQ: 5 February 2013

B. Duty Free
Number of Tenders : 1
Total surface: 2204sq m
Request for Qualification issuance: 22 January 2013
Closing date for RFQ: 15 February 2013

3. Retail/Spa/Currency Exchange
Number of Tenders : 15
Total surface: 3707sq m
Request for Qualification issuance: 29 January 2013
Closing date for RFQ: 20 February 2013

Interested parties can download the Request for Qualification forms at [www.tenderbaliairport.com].

Paris-based PT&M (Public Tenders & Marketing) is working for GVK in administering the tender process.

Tens of members of a group identifying themselves as the Federation of Airport Traders (P2B) from the Ngurah Rai International Airport have made representations to the management of Bali’s airport, seeking clarification on future prospects of being able to continue their airport-based businesses.

ted by Bisnis Bali, the P2B were received by the airport’s general manager of the airport, Tri Basuki.

The chairman of P2B, Wayan Sukses, said, “We came to ask for a clarification as to whether there is a place for our members to sell their goods at the airport once the airport project is completed.” He said that the federation’s members wished to know more about the bidding process now open for commercial space at the airport and whether or not they were guaranteed places of business in the upgraded airport.

An airport spokesman said any final decision on the tender process and who would be allowed to operate businesses at the airport was a matter solely for a decision by the central office of Angkasa Pura in Jakarta.

[The Great Pretender]

[See: An Airport of Shopkeepers]

 

Environmental activists united under the Bali Working Committee for Environmental Advocacy (Kekal-Bali) are supporting the revocation of an exploration permit of the popular “Aqua” bottle water brand (PT Tirta Investama) in the village of Peladung in the Karangasem Regency of Bali.

The exploration permit issued by the Regent of Karangasem has caused unrest among local citizen who were concerned that  drilling for mineral water would affect the irrigation systems used by area farmers.

Farmers had also been vocal in declaring their concern that the exploration might deplete four local water sources at Ababi, Tauka, Tirta Gangga and Yeh Ketupat. The four water sources are seen as of central importance to the continued existence of local communities.

Quoted by Kompas.com, a leading Bali environmentalist, Wayan “Gendo” Suardana, told the press on Monday, January 14, 2013, “We reject all forms of privatization of water, because water is essential to many and its distribution must be kept away from private industry.”

Kekal called on the Regent of Karangasem to honor the decision of the people of the village of Peladung who have firmly rejected the exploration for mineral water by Aqua or the building of an exploration facility by that company in their community.

Gendo called upon the Regent to urgently accede to the aspirations of the village of Peladung and revoke the exploration permit given to PT Tirta Investmama and not grant permission for the privatization of water resources to any private party.

Subsequently, the Bali Post reports that the vice-regent of Karangasem, Made Sukerana, accompanied by the regional secretary, Ir. Gde Adnya Mulyadi, announced on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, that the exploration permits and drilling at Bungbun, Padangkerta would be suspended.

This would effectively end the permits issued by the regent of Karangasem, Wayan Geredeg to PT Tirta Investama (Aqua) in 2012.

Regency officials were quick to explain that the permit given to the bottle water company was only to drill for water samples and were no automatic guarantee that an exploitation certificate would eventually be issued by regional authorities.

Bali Post reports that drilling has ceased at the location where a 30-centimeter test bore of unknown depth is all that remains of the project.

In February 2013, The Westin Nusa Dua, Bali will host some of Europe’s most famous football teams when the players of AC Milan Glorie come to stay. The team will be visiting Indonesia as part of a goodwill tour that will include a coaching clinic in Jakarta for talented young Indonesian players.

eting and greeting their many Indonesian fans, AC Milan Glorie will also play a charity match against the Indonesia All Stars at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on February 9, 2013.

The AC Milan Glorie team will enjoy three days of relaxation at the 5-star Bali resort before flying to Jakarta for the friendly match and coaching sessions.

The Bali interlude will be an opportunity to escape the Italian winter for the tropical indulgence of Bali. The players are expected to relax at the resort’s beach, enjoy spa treatments and maintain their peak fitness at Westin Workout.

