BALI **the island of Gods*** thread [Archive]

David-80

June 22nd, 2004, 10:29 AM

Bvlgari Hotel to Operate Soon
Wed June 16, 2004

JAKARTA (Bisnis): PT Mugi Rekso Abadi (MRA) is going to operate Bvlgari Hotel in Bali at the end of 2005 and targets the occupancy rate at 40% in the first year.

"We estimate the occupancy rate to reach 40% in the first year and 65% at most in the fifth year," said Soetikno Soedarjo, managing director of MRA, to Bisnis recently.

He was optimistic the outlook of the hotel would be bright. "Bali is the most visited tourism island in Indonesia. Furthermore, Bvlgari Hotel is the second hotel only after Milan."

Bvlgari Hotel is a five-star hotel whose development involves local and foreign investors. The hotel is a franchise of Bvlgari SpA, Italy.

The hotel includes 58 villas, a spa, two restaurants, and other facilities. Soetikno predicted the hotel would reach its BEP (break event point) by the sixth year.

Carla Parengkuan, Executive Director of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI), said there would be two more five-star hotels operating in Indonesia by 2005, which were Bvlgari hotle in Bali and The Ritz-Carlton in Jakarta.

The post-2002 bombing Bali's tourism potential, she added, recently improved from less than 1,000 people per day to 4,000. Before the bombing, the volume of the tourists could reach 5,500 tourists a day.

She believed the recent sluggish rupiah and the presidential election would not significantly affect the outlook of the tourism and hotel business. (ltc)
__________________

sanhen

June 22nd, 2004, 04:31 PM

Eh,
I remembered reading about a Garuda something something statue in Bali that suppose to be really2 big and high.
It is not finished yet right?
Any pics?

JAG2

June 22nd, 2004, 05:29 PM

Eh,
I remembered reading about a Garuda something something statue in Bali that suppose to be really2 big and high.
It is not finished yet right?
Any pics?

I think you mean the GWK Garuda WisnU Kencana cultural Park.
Costing US$ 42million and composed of 2500 tons of stainless steel covered in moulded copper at a height of 146 metres

Mahaputra

June 22nd, 2004, 06:49 PM

is it done?

tata

June 22nd, 2004, 07:06 PM

nop. bali provincial government ain't got no money...

Mahaputra

June 23rd, 2004, 08:19 AM

aiyoh... same old story all the time.. lack of funding.. ehehe

Alvin

July 26th, 2004, 07:21 PM

Review - Private Enterprise: Bali World’s Best
July 25, 2004 11:45 PM,

Laksamana.Net - Bali has won the US-based Travel + Leisure magazine’s World's Best Island Award for the third consecutive year.

Thousands of readers voted in the poll published in the magazine’s July 27 edition, reported Antara.

Other categories included best hotel, city, tour operator and safari outfitter, airline, cruise liner and car-rental agency.

The www.travelandleisure.com website said that Bali collected the highest points based on evaluations of its natural attractions, restaurants and food, people, value, hotel services, transportation and the overall tourism package.

Indonesian consul general in New York, Kristio Wahyono, is expected to receive the award on July 29 at a ceremony in the city's Per Se restaurant, reported The Jakarta Post.

The island's Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort & Spa also won the award for the World's Best Hotel for $250 or less.

Wahyono said the award confirmed that Bali had bounced back as one of the world's top tourist destinations following the bombing two years ago that killed over 200 people, mainly foreign tourists.

Other winners included Singapore Airlines and Sydney as the world's best airline and city, respectively.

David-80

September 15th, 2004, 03:59 PM

Kunjungan Warga Australia di Bali tak Berubah

Menbudpar I Gede Ardika menuturkan kunjungan warga Australia di Bali tidak mengalami perubahan yang signifikan meski terjadi peledakan bom di kawasan Kuningan, Jakarta.

"Sebelumn ada ledakan, warga negara Australia di Bali sekitar 900 orang per hari. Setelah ledakan bom, dari pantauan kami pada 10-11 September warga Australia yang berada di Bali mencapai 1.200 orang per hari," ujarnya di Istan Wapres hari ini

Menurut dia, kebijakan travel warning oleh Australia merupakan kewajiban setiap pemerintah untuk mengingatkan warga negaranya. Namun hal itu tetap tergantun pada warga negaranya sendiri apakah akan tetap datang atau tidak.

Sumber: Bisnis Indonesia

Alvin

September 15th, 2004, 05:15 PM

I personally do know someone who's cancelled her planned visit to Bali at the end of the year...it may not hit now, but it will certainly affect the numbers in the coming holiday season..

Mahaputra

September 16th, 2004, 02:58 AM

yeah... this travel warning sucks..
thanks to the bombing, my girlfriend is not coming to Jakarta and Bali anymore at the end of the year...

kikitielman

September 16th, 2004, 04:31 AM

yeah... this travel warning sucks..
thanks to the bombing, my girlfriend is not coming to Jakarta and Bali anymore at the end of the year...

do you know that travel insurance companies won't accept any claim for bali and indonesia, though they say they cover it, but one of their article obvious quted that they won't accept any claim for countries that listed in the "to defer non essential traveliing country" in the government websites???

passion4architecture

September 16th, 2004, 05:06 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/passion4architecture/Swiss-BelhotelBayView_BaliCentury21CsblncaLogo.bmp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/passion4architecture/Swiss-BelhotelBayView_BaliCentury21CsblncaMainBldg.bmp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/passion4architecture/Swiss-BelhotelBayView_BaliCentury21Csblnca.bmp
Hotel Entrance
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/passion4architecture/Swiss-BelhotelBayView_BaliCentury21CsblncaLobbyLounge.bmp
Lobby & Lounge
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/passion4architecture/Swiss-BelhotelBayView_BaliCentury21CsblncaPool.bmp
Pool
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/passion4architecture/Swiss-BelhotelBayView_BaliCentury21CsblncaBR.bmp
Bedroom
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/passion4architecture/Swiss-BelhotelBayView_BaliCentury21CsblncaKitchen.bmp
Kitchen

David-80

September 16th, 2004, 01:13 PM

I personally do know someone who's cancelled her planned visit to Bali at the end of the year...it may not hit now, but it will certainly affect the numbers in the coming holiday season

Lets hope it wont be mass cancelation, I read on www.baliforum.com and all the australian and many more from europe/States already confirm with their plan to go Bali. well baliforum is a forum for bali lovers, of course they wont deter their trip but hope the best for Bali and Indonesia in particular.

cheers

Alvin

October 8th, 2004, 02:37 AM

Bali tops holiday destination list
JAKARTA: Indonesia's resort island of Bali has been chosen as the most favorite holiday destination in Asia for four consecutive years, a survey by international magazine TIME has disclosed.