“This will be the second time that The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali has had the pleasure to welcome AC Milan Glorie. The club’s tour has become a highly anticipated event on Indonesia’s sporting calendar for soccer enthusiasts. It is a worthy initiative that not only puts a positive spin on the sport but also inspires youngsters to get out and play. I hope that the team enjoy their stay on the island of Bali and feel well rested by the experience”, says Bipan Kapur, managing director of The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali.

[Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali]
 

A French tourist, Pierre Maurice Jaques Girrard (66) was found dead in his room at an accommodation venue in Sanur, Bali on Tuesday, January 15, 2013.

As reported by the State News Agency Antara, the head of the criminal division of the Denpasar Police Precinct, Police Commissioner Ambariayadi Wijaya, said, “Based on the explanation provided by the (victim’s) wife, the man is known to have drank beer mixed with an unknown variety of alcohol while visiting a friends home on Jalan Kutat Lestari.”

Before his death at the Gunakaya Home Stay on Jalan Karangsari No. 11 in Sanur, the victim and his wife, Maarthin Thevin (60), visited the lodgings of a friend at near midnight to watch a televised soccer match.

The Frenchman’s wife discovered the man the following morning dead in his bed at 7:30 a.m..

The wife told the police that she suspected her husband may have died of a heart attack, having suffered a heart attack several years ago. Police found no indications of foul play when police forensic officers examined his body.
 

An Interpol officer from the National Police Headquarters has joined in search efforts for a 38-year-old Russian, Dmitry Lazuth, who disappeared while swimming on Pandawa Beach in South Kuta on Sunday, January 13, 2013.

The  Interpol Officer, immediately after arriving in Bali, has begun gathering information and taking statements surrounding the man’s disappearance while swimming.

Also interviewed by Interpol were members of the search and rescue team (SAR). Quoted by Seputarbali.com, a member of the SAR team, Wayan Rusdi, said on Wednesday, January 16, 2013, “I was asked many things in connection with the events surrounding the Russian and the various steps taken to find the missing many on Pantai Pandawa.”

Rusdi said the search for the missing Russian fisherman has been assisted by the police and local citizens and included large areas sweeps of the ocean seeking to recover the man’s body.

Meanwhile, the man’s wife and infant child have waited ashore while search efforts continue. Press reports say the woman, desperate for her husband’s return, has consulted Balinese mystics and performed simple Bali-Hindu ceremonies on the shore.

Rusdi told the press that the woman has said she must return to Russia with her husband and child on January 25, 2013. If her husband or his body is not found by that time, she will return to Russian with an official letter of explanation confirming his death by drowning.

Rusdi said, “If the victim’s wife cannot bring a letter of explanation from Indonesian authorities, they will be banned from entering Russian territory.”

Lazuth went swimming during a period in which he was advised by lifeguards not to swim into the large waves crashing onto the shore. Ignoring that advice, the man was later swept out to sea by the waves and strong currents.

Efforts continue to recover the man’s body from the ocean surrounding Bali’s southernmost peninsula.

Bali is in the midst of a severe water crisis. Since 1995, the Ministry of the Environment has predicted that Bali would soon experience a water deficit of 1 billion cubic meters of water per year growing to 27.6 billion cubic meters by 2015. Moreover, the Center for the Study of Sustainability at Udayana University predicts Bali will soon have a shortfall of clean water approaching 1,500 liters per second.

As reported by The Bali Post, the chairman of the Bali Friends of the Earth (WALHI), Wayan “Gendo” Suardana, has urged regional leaders, both on the provincial and regency/municipality level, to halt any steps to privatize the control and distribution of fresh water in order to ensure that water is distributed in a fair and just manner to meet the essential needs of the island’s people.

“Gendo's” call is connected from the increasing number of private companies in Bali utilizing subterranean water sources as part of their business. In addition to companies selling bottled water, these water resources are being tapped into by hundreds of other companies in Bali.

The rapid increase in the development of tourism accommodation in Bali, such as villas, has resulted in a rapid increase in demand for fresh water. WALHI is concerned that, unless the proliferation of villas is brought under control, the island’s carrying capacity in terms of fresh water supplies will be surpassed by villas tapping into subterranean water reservoirs to fill their swimming pools.

The heavy use of water from subterranean water supplies is resulting in severe salt-water intrusion of the water table. Nyoman Sunarta, a lecturer in tourism at Bali’s Udayana University, said on Monday, January 14, 2013, blamed the growing number of villas in South Bali, such as in North Kuta and primarily in Kerobokan Kelod, Kerobokan Kaja and Canggu for the growing water problem.. Adding, “the worst proliferation in villas is taking place in Kerobokan Kelod.”

According to Sunarta, the villas being built in Bali need large amounts of fresh water for the use of their guests and to fill swimming pools. On the average, he estimates a villa requires 2,250-2,500 liters of fresh water per room per day. He explained: “Villas need much more water that starred hotels. If a starred hotel needs 1,500 liters of water per room per day, a villa can require 2,250 liters per room per day. If the development of villas is not put under control, this will prove dangerous to Bali’s water sustainability and the increasingly critical water supply.”

Villas tend to use ground water because it is cheaper than purchasing water from the water utility board. If the reservoir of fresh water is reduced, seawater intrudes into the water table. Sunarta said: “I am not surprised if saltwater intrusion has reached Sanglah (downtown Denpasar), because the use of fresh water is so intense. What’s more, the development of hotels and villas using subterranean water has increased dramatically over the last ten years.”

Continuing, Sunarta said uncontrolled villa development is also polluting water supplies in agricultural areas and disturbing agricultural outputs.

He said there is a need for political will on the government’s part to control villa development in Bali. He accused many villas of illegally tapping into subterranean water supplies and then failing to pay taxes and water use charges.

The Bali Villa Association (BVA) also accuses the illegal villa sector of tapping into the subterranean water supply while failing to pay a contribution to badly needed tax revenues.

The Deputy-Minister for Tourism and the Creative Economy, Sapta Nirwandar, told Bisnis.com that he is not concerned with the increase in entrance fee for the ancient Buddhist monument of Borobudur - calling on all concerned to see the price hike objectively.

“A ticket to visit the Candi Borobudur, when compared with tourist objects overseas in the countries of origin for the tourists, is relatively inexpensive. I once visited the Grand Canyon and the price was US$45, that was just to look at the canyon,” said Sapta at a ceremony held at the Ministry on Friday, January 18, 2013.

However, a check with the U.S. National Park Service Website for the Grand Canyon shows the current cost for one car, including all occupants, is US$25 and valid for 7 days. An individual visitor to the park pays only $12.

For comparison purposes, the current admission rates at various international attractions:

• St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican) US$20.00
• Coliseum (Rome) US$18.00
• Louvre Museum (Paris) US$13.50 
• Eiffel Tower (Paris) US$20.00
• Westminster Abbey (London) US$26.00
• London Eye (London) US$32.00
• British Museum (London) Free of charge
• Pyramid of Kufo (Egypt) US$15.00
• Angkor Wat (Cambodia) US$20.00

Sapta urged that the cost of visiting the Borobudur Park must be viewed in an objective manner. He said, if seen from the Indonesian perspective, the price would appear too high in comparison with the low earning power of most citizens. But, he insists that foreign visitors have the buying power to afford the new admission price at the Borobudur complex.

Tourism industry members in Yogyakarta have objected to the US$20 admission fee, concerned that foreign visitors will be dissuaded from visiting the site.

Meanwhile, domestic visitors now pay Rp. 142,000 (US$14.20) to visit the Candi Borobudur.

Sapta asked the tourism industry share the information with their guests on the new admission fee, certain that there will be little negative feedback from tourist visitors. At the same time, Sapta called on the Complex’s management to improve cleanliness at the Park and bring the disorganized traders surrounding the park into line.

The chief of police for Bali, Inspector General Arif Wachyunadi, has invited the public in Bali to work together with the police in maintaining peace and order on the Island.

Quoted by Kompas.com, General Wachyunadi told those attending a dialog on Friday, January 18, 2013 held between the police and village leaders at Pura Petitenget: “The problem of security is a shared responsibility.”