The 2004 TIME Readers' Travel Choice, which drew almost 2,500 responses from its readers in Asia, also named Singapore as the most favorite business city, Singapore Airlines as the most favorite airline, and Changi as the most favorite airport in the region.

TIME Asia associate publisher Ivy Choi said the results highlighted the appreciation toward Asia's brands in the travel sector.

Also in the list were Shangri-La hotels as the preferred hotel chain and Visa as the preferred credit card. --JP

Medan01

October 8th, 2004, 02:44 PM

Bali is again the best island in terms of everything...not just the beach but the mountain view, the paddy field, the culture, the people, the art, the way of life, and how everything just seems to exist as 1 big gift from God to the earth.... and nothing is plastic in Bali.......

If we can just make our other tourist destination as wonderful as Bali, then we will probably be one of the very top destined countries in the world. :)

Dilaz89

October 12th, 2004, 04:17 PM

bali is a awesome place! its very sad about what happend in 2002. My mum will be going in november for a week(can't wait for all the dvd's/ps2 games):D and my uncle visits visits the place once a month (his best mate owns BIMC)

sanhen

October 12th, 2004, 04:26 PM

mate.. bali is expensive for dvd and ps2 games..
go to Jakarta for shopping.. you will not be disappointed!
but please do talk with us first.. so we can tell you how to get around in Jakarta :)

Alvin

October 17th, 2004, 03:12 AM

Foreign and local tourists flock back to Bali island
Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

The number of foreign tourists visiting Bali has continued to increase over the past few months, thanks to the improved security situation.

The deadly terrorist attack that hit the resort island in October, 2002, scared away not only foreign tourists, but also local visitors.

The number of foreign tourists started to increase in January this year, and continued to rise in the following months.

"We see some light at the end of the tunnel. We are now starting to receive more booking and inquiries from travel agents around the world, who had previously excluded Bali as a major destination for their clients," explained I Gede Adhita, Sanur Beach Hotel's marketing and communications manager.

Soon after the Bali bombings, travel agents from Europe and the United States, particularly, excluded Bali as a prime holiday destination.

"Things are getting better. With a conducive political and security condition, we expect that the hotel and tourist industry in Bali, and other parts of Indonesia, will enter its recovering period smoothly," he said.

Regardless of the security condition over the last two years, Bali is still regarded as one of the world's favorite destinations, as stated by a recent survey conducted by Time Asia.

It is encouraging to see European and American travelers returning to Bali.

Although Japan, Australia and Taiwan still dominate Bali's tourism market, tourists from other countries, including from Southeast Asia -- such as Singapore and Malaysia -- have begun to flock back to Bali.

The tragedy dramatically changed the island's tourist industry, which had focused on the traditional market, like Europe, the United States, Australia and Japan.

In recent years, the market shifted to regional countries, as well as the new emerging market, including Russia, China, the Middle East and South America. The domestic market, which was previously ignored by many star-rated hotels on the island, also became a target of campaigns to promote Bali.

Renata Hutasoit, director of business development at the Grand Hyatt in Nusa Dua Bali, said that the number of local guests continued to increase.

"We received more guests from Jakarta, Surabaya and other big cities in Indonesia, in addition to our overseas clientele," said Renata.

She said the Grand Hyatt was increasingly receiving bookings for corporate meetings (MICE). "Even after the bombing in Kuningan, Jakarta, we still get inquires from overseas tour groups," she said.

Similarly, The Westin Resort, also in Nusa Dua, experienced better business this year. Today (Sunday), the Westin is hosting more than 800 employees of Japan-based Teraoka Seisakusho, Co.Ltd., as part of the company's 70th anniversary celebrations.

The strengthening of the hotel industry here is evident in the surge in occupancy rates over the past nine months. The majority of star-rated hotels in Kuta, Nusa Dua, Ubud, Sanur areas reported an occupancy rate of between 60 percent to 90 percent since last June, as compared to 30 percent to 60 percent in the same period of last year.

Wiwin Ong, director of sales and marketing at Hotel Padma Bali in Kuta, said that the hotel's occupancy rate was now more than 90 percent. "We anticipated the flood of customers, especially domestic clientele in the coming Idul Fitri holiday and year-end holiday," she said.

Deddy Sasmita, marketing and communications manager at the Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta, shared this optimism. "Hotels in Kuta are usually fully booked in the holiday season. Hard Rock Hotel is popular with young executives as well as families who are young at heart," he said.

Visitors to Bali have plenty of choices when it comes to hotels. The island provides abundant accommodation to suit everyone, from backpackers to wealthier tourists. Kuta is the best place for those looking for nightlife, while Nusa Dua and Jimbaran areas are good choices for honeymooners.

Tanjung Benoa now has a number of luxury hotels, like The Conrad Bali. "We have been doing tremendous business since the opening of the hotel early this year. Our average occupancy rate reaches 80 percent, but we are still offering interesting packages for Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year holidays," said Anastasia Lijadi, director of communications at The Conrad.

In addition to these favorite spots, Ubud is a must-see place in Bali, particularly for art lovers.

Ririn Setyowati, executive secretary of Alila Ubud in Payangan, Gianyar said business had been steady in 2004.

"We mostly serve European guests and only a few domestic ones," she added.

Hoteliers in Bali are confident that tourists are no longer afraid to mark the island as the top location on their travel itineraries.