Arif said that security is very important to Bali as an international tourism destination. Reminding that the number of foreign tourists who visited Bali in 2012 exceeded 3 million.

The three star general in charge of the Bali police invited the people of Bali to “become policemen” and secure peace and security, beginning from their personal behavior and including their surrounding community. Adding: “The public can also supervise the police, scold the police and correct the police in order that the police do their job properly.”
 

The large waves that hit Bali’s eastern shore at Gianyar have wreaked havoc on parts of the shoreline and dredging up a dark page in Bali’s history. The Cucukan Beach front at Medahan Village, Blahbatuh yielded up a number of human skeletons when waves eroded the shoreline on Monday, January 14, 2013.

According to Bali Post, the strong wave hitting the shore reopened mass graves of those executed during the violence following the 30 September Movement (Gestapu) of 1965.

The bones scattered along the beach also yielded up a wristwatch, thought to belong to one of the dead.

Based on reports for local villagers, the area where the bones were found was used for the execution of suspected Communist Party Members in 1965.

Many of the graves are located in an area just west of a private villa owned by former president Megawati Soekarnoputri. One villager estimated there were some 200 unmarked graves located in this area.

Some 20 meters to east of the mass graves, another body wrapped in burial shroud was revealed by the waves. Ida Bagus Arka, the chief of the Cucukan Village, said that the area was also used for the burial of unidentified victims of crime. The body uncovered was buried in 1997 was that of a 19-year-old man brought there by police and hospital workers for burial.

The bones uncovered by the waves will now be gathered and burnt with the ashes to be eventually committed to the seas in accordance with Balinese tradition.

Related Article

[Fallen, But Not Forgotten]
 

Bali Daily (The Jakarta Post) reports that the ongoing massive upgrade of Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport has done nothing to dissuade arriving passengers in record numbers from flowing through the construction site in 2012.

Angkasa Pura I counted 113,562 incoming and outgoing domestic and international flights in 2012. This are 9,000 more flights than the 103,771 recorded in 2011.
 
The flights coming and going from Bali in 2012 carried 14.17 million passengers, an increase of 1.4 million than the 12.77 million uplifted in 2011.

A total of 40,804 international flights carried 6.47 million passengers with 7.7 million domestic passengers carried on 72,758 flights.

Extrapolated, this means 56% of all arrivals to Bali come on domestic flights with the remaining 46% traveling internationally.

Behind the scenes, 147.47 million kilograms of luggage passed through the airport in 2012, that's 6.7% more than in 2011.

Cargo shipments totaled 70.32 million kilograms in 2012.

The current  US$207 million airport renovation has been undertaken as a showcase project in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit to be held in October 2013. Once completed, the airport will be able to handle 20 million passengers each year. If traffic expands at 10% per year, as projected by the Ministry of Transportation, the total carrying capacity of the new airport will be exceeded as early as 2015 or 2017.

Bisnis Indonesia reports that the Bali regency of Badung would “begin” limiting licenses and control the development of accommodation in South Bali in order to secure the island’s security, maintain occupancy levels, defend the destination’s reputation and guard mobility.

Cokorda Raka Darmawan, the head of the Badung Tourism Office, said that the brakes are now being applied on new requests for accommodation projects in the Badung regency.

“The development of all types of accommodation in this area (South Bali) has become too numerous, requiring control and limits to make the area more attractive for visitors,” said Darmawan on Tuesday, January 1, 2013.

The Badung Tourism Office counts 44,472 rooms comprised of 16,360 starred hotel rooms, 22,864 “melati-class” hotels, 3,013 "pondok wisata" and 2,235 condotels.

Raka Darmawan estimates there were 2.8 million foreign visitors in 2012, supplemented by around 5.4 million domestic visitor for a total head count of 8.6 million visitors.

He was quick to add, that not all visitors stay in Badung. “Only around 65% of tourists stay in Badung with the remainder choosing other regencies. On the average, visitors stay for three days,” explained Raka Darmawan.

Darmawan hopes that by limiting accommodation projects the number of foreign tourists staying in Badung will increase further, assisted by repairs on the infrastructure such as the airport, underpass and more flights to Bali.

“If everything is running, then in 2014 the number of foreign tourists can increase. But if the infrastructure and facilities are not operating, the quality of the destination will be lost. We need strong promotion,” said Raka Darmawan. 

A survey conducted by the Kerti Praja Foundation shows that 80,000 men pay for commercial sex services each year in Bali.

As reported by Beritabali.com, these commercial sex customers emanate from every socio-economic strata purchasing services from 3,000 commercial sex workers.

The chairman of the Kerti Praja Foundation, Dr. Dewa Nyoman Wirawan, told the press on Saturday, January 19, 2013, that the large number of commercial sex customers in Bali complicates efforts to control the spread of HIV/AIDS where an estimated 20% of the Island’s 3,000 commercial sex workers are infected with the disease.

Dr.Wirawan said the high demand for commercial sex and local laws make fighting HIV/AIDS in Bali problematic. He points to Thailand where an educational media campaign by the government has reduced the number of commercial sex workers.

Wirawan said that by calculating a 1% probability of infection, Bali will see 1,050 new cases of HIV infection among a commercial sex customer base where only 30% are believed to use condoms.

Meanwhile the Bali Commission for the Control of AIDS (KPA-Bali) estimates there are 6,971 cases of HIV/AIDS in Bali. From that total, KPA-Bali says 75.8% resulted from heterosexual contact with 40.5% affecting young people between the ages of 20-29.

The Bali provincial administration will soon be charging a Rp. 1 million (US$100) monthly fee when extending working permits for  expatriate workers in Bali. To be charged on a yearly basis (US$1,200), the fee will apparently be paid in addition to another US$1,200 fee already charged as a contribution to a training fund by the department of Manpower when renewing work permits each year.

According to Bali Daily (The Jakarta Post), the province of Bali has written a by-law providing for the new fee. Similar to the current fee, authorities claim the funds will be used for the training of local workers.

The Manpower and Transmigration Office counts approximately 1,700 official registered foreign workers in Bali, arguably a small fraction of the large number of foreigners working illegally on the island.

Provincial authorities would net US$ 2 million each if the current total number of foreign workers paid the new fee.

The head of Bali’s Manpower and Transmigration Office, I Wayan Suasta, said his office had no data on illegal workers in Bali, acknowledging that tighter monitoring of illegal workers was needed. “Later, we will tighten our monitoring of foreign workers. Because if they work here without a permit it will harm local workers,” he said.

The new law providing for the US$100 monthly training fee must be submitted to the Bali Legislative Council in March.

The St. Regis Bali has created an exclusive experience for wine connoisseurs via seven-course dinner carefully crafted by their Chef de Cuisine Agung Gede paired with elegant wines from Château Pontet-Canet vineyards.

Mélanie Tesseron, the owner of Château Pontet-Canet together with the St. Regis’ chief sommelier Harald Wiesmann, will guide the privileged diners in attendance on Friday, February 8, 2013, through seven carefully paired wines selected to accompany a most memorable menu.

The evening commences with a cocktail and canapé reception at Kayuputi Champagne Bar at 7:00 pm followed by dinner at 7:30 at Kayuputi Restaurant.


Château Pontet-Canet

Château Pontet-Canet is located in the heart of the Pauillac appellation, just south of Châteaux Mouton Rothschild and d’Armailhac. The 80-hectares (200 acres) estate is predominately planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, the signature variety for the great wines of Pauillac. The château’s winegrowing philosophy is to intervene as little as possible and as naturally as possible in the vineyard. Only traditional viticulture and cultivation practices are used to the vine’s long-term health.

Pontet-Canet has always been a legendary Médoc. It is deep ruby-red, crimson, and sometimes almost black color and has a characteristic bouquet of black fruit. Pontet-Canet combines power and elegance, as well as concentration and fullness on the palate. Rather sinewy in style, Pontet-Canet is clearly a classical wine with a tannic structure that provides excellent ageing potential.

Over two centuries, three different families have owned Pontet-Canet. Today Alfred Tesseron with his niece Mélanie Tesseron runs it.