SeeMacau

October 25th, 2004, 03:42 PM

Bali Webcam
http://www.poppies.net/webcam.jpg

tata

February 21st, 2005, 03:49 PM

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/7867/ogoh6ib.jpg

FESTIVE MOOD: A group of Balinese take part in a traditional ogoh-ogoh deity festival commemorating the 13th anniversary of the Municipality of Denpasar. The two-day festival will last until Monday, Feb. 21. (JP/Murdani Usman)

Sielo

March 1st, 2005, 09:13 AM

Bali is one of the top topless beaches 2005
Source : MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6822385/)

• Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Black's Beach, San Diego, Calif.
• Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia
• South Beach, Miami, Fla.
• Anse du Gouverneur, St. Barts, French West Indies
• Plage de Tahiti, Saint Tropez, France
• Paradise Beach, Mykonos, Greece
• Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
• Playa d'en Bossa, Ibiza, Spain
• Playa El Agua, Margarita Island, Venezuela

waustralia

March 10th, 2005, 12:55 PM

Going to Bali in June! Cant wait. This is my 3rd time, next year will be my 4th, then the next year will be my 5th... Nothing will keep me away!

sanhen

March 10th, 2005, 01:48 PM

Just wondering.. how do you get yourself around in Bali?
You just get stuck in Denpasar or...

Medan01

March 10th, 2005, 02:18 PM

Just wondering.. how do you get yourself around in Bali?
You just get stuck in Denpasar or...

Or you go to Ubud, Kuta, Sanur, Candi Dasa, Nusa Penida, Kerobokan, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, an on and on.....

I don't think you go to Bali for Denpasar...

hiring a car is the best way to drive around the island. :)

Medan01

March 10th, 2005, 02:19 PM

Going to Bali in June! Cant wait. This is my 3rd time, next year will be my 4th, then the next year will be my 5th... Nothing will keep me away!

Glad you find your paradise in Bali, mate. It is a truly wonderful island with so much to offer.

Cheers.

sanhen

March 10th, 2005, 02:50 PM

How much you reckon to hire a car in Bali?
Luckily, people drive on the left too in bali, as in Oz.

tata

March 10th, 2005, 04:50 PM

I don't think you go to Bali for Denpasar...

or hiring a motobike can be an alternative...

tata

March 10th, 2005, 05:46 PM

http://img160.exs.cx/img160/4657/bali5ou.jpg

YOUNG BELIEVERS: Two Hindu boys wearing traditional Balinese dress take part in a mass prayer to mark the religious festival of Galungan in the Penataran Agung Purna Pralina Temple in Kelapa Dua, Depok, south of Jakarta. Hindus observed Galungan on Wednesday as a prelude to the Hindu Day of Silence, which falls on Friday. ( JP/P.J. Leo)

Medan01

March 11th, 2005, 11:30 PM

How much you reckon to hire a car in Bali?
Luckily, people drive on the left too in bali, as in Oz.

2 years ago, it was around Rp. 250,000 per day. Don't rent it from the hotel but from the family owned rental shop instead. Bali is quite easy to navigate. So, enjoy.

waustralia

March 12th, 2005, 06:32 PM

OH. Im 14. I go with my family. We uasully go to Kuta/Legian/Sanur. We've stayed in the Nikosoma in Legian twice (which is realy nice hotel), and Ramayana Resort and Spa (Kuta). Last trip we went to Ubud for 3 days, then to Nusa Dua for a week, then to a posh hotel in Jimbaran for 2 days, and finally Legian for the last week.. We have not yet realy explored the island and ventured out to Candi Dasa etc.

We just get around by taxi. Tourist aspect. I've been hiking in the mountains. Which was nice scenery and landscape but so much litter everywere, riding in the moutains, Tanahlot, Cultural Centre (nice view from the restraunt) and Nusa Dua (jet ski, banana boat). Yup! Bali is an awesome place, and they've got the nicest airline Air Paradise. I cant say the same about Garuda, we got delayed twice, 5 hours in total.

Also. *clap, clap* for the goverment/council whatever for starting to fix up the terrible foot paths. They've got a lot to do still, so many holes! OH, and for getting rid of the cheating taxi drivers, and the monkeys on the street. Still hoping they'll stop the men from using the horse's to drag the carriages. The horse's look so sick.

Alvin

March 13th, 2005, 05:25 AM

Went to Bali 2 months ago, costed me Rp 350,000 to hire a 18 months-old Kijang. (price varies according to the car)

And yeah, the footpaths are brilliant now (they are fixing Jakarta's too...is this some sort of national movement? ;)), although it would be nice if they were a bit wider :D

tata

March 13th, 2005, 09:38 AM

Went to Bali 2 months ago, costed me Rp 350,000 to hire a 18 months-old Kijang. (price varies according to the car)

A day? With driver? Anyway, it's considered cheap for Bali though.
In JKT the same car can cost you Rp.225,000 a day with driver.

Fir3blaze

March 13th, 2005, 11:25 AM

I got some complaint from a friend who just went to Bali recently. She said that the taxi drivers there were BAD, as many that she encountered tried to cheat her.

She explained that if the driver didn't turn on the meters, he'd overcharge them, and when the meter was turned on, it'd jump very fast. :bash:

PS: Does anyone have a reliable contact for contract driver in Jakarta? I may have a group of foreign friends coming to Jakarta sometime soon, and it'd be nice if we can hire a car instead of relying on taxis everyday.

David-80

March 13th, 2005, 03:01 PM

waaustralia, you might consider flying with Australian Airlines sometimes in the future, they now served Perth - Denpasar to replace Qantas, as their subsidiary airlines.

edited: Oh i forgot, Australian Airlines also served SIN-DPS so you guys in SIN can try it too.

cheers

sanhen

March 13th, 2005, 03:26 PM

while indonesia might be the worse.. but many taxi drivers in many other country also bad. i found that taxi drivers in sydney is bad. i found some bad one in melbourne too.

but yeah.. in indonesia.. dont trust the argo hehehehe

tata

March 13th, 2005, 05:48 PM

PS: Does anyone have a reliable contact for contract driver in Jakarta? I may have a group of foreign friends coming to Jakarta sometime soon, and it'd be nice if we can hire a car instead of relying on taxis everyday.

I often rent car from Blue Bird group. They are reliable and very good in service. You can rent cars from Soluna, Kijang, Mercedes or Minibus. All rent vehicles come with driver.

Sanhen: you should hire taxi from Bluebird group, been using it for years and have no complain.

Alvin

March 14th, 2005, 12:32 PM

been quiet lately, here's a few photos of a new shopping/eating/entertainment area in Kuta I took recently in BALI:

http://img118.exs.cx/img118/6804/bali0488ku.jpg

http://img118.exs.cx/img118/3275/bali0492bs.jpg

http://img118.exs.cx/img118/3152/bali0508di.jpg

http://img118.exs.cx/img118/5633/bali0510cs.jpg

http://img118.exs.cx/img118/4286/bali0522ag.jpg

Fir3blaze

March 15th, 2005, 06:56 AM

Thanks for the advice tata,

@Alvin: Nice Pics :D

Sielo

March 21st, 2005, 05:55 AM

February Arrivals - A Return to Pre-Bombing Levels
Bali by the Numbers: Encouraging Start to 2005.

(3/21/2005) Direct foreign arrivals for the first two months of 2005 point to a return to arrival numbers reminiscent of those recorded in the periods prior to the October 2002 bombing of a Bali night spot.

February arrivals totaled 100,638 - an increase of 19.38% over February 2004 and the 3rd best February total for tourist arrivals after 2001 and 1999.

Similarly, combined arrivals for January and February 2005 totaled 202,569 - an increase of 7.5% over the aggregate total for the same period one year before. Again, the latest results rank as the 3rd best opening two month to any year, trailing only after 2001 (207,937) and 1999 (207,520).

Sielo

March 21st, 2005, 05:56 AM

Norway Coming Our Way?
Norwegian Ambassador Calls on Bali's Governor and Urges Greater Tourism Ties Between Oslo and Bali.

(3/21/2005) Norway's Ambassador or Indonesia, H.E. Bjorn Blokhus, paid a courtesy call on Bali's Governor on Thursday, March 17, 2005.

Underlining the strong potential for tourism visits by Norwegians to Bali, the Ambassador expressed the hope that direct flight connections between Oslo and Denpasar might someday be established in order to stimulate tourism flows. Norwegians represent a large block of visitors to other Southeast Asian destinations, such as Phuket (Thailand) and Sri Lanka.

In addition to expressing his wish for better air access, the Ambassador applauded current efforts to establish a Bali Crisis Center to handle all nature of civil emergencies. According to the Governor’s office, a Crisis Center is currently being developed on a pilot project basis in Bali with assistance from the French government.

Responding to the call for direct flights, the Governor supported such moves pointing out, however, that air access and air rights are determined by the Central Government in Jakarta.

Sielo

March 26th, 2005, 10:05 PM

Nirwana Golf Club Voted Asia's Best – Again!
Asian Golf Monthly Selects Bali Course as Asia's Very Best for Fifth Consecutive Year.

(3/25/2005) For the fifth consecutive year, Asian Golf Monthly has named Nirwana Bali Golf Club and Le Méridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort among Asia's Best.

This year a panel of 12 regional golf experts named Le Méridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort as the "Best Golf Resort in Asia" and Nirwana Bali Golf Club as "Best Course in Asia."

"We are delighted to have received such prestigious awards and recognition. It is a wonderful testament that the golfing community see our resort as a jewel in Asia," said Dietmar Kielnhofer, General Manager, Le Méridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort.

The 18-hole Greg Norman designed golf course is among Asia's most visually spectacular courses. The 72-par course features holes carved through terraced rice paddies and winding creeks. The site’s natural features are preserved while creating some of golf's most dramatic holes and breathtaking vistas along the shoreline of the Indian Ocean and, in the distance, Bali's fabled Pura Tanah Lot.

The courses 7th hole is particularly challenging, requiring the golfer to hit a middle iron from the cliff side tee across an ocean inlet, to a well-guarded green.

A word to the wise: bring extra balls when you play this hole!

Sielo

April 2nd, 2005, 11:26 AM

The Wedding of the Season
Hollywood Meets Bali-wood as Son of Hollywood Entertainment Mogul Takes Balines Bride and Balinese Artist and Wide Adopt an American Son.

(4/2/2005) On March 20, 2005, Noel Cohen, the Son of Warner Brothers Vice-President Robert Winder, married Buratwangi, daughter of famous Balinese artists, Made Wianta, in a traditional Bali-Hindu ceremony held in Wianta's ancestral village of Apuan, near Tabanan.

The Couple, Noel (31) and Buratwangi (27) met several years ago in Santa Barbara where the young Balinese lady was pursuing a college education and where Cohen is employed as a film festival organizer and entertainment consultant.

In addition to formalizing their marriage in the U.S., the bride and groom also decided to have their union blessed in accordance with Bali-Hindu traditions.

Both a Wedding and an Adoption

The decision to wed in Bali automaticall introduced a number of requirements, including Noel's formal acceptance of the Hindu faith; the requirement for the grooms teeth to be filed flat in accordance with local traditions; in addition to the actual consecration of the wedding by Mangku Teken, a spiritual leaded of the Apuan community.

In what may seem strange to to those unfamiliar with Balinese culture and law, Noel is now by local custom married to his Sister. Because local religious and legal customs followsthe principal of primogeniture which dictates that the eldest son inherits his Father's wealth and because the Wianta's have no male heir, Noel underwent an additional nyentana ceremony giving him the status of a Son and naming him the sole heir in the Wianta household.

Following the completion of numerous rituals and ceremonies in Apuan, the wedding party headed to the south for a more contemporary celebration of the nuptials held at the Ritz Carlton Resort & Spa attended by local dignitaries, family and friends from both Indonesia and the United States.

balidiscovery.com extends its congratulations and best wishes to the bride and grooom; Robert and Mary Winder - the parents of Noel Cohen; and Made Wianta and Ibu Intan Kirana, the parents of Buratwangi and their new Son, Noel.

Sielo

April 24th, 2005, 06:38 PM

Bali by the Numbers: Record-High March Arrivals Close Out a Strong First Quarter.

A record-breaking total of 117,149 direct foreign arrivals for March 2005 closed one of Bali's the best first quarters of tourism arrivals.