WINE DINNER MENU
Friday, February 8, 2013
St. Regis Bali – Kayuputi Restaurant

Homemade pork terrine
with carpaccio of braised fig and Pommery mustard coulis

Château Pontet-Canet 5ème Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2008
+ + + +
Tartar of yellow-fin tuna
warm escargot vinaigrette, shaved bottarga, micro beetroot and beetroot wine espuma

Château Pontet-Canet 5ème Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2008
+ + + +
Butter poached spiny lobster tail
with rabbit ragout, celeriac mousseline and thyme-parmesan foam

Château Pontet-Canet 5ème Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2007
+ + + +
Composition of duck
slow roasted magret of duck, tendered confit of duck leg, pan seared duck foie gras, baked French shallot and myrtilles infused meat reduction

Château Pontet-Canet 5ème Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2003
+ + + +
Tajima Wagyu Beef fillet - medium rare
served with slow braised short ribs, parsnip purée, wild mushroom, Bordelaise meat jus and shaved black truffle

Château Pontet-Canet 5ème Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2001
+ + + +
Chef’s selection of matured French cheeses
served with walnut bread and red grape compote

Château Pontet-Canet 5ème Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2000
+ + + +
Pliable liquorice jelly
Abinao Valrhona cream, pecan nougatine, blackcurrant espuma, pear and walnut ice cream

Château Pontet-Canet 5ème Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France 1996
+ + + +
Coffee or tea
Mignardises

Price and Reservations

Seating is limited and reservations are essential for this unique dining experience at the St. Regis Bali Resort.

Dinner, including wines, costs Rp. 1.500.000 net per person (US$150).

For reservations, please call +62-(0)361 300 6786 or [Email Kayuputi] 

[St. Regis Bali Resort]
 

Kompas.com reports that the tourism industry is worried with a number of accommodation providers recording occupancy levels of less than 60%.

This drop in occupancy comes in a year when record 2.8 million foreign tourists and 5 million domestic tourists came to Bali.

And while Bali once hosted tourists who stayed for seven days or longer, visitors now stay an average of only 3 days.

Given this circumstance, tourism professionals are calling on the government to undertake aggressive promotion in countries outside Asia.

The chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Cokorda Ardhana Sukawati, said: “Bali is famous in every corner of the world. But Bali needs tourists who come from every corner of the world. Bali needs promotion.”

Cokorda, also known as “Coke Ace,” lamented that the province of Bali has been unresponsive to calls to form a Provincial Tourism Promotion Board (BPPD). He insists that such an organization is needed in every instance to promote tourism.

The Bali branch of Indonesian Association of Tourism (GIPI), Ngurah Wijaya, admits he is surprised with the continuing delay in the establishment of a provincial tourism board in Bali.

Wijaya told the press how he had submitted in March 2012 a number of names as individuals suitable to lead BPPD-Bali.

Over the past five year, the promotional budget for the Bali Tourism Office has been reduced from Rp. 3 billion (US$300,000) to Rp. 1.2 billion (US$120,000). The government’s argument is that Bali is well known internationally, requiring little additional promotion.

The lack of a formal tourism board also means Bali has yet to scientifically investigate the underlying reasons for the decline in occupancy levels at Bali hotel.

Bill Barnet, the Managing Director of Phuket-based C9 Hotelworks and a panelist at the [Indonesia Hotel Investment Conference]  to be held in Bali on February 1, 2012, has published an analysis of Bali tourism accommodation in cooperation with Horwarth HTL.

According to Barnet, Bali's tourism market is defying gravity despite a looming pipeline of over 12,000 new hotel rooms. According to the Horwath HTL and C9 Hotelworks study, the market-wide occupancy edged close to 70% with an overall average room rate of USD137 for the first half of 2012.

Worldwide attention is set to turn to the island in October of this year as it prepares to host APEC 2013. A USD200 million upgrade of the gateway airport will see capacity rise to 25 million passengers (sic) a year, with other key and much needed infrastructure upgrades including a new toll road and an underpass on a key transport route.

"Australia continues to be one of the key drivers of demand," said C9 Hotelworks' Managing Director Bill Barnett, "but the market is seeing a defined shift to short and medium-haul regional markets.