Total foreign arrivals for the first three months of 2005 totaled 329,718 - that's 14.8% ahead of the same period just one year ago, a year that managed to close as a record-setter with slightly more than 1.46 million tourists for Bali.

The Numbers at a Glance

Some of the highlights demonstrated by Bali's performance in the first quarter of 2005:

• March 2005 arrivals at 177,149 were 17.35% higher than arrivals for March 2004 (99,826).

• Bali's top four markets continue to be Japan, Australia, Taiwan and South Korea whose combined production of tourist visitors represent 54% of all Bali arrivals.

• Japanese arrivals for March totaled 25,437 – a 21.71% share of the total inbound market, but still 22.4% down from Japanese arrivals for March 2000 and 8.53% down from Japanese arrivals for March 2001.

• Australia's March 2005 arrival numbers scored all-time highs at 21,483, that's 3.53% more than the same month one year before.

• Taiwan, while holding onto its 3rd ranking as a producer of tourists for Bali at 9.249 visitors in March 2005, is a cause for some legitimate concern, dropping 28% from March in 2004 and presenting its worst March arrival performance in more than 6 years.

• South Korean continues to gain strength tallying 7,083 visitors, up a dramatic 78% from March just one year ago.

• The Americas – including U.S.A., Canada and South America - staged a dramatic comeback in March with 9,010 arrivals, increasing 61.7% from the same month in 2004, but still lagging behind numbers achieve in March 2000 and 2001.

• Similarly, Europe's 28,923 arrivals in March 2003 was a 47% improvement from one year ago, but still far behind European arrivals of just 3-4 years ago.

Alvin

April 25th, 2005, 01:51 AM

this is great news! I don't understand why though, I mean..after the tsunami and all..i would expect tourists to stay away from the region...
maybe a lot of them are tourists who origianlly planned to go to Phuket..

Yamauchi

April 25th, 2005, 03:17 AM

Yeah, I think that had some impact. Also, the global economic upswing probably resulted in quite a few people having more money to spend on an overseas trip.

David-80

April 25th, 2005, 04:14 PM

Plus Bali is pretty much cheaper compare that 4 years ago.

cheers

Sielo

April 29th, 2005, 08:24 PM

Bali looking like an investor's haven
By Carolyn Cummins, Commercial Property Editor
April 30, 2005

Bali may have been in the news for some of the wrong reasons recently, but for property players it has become the new haven for development and investment.

Big and smaller players are making the trek to the tropical island to snare some of the available land that is fast disappearing - building resorts, hotels and time-share apartments.

The upmarket Bvlgari chain is developing an enormous mountain-top resort near the village of Pecatu on the southern tip of the Jimbaran Peninsula.

The fashion group has teamed with the Marriott chain to manage the resort, and Bvlgari's website says more properties are in the pipeline.

Other big-brand names are also said to be looking at the area for developments.

There are many Australian companies operating in the region as private developers or hotel managers. Major international resort owners and operators are present also.

The Indonesian tax regime is an attraction, as there is no land or vendor's tax for investors, although Australian citizens must pay the usual tax on profits derived offshore.

Other investors are coming from Asia where the tax regime is far more generous than in Australia.

One of the latest projects is the Apsara Bali, which is being developed by a private Sydney consortium. Apsara's sales and development team and Elite Havens, a real estate agency in Bali, are marketing the resort.

The 20 luxury villas in the resort, which is under construction near Seminyak, will be sold off the plan.

Previous developments in Bali by the consortium include Villa 8 and Villa Kembali. Both are in Seminyak and are regarded as having cutting-edge design.

Architect Ross Franklin has been engaged on the Apsara project.

Land values have doubled in Seminyak in the past two years. The area, now a trendy precinct for restaurants, bars, hotels and private villas, has experienced an increase in its occupancy rate for villas, and achieved an occupancy rate of more than 70 per cent last year.

The Apsara Bali is close to the Oberoi and Legian hotels, as well as the renowned Ku De Ta Restaurant and La Luciola, another restaurant. The resort is just a short distance from a beach with spectacular sunset views.

Stage 1 of the project comprises 12 private villas, each with a private swimming pool and landscaped garden. Chefs will cook meals in the villas or by the pool. Drivers for cars and bus shuttles are to be available at all times for trips to the airport and shopping areas.

For about $250,000, the comparable price of a studio apartment in Sydney which has a low net return of 2-3 per cent a year, an investor can own a luxury villa in Bali, with a private swimming pool and five-star, 24-hour room service, with expected net returns of more than 10 per cent. It can be used by the investor, or their friends, for a holiday.

Four villas have already been sold, with the remainder expected to sell rapidly.

"This is a great alternative for a purchaser who is considering their next property play," said Greg Magree, a member of the Apsara sales team. "This property investment offers the astute investor the opportunity to diversify their commercial and residential portfolios.

"The Bali property market is booming and Bali outweighs all other investments in the Asia-Pacific Rim, with extremely high returns and high occupancy rates."

More visitors arrived in Bali last year than in the previous year. It attracted 1,458,309 people - a figure 3.2 per cent higher than the previous record for visitor numbers set in 2000.

Bali was voted best island in the world by Conde Nast Reader's Choice Awards last year.

macgyver

April 30th, 2005, 03:21 AM

The govt plan to build Java-Bali bridge ....
Everyone already agree .... except .... Balinese ...
with ... reason of ... Will endanger sosial and culture in Bali .... as It is the social and culture vacation destination ....

What do you think ?
Would brige makes Bali worst ? or on even make it better ?

Alvin

April 30th, 2005, 03:34 AM

I think it'll make it worse..I can understand why the Balinese are opposed to that.

sanhen

April 30th, 2005, 05:11 AM

I agree with Java Bali bridge. But I think Bali right now need a railways. Railways will surely boost tourism access and economy.

arirangboy

April 30th, 2005, 07:31 AM

I think it'll make it worse. I am worried about the possible influx of "ungood" persons from other islands who can come easlily tho this special island and destroy Balinese image related to secutiry threat.

sanhen

April 30th, 2005, 07:38 AM

How about bridges from Bali to Lombok up to West Timor?

waustralia

April 30th, 2005, 09:16 AM

Ungood. I like that fact when I visit Bali its isolation from Indonesia, and the rest of the world for that matter. I also think that it would bring an influx of bad people coming to Bali to take advantage of the tourist, through shady business's, robberys and cons. But I guess it would be good for Bali's economy.

Alvin

April 30th, 2005, 11:21 AM

Yeah, but I don't think newcomers from Java/Madura would be welcomed by the Balinese...particularly after what happened in 2002....

tata

April 30th, 2005, 07:02 PM

It's time for Balinese to realize that they are part of Indonesia. When tourism dropped following Kuta bombing, it is the Indonesian tourists from other provinces who came there first to help their business 'go as usual' before the foriegners come again.
Java-Bali bridge is good for Bali and Indonesia, and for the people as well. Why? it's a simple distribution theory to apply. The faster and the more efficient a commodity can be moved from location A to B, the more competitive they become. Commoditiy can be anything and unfortunately can be drug as well.
Now it is us who decides, how to make this bridge bring good for Bali and Balinese also the rest of Indonesia.

Ciao,
Tata

macgyver

May 1st, 2005, 03:08 AM

It's time for Balinese to realize that they are part of Indonesia. When tourism dropped following Kuta bombing, it is the Indonesian tourists from other provinces who came there first to help their business 'go as usual' before the foriegners come again.
Ciao,
Tata

This is True ....
at that time .. It was the minister of People Welvare ( Jusuf Kalla ) that make/shift national day to friday/monday .... to make " long weekend" policy ....

It worked at that time ..... Balinese should not .... selfish ..... and should realize this .......

If you all like Bali as It is ..... now ....
It means you still want to see Balinese as it is now ........in term of wealth, education, etc.
Where their land is deminishing ...... bought buy foreign investor .....

Balinese should be more developed than that ......

627

May 1st, 2005, 03:49 AM

the idea of this stupid bridge is completely and RIDICULOUSLY preposterous. THis bridge definitely should NOT be built, because if they doi, indonesia will seriously fuck herself over hARDCORE . The balinese are not, by any means selfish, as they only wish to keep their unique culture untainted, and the indonesian government should inturn, respect this. COntrarily, it would only be considered selfish for hte indonesian government to tyranically assimilate the balinese culture into the standard indonesian-muslim-culture, and forever diminish bali's distinctiveness. THe construction of this bridge will definitely trigger an influx of peoples from the other island, which would definitely deteriorate and contaminate Bali's paradise-like atmosphere, whether it'd be environmentally, in terms of litter, graffiti and such, or socially.

Bali is currently, and has been for a very long time, one of the hottest toursit destinations, as it hosts the world's most beautiful beaches, which are in turn, complemented by a vast array of world-class resorts. with that in mind, i do not see how one could argue that bali needs to be more "developed". It is essentialy an island for tourism, and having encompasssed several of the world's TOP hotel chains, amongst which include the upcoming Bvlgari resort, i do not see how it could be more developed in its standards. If you were to argue that it has to be more developed, clearly you are implying that Bali needs to bump it up a notch by developing itself into a dense metropolitan. However, you fail to see that if this does happen, Bali will no longer be a toursit-destination, as it is potentially impossible to support both industry and paradise on that tiny island.

You also might argue that this bridge would yield a much more efficient gateway for other indonesians to venture into bali, thus helpi9ng bali economically. however, this will only benefit bali in the short run, and will be rather detrimental in the long run. People will start inhabiting Bali, buliding slums here and there, to escape the turmoil that exists in other parts of indonesia. this, would thus scar Bali physically, and would deter foreign toursits from visiting it in the future. Furthermore, if people are unable to purchase plane tickets to bali, and can only haul themselves to bali by means of this bridge, their intentions for travelling to bali clearly aren't for vacation's purpo9se. furthermore, if they are not even capable of purchasing their own airfare, what makes you think that they would be able to spend money in bali to yield some significant benefits to bali's economy?

moreover, this bridge will definitely damage Bali's ecosystem, or at least the aqueous part of it. it will contaminate the waters around it, and it would initially disturb, and eventually destroy the coral reefs that stand miles around it.

thus, in conclusion, this bridge should NOT be built. but if it does get built, the balinese should definitely take matters into their own hands by phyhysically tearing it down.

Alvin

May 1st, 2005, 03:53 AM

wow, a strong response there.
But yeah, I'm leaning towards the bridge should not be built, for the reasons you mentioned.

627

May 1st, 2005, 03:59 AM

haha... if i were in indonesia i would definitely stand up to this ridiculous idea. maybe when i grow up n finish school i could go back n attempt to make some changes in indonesia..

May 1st, 2005, 04:16 AM

I'd love to visit Bali, bridge or not. The culture seems amazing and unique.

macgyver

May 1st, 2005, 07:27 AM

Java Bali Bridge, Indonesia

This record breaking super-long hybrid cable stayed suspension bridge with a proposed main span of 2300 metres is the result of a feasibility study and design development work which we are undertaking for the project's developers. Crossing the deep-water channel between the islands of Java and Bali, the bridge presents several major engineering challenges, and will become one of the world's major bridges when completed.

http://www.flintneill.co.uk/projects/bridges/_java-bal.jpg

627

May 1st, 2005, 07:35 AM

so its really gonna happen? the indonesian government is freaking stupid.. they are instigating the downfall of not only bali, but the country as a whole. i hope the balinese bomb the bridge or something after it has been constructed

627

May 1st, 2005, 07:39 AM

are there any protest movements against the construction of this thing?

sanhen

May 1st, 2005, 04:20 PM

macgyver

May 2nd, 2005, 05:39 AM

not yet!
but a lot people disagree.
so expect many protest movement :D :D :D
however i agree to built this bridge. but i am more agree if they use the money to build rail rail infrastructure inside bali island.