China is playing a far larger part in the mix, while the traditional Japanese market has eroded. We expect rising volume from Malaysia to surpass that of Japan." 



Weighing in on concerns of overdevelopment, Horwath HTL Director Rio Kondo said: "The strong performance of Bali hotels is likely to continue with the new airport and infrastructure improvements despite new supply. It is likely that the impressive new stable of strong international brands opening in the ramp up to APEC will induce new demand into the destination."

The surging tourism market has dragged along Bali's real estate sector, which has moved into top gear with large, listed Indonesian firms and high-net worth individuals creating a land buying frenzy on the southern part of the island. 


One key benefactor that is highlighted in the report is a spike upwards in hotel branded villa and condohotel offerings. Analyzing the trend, Barnett was quick to point out "that unlike Thailand's established Phuket and Koh Samui resort real estate offerings, Bali has been inundated by domestic demand. Both investment and end users primarily from Jakarta and Surabaya have been buying off plan units in the US$80,000 to US$150,000 range."

Summing up Bali's tourism prospects going forward Barnett added: "It is apparent that the jolt which occurred during the global financial crisis in 2008 has significantly altered the tourism sector. Asia's rising middle class, the explosive growth of low-cost airline carriers and the decline of legacy markets all point to an increasing dependence on mass tourism."

"Every Asian resort destination is facing a similar dilemma," said Barnett. "Private sector investment is outpacing public sector infrastructure and the cracks are showing. Like it or not Bali's evolving hotel market is set to evolve dramatically as we head towards the landmark APEC (ASEAN Economic Community) free trade initiative in 2015." 


Hear Barnet, Rio Kondo and a host of other leading experts in hotel investment at the [Indonesian Hotel Investment Conference]  to be held at the Sheraton Kuta Resort on Friday, February 1, 2013.

Authoritative speakers on issues affecting hotel investment and networking opportunities form the agenda for the Conference with special discounts available to Bali Hotels Association, Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) and American Chamber of Commerce members.

The Fremantle to Bali Yacht Race and Rally 2013 – otherwise known as the Race to the Island of the Gods – gets underway on May 4, 2013.

A number of elite sailors, including veteran helmsmen Paul Eldrid, are expected to participate. Eldrid has chalked up a number of impressive sailing wins in a long sailing career including a world championship won in a sailing dinghy in Ireland as a youth.

Eldrid will sail “General Lee” – a yacht he owns with fellow yachtsman, Scott Disley. Also expected to join what could be a closely-contested open ocean race are Tony Mitchell’s “Sled” and Garry McNally’s “Black Betty.”

Paul Eldrid was also a helmsman on Alan Brierty’s "Limit" that broke the course record in taking line honors in the last race, two years ago. That result displaced the previous record had been set in the inaugural race by W.A. sailing legend Rolly Tasker.

The Fremantle to Bali Race – also known as the “Beautiful Indonesia Fremantle to Bali Yacht Race" is organized by Fremantle Sailing Club in partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.

The event was first run in 1981, and at 1,440 nautical miles long, is more than twice the distance of the famous Sydney to Hobart Race.

[Beautiful Indonesia Fremantle to Bali Yacht Race]

With less than six months to go before the annual swim-bike-run race in the island of the Gods, BIZNET Bali International Triathlon welcomes two of the biggest names in the international triathlon stage and Indonesia sports history.

Three-time Ironman champion and 2009 World Championship runner-up, Chris Lieto, has confirmed his participation at the upcoming BIZNET Bali International Triathlon 2013. An American pro-triathlete, Lieto is also the founder of More than Sport, an organization for ambassador athletes contributing back to the communities in which they race.

In 2013, through partnership with BIZNET Bali International Triathlon, Lieto and More than Sport will work together with the Bali Sports Foundation to benefit less privileged children in Bali, Papua and Eastern Indonesia. "Bali Sports Foundation is honored to join a worldwide sports charity such as ‘More than Sports’ and the BIZNET Bali International Triathlon team in helping young Indonesians with disabilities achieve their dreams through sport.” said Rodney Holt, founder of Bali Sports Foundation.

Another celebrity athlete rejoining the race for the 7th year is Indonesian swimming legend, Richard Sam Bera. Bera, a three-time Olympian, four-time All-American at Arizona State University and editor-in-chief for a leading men’s lifestyle magazine, has confirmed his participation to be in BIZNET Bali International Triathlon on June 23.

Bera’s love for the sport of triathlon traces back to his competitive swimming days, but was only able to focus on racing triathlons at his retirement. Richard Sam Bera has now competed in several triathlon races in the region, including several of long distance triathlons. A great ambassador for the sport in Indonesia, he has contributed to the growing popularity of triathlon in the Country.

Bera will be joined by the next generation of Indonesian triathletes in Bali. Familiar names in Indonesia’s multi-sport race circuit, such as Kadri Regar, M. Taufik and Oki Rohmat are expected at next BIZNET Bali International Triathlon race.

The 2012 BIZNET Bali International Triathlon Indonesian male champion, Andy Wibowo, will also return to defend his title. Wibowo started his career as Indonesian national swimmer and won several international competitions.

Online registration for the race is open and special accommodation offers are also available for limited time.

For more information, please visit [www.balitriathlon.com] or [Email] .

For media inquiries, please [Email Onggo] .

Indonesian Airline Batavia Air has cancelled 80 scheduled direct flights from Bali to Hangzhou, China.

News reports in the Indonesian National News Agency Antara and a confirmation by a representative of Batavia Air in Hangzhou have confirmed the cancellations that will disrupt the travel plans of thousands of passengers already holding confirmed tickets on the proposed new flight service.

Flights have been cancelled through February 4, 2013, with further announcements expected in the interim.

Batavia Air has had an established schedule between Jakarta and Guangzhou. In January 2012, Batavia Air formally applied for permission to open a new route between Bali and Hangzhou to the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation.

The Commercial Director of Batavia Air, Sukirno Sukrana, told the press that his company has yet to receive a formal response to their application to fly the new route with Airbus A320-200 aircraft configured with 220 economy seats.

Meanwhile, representatives for the Indonesia Ministry of Transportation say the blame for the delay in responding to Batavia Air’s permit request rests with the Chinese government.

Djoko Murjatmodjo, spokesman for the Ministry of Transportation, said: “Based on the explanation received (from the Chinese government), there are several documents which must still be submitted by Batavia Air."

Batavia Air’s plans are to fly three times each week between Bali and Hangzhou.

The 2nd Bali Wine Auction was held on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at the St. Regis Resort Bali’s Astor Ballroom.

The afternoon commenced with a one-hour “brown bag” wine tasting of 6 wines served in the Ballroom’s foyer area accompanied by a tapas offering and live music presented by the resort’s resident pianist.
ion that commenced at 4:00 pm, saw 27 lots of wine and wine experiences auctioned off with proceeds from the event going to a special fund administered by the Bali Hotel Association (BHA) for the wine education of young hospitality workers in Bali.

Lotus Food Service - Bali’s leading purveyor of fine food and wines to the Island’s hotel and restaurant industry, sponsored the event. Additional support was provided by the St. Regis Resort Bali, Indo Wines, Artisan Estate, Amanresorts Indonesia, Zwiesel Glassware, Mozaic Beach Club, Mozaic Restaurant, Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Nikko Bali Resort and Spa, Four Seasons Hotel and Resort, Sheraton Bali Resort and The Oberoi Bali.
onal event management was provided by Bali Discovery Events.

Shown on Balidiscovery.com are snapshots taken at the 2nd Bali Wine Auction.

[Bali Wine Auction Website] 
 

A select group of governors and members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (Amcham-Indonesia) will be in attendance from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 31, 2013,  at a venue in Jimbaran to welcome American expatriates working in Bali and all Island-based business people interested in forming closer connections to the American market place.

A relaxed afternoon of networking with American beer, wine and food items sponsored by Lotus Food Service is planned with AMCHAM officials on hand to explain the long-established program of pro-active business initiatives operated by AMCHAM in Indonesia.
ce at the cocktail gathering is without charge and open to American businesses and any member of Bali’s business community seeking closer ties with the American market.

Those interested in receiving an invitation to this event should [Email]  .

Location details will be sent prior to the event.