He he he .... Comment from a Rail lovers ... :)

Eh ... the Idea is also to straight the power transmission calbe of ( unles I am mistaken ) ... 2000 KVA ..

sanhen

May 2nd, 2005, 05:49 AM

:lol:
every island in Indonesia needs rail hehehe
so far only sumatra and java has. railways in kalimantan is being planned. the old railways in sulawesi and madura has been closed down.

ksunarjo

May 11th, 2005, 07:07 PM

before the bali bombing happened, all people in bali (the outsiders- javanese & maduranese people, including some of balinese people itself) were eager to look after "bule" (white skin) or "ni-hon" (japanese) people than the locals. they seemed local people were 2nd class people because they give small amount of tips compared to the bules or the japs.. but after THE BOMB everything apparently was back to zero again... even after the bomb happened and SARS, they begging all people to use their service e.g massage, dead-locking hair, etc.. in the beach cause simply they need MONEY for living. this things were a shock theraphy to balinese people (incl. outsiders) to not discriminate local people again.

I went to bali couple months after the bomb blast happened, bali.. esp. in kuta-legian area was a DEAD town. they used to be the bussiest area where the tourist came everynight for drinks or just hangout.. but at that time it was a DEAD town.. sad huh...

then i came in 6 months ago.. it wasn't a DEAD town like i was there at that time.. but it wasn't as normal as before the BOMB happened.. the streets were not too crowded but just some people hanging around in the night...

O YEA.. BALI is NOW cheaper than before the bomb blast!

whatever happen..

BALI IS STILL MY UTOPIA...

"100% SPIRIT BALI" - WAYAN SUJA (a balinese artist)

cheers. :cheers:

Sielo

May 17th, 2005, 10:08 AM

Korean Visitors to Bali Now Outnumber Taiwanese.
Korean Visitors Displace Taiwan in Arrival Rankings. Where Have all the Taiwanese Tourists Gone?

(5/14/2005) The authoritative Indonesian Digest published in Jakarta by Ibu Wuryastuti Sunario of TBSC-Strategic Communication in its May 14,2005, edition reports:

"Antara reports that for the first time in five years the number of visitors from Korea has overtaken the Taiwanese, to take third position with 10,072 tourists to Bali during April 2005. This compares to 7,804 tourists from Taiwan in the same month. It is a sharp drop from the normal 16,000 – 18,000 Taiwanese tourists that usually visit Bali per month, said Himron, Official at the Immigration Office of the Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, giving no further explanations for the drop."

"Japanese still hold the number one position with 23,314 visitors, followed by Australia at second place with 20,955 tourists, (third Korea and fourth Taiwan), fifth are Germans with 7,005 arrivals, followed by Malaysia (6,528), Great Britain (6,348), France (4,096), and the Netherlands (3,683)."

"Total direct arrivals to Bali in April 2005 were 116,254, an increase of 4.7% compared to the same month last year, which registered 111,022 direct foreign visitors to the resort island."

Where are the Taiwanese?

Worthy of further investigation by Bali tourism officials are the reasons for the sudden drop in Taiwanese visitors to Bali. During the first four months of 2005 only 35,203 Taiwanese direct arrivals were recorded to Bali, down 35.58% from the 54,648 Taiwanese who came to Bali in the same four months of 2004.

Sielo

May 20th, 2005, 12:04 PM

Visa Launches Visit Bali Program 2005
Discounts Offered on Bali Shopping, Dining, Tours and Spas.

(5/20/2005) In order to stimulate travel to Bali and encourage more spending during a Balinese holiday, Visa International officially kicked off it Visit Bali Program 2005 program on Tuesday, May 17, 2005.

Banners along Bali's roadsides and at places of business across the island are offering discounts worth up to 50% for customers who pay for purchases and services with their Visa card.

Available to all Visa Card holders, the promotion of the program is being targeted at domestic travelers encouraged to purchase tour programs to Bali and, once they arrive on the island, to increase their level of leisure spending.

Participating merchants are displaying large horizontal banners stating the value of discount or additional services offered to those making purchases with Visa Cards.

ksunarjo

May 21st, 2005, 05:14 PM

i have some bali pictures...

enjoy...

http://img201.echo.cx/img201/7861/tarlim2bali3binus10bmeadhy0268.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img171.echo.cx/img171/3995/tarlim2bali3binus10bmeadhy0182.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img282.echo.cx/img282/410/memibirthdaybali1bali2evgio035.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Sielo

June 4th, 2005, 08:40 PM

Meier's Weltreisen Celebrates Bali in Style
Leading German Travel Company Brings its Top 200 Agents to Bali's Intercontinental Resort.

Meier's Weltreisen a division of LTU Touristik brought 200 of its top producing agents to Bali to participate in a seminar on the company's Asia-based products and a tour of the World’s most popular island destination.

An annual event that rotates to various locations in the region each year, this is the first time Meier's has held such an event in Bali where they chose the Bali InterContinental Resort – Bali as the key venue.

An Evening to Remember

Meier's "Far East Live Seminar 2005" was held at the Resort May 16-20, 2005 with the highlight a gala closing dinner held at a special beach-side venue constructed especially for the evening. Nearly 300 participants and guests were delivered in traditional horse carriages from the Resort's Main Entrance to the beach where cocktails and a lavish dinner party were held. Dancers, bands, singers, interactive multi-media presentations and a fireworks presentation rounded out an evening of fine food and wine.

Kevin Keogh, Director of Sales and Marketing for Meier's Welstreisen/DER TOUR/ADAC Reisen in congratulating the InterContinental Resort Bali for creating an unforgettable evening said, "I have been attending sixty events worldwide per annum for a number of years now and this is the best that I have ever experienced in my life."

In recent months arrival numbers from Germany to Bali have shown strong improvement, up 16.4% for the first four months of 2005.

Alvin

June 5th, 2005, 03:25 AM

thanks for the pics, they're nice !

ksunarjo

June 5th, 2005, 05:07 PM

i took them from last holiday in bali..

Alvin

June 18th, 2005, 04:47 PM

Follow the Balinese in preserving traditional arts: Susilo

DENPASAR, Bali (Antara): President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged the people on Saturday to emulate the Balinese in preserving traditional arts in the era of globalization.

The Balinese people have been successful in preserving traditional values without necessarily being hindered in their effort to catch up with the latest technological developments, the President said at the opening of the 27th Bali Arts Festival.

He said that Indonesia, which consisted of many islands and regions, was rich in arts and culture, which were vital to help boost the tourist industry in the country.

The opening of the arts festival was marked by the hitting of Tawa-tawa, a traditional musical instrument, followed by the blowing of trumpets made of shells by seven Balinese men and seven Balinese women wearing traditional attire.

Susilo said that the steady development of the tourist industry, backed by various traditional arts and cultural activities, was expected to enable the country to gain a higher foreign exchange revenue, besides helping create bigger job opportunities.

The Balinese arts festival constituted a great achievement as through such an activity the art and culture continued to flourish in the province, popularly known as an island of thousands of temples, he said. (**)

Sielo

July 4th, 2005, 04:10 PM

We Travel the Same Oceans, Share the Same World
Bali Discovery Tour's - J.M. Daniels Presents Sailing Ships of Friendship From Bali to the People of Phuket and Cebu.

(6/28/2005) On Friday, June 24, 2005, Bali Discovery Tour's President Director, J.M. Daniels, presented four small phinisi sailing ship models to the people of Cebu, Philippines and Phuket, Thailand to symbolize the many bonds shared between the three popular Southeast Asia island destinations.

The Ships, small replicas of the large traditional sailing fleet that still ply the waters connecting Indonesia's 17,508 islands, each bear a unique registration number which will allow tracking of the ship's voyages via a special web site as they are set loose on rivers and seaways around the world.

As reported on balidiscovery.com, [Largest Sailing Ship Armada Sets Sail from Bali], a local cruise operator in Bali - Indonesian Cruises hatched the idea as a means of publicizing Indonesia's long history as a seafaring people and as a means to raise funds for the Komodo Foundation which provide economic assistance to the people living in or near the Komodo National Park.

Daniels brought the 4 sailing models with him to Cebu where he was a featured speaker at a Regional Tourism Conference [See: Semone & Daniels to Address Cebu Conference], presenting the vessels to representatives of Phuket and Cebu to underline the solidarity shared between Phuket, Cebu and Bali as "people of the Pacific."

In presenting the ships, Daniels asked that they soon be released into seas adjoining Cebu and Phuket and that the location and launch dates be recorded on the tracking web site so their progress can be continually monitored. Should the ships eventually wash ashore in some distant place, its finder can trace the voyage of the vessel on the web site and report its "landing" by e-mail to be recorded on the electronic "ship's log."

Daniels presented the ships to Patria Aurora "Dawnie" B. Roa and Agnes Almendras Magpale representing Cebu, and Peter Semone of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) who promised to deliver the two ships on behalf of Bali to the people of Phuket.

XxRyoChanxX

July 5th, 2005, 10:23 AM

bali is gorgeous!~ one of a kind<

Alvin

July 10th, 2005, 09:05 AM

Business is buzzing again in battered Bali

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/rids/20050710/i/r3613945246.jpg?x=214&y=345&sig=rUeEcEYGdNRfxZ18gabcig--
A mother and son relax on Seminyak beach on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, May 28, 2005. Sun-bathing topless on Bali's famed Kuta beach, tourists seem unfazed by the sight of giggling Indonesian tourist policemen buzzing by on a golf cart. To match feature TOURISM-INDONESIA-BALI. Picture taken May 28, 2005. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside Email Photo Print Photo

BALI, Indonesia, July 10 (Reuters) Sun-bathing topless on Bali's famed Kuta beach, Joanna Lee seems unfazed by the sight of giggling Indonesian tourist policemen buzzing by on a golf cart.

''We're happy that tourism in Bali is back because our job is more fun now,'' says police officer I Wayan Karna, laughing and joking with a colleague about sun-loving travellers.

The two policemen then briefly exchange small talk with a group of Japanese tourists on the crowded beach where hawkers selling sunglasses, tattoos, and animal-horn cigarette holders mingle with bikini-clad women and bare-chested wannabe surfers.

''But write this,'' Karna says as he continues his afternoon patrol, ''we're doing this job seriously because we're here to protect the tourists''.

As for Joanna, a shop assistant from Newcastle in Australia, security seems her least concern on her frequent visits to the island she loves for the beaches and the ''fun atmosphere''.

''It's quite obvious really, the beaches are great ... people are just so friendly,'' said Lee, now clad in a loose shirt with oversized rectangular sunglasses sitting on her nose.

''Once you come here you always want to come back, no matter what.'' Indeed, more than two years after Islamic militants bombed packed night clubs in Kuta, -- killing 202 people, most of them foreign tourists -- travellers are finally flocking back to the island.

Dubbed the ''Island of Gods'' for its myriad Hindu temples and never-ending religious rituals, Bali escaped the effects of the Dec.

26 Indian Ocean tsunami that struck many tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.

While tourism in areas such as Sri Lanka and Phuket in Thailand suffered major blows, Bali has enjoyed a revival. The island lies more than a thousand miles away from Aceh, the area of Indonesia hit hardest by the tsunami.

Overseas arrivals on the temple-studded island have increased more than six percent in the first six months of this year to around 700,000 from the same period last year. That figure broke the island's all-time high set in 2001.

In May leading credit card company Visa International reported a hefty jump in travellers' spending on the island and described Bali as a bright spot in Asia's generally gloomy tourist industry.

Fir3blaze

July 10th, 2005, 06:16 PM

Yay! Congrats to Bali! News taken from www.thejakartapost.com

Bali named world's best tourist island of 2005

New York (Antara): For the second time, the New York-based tourism magazine Travel + Leisure named Bali as the world's best tourist island in 2005.

"We have been received confirmation from the magazine's editor. An appreciation ceremony will be held on July 14," an Indonesian diplomat in New York, Kristio Wahyono, said.

He said State Minister for Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik was expected to attend the ceremony to receive the award.

Bali, which won the same award last year, was considered the best among other resort islands across the world based on hotel services, transportation facilities, prices and tourist packages, among other criteria.(*)

ncon

July 12th, 2005, 09:36 AM

http://img312.echo.cx/img312/1854/kutagaleriamall7pk.jpg

XxRyoChanxX

July 12th, 2005, 09:53 AM

is that a shopping center! when is it going to be build/done?? the design is awesome

ncon

July 12th, 2005, 09:59 AM

is that a shopping center! when is it going to be build/done?? the design is awesome

it is done already

JAG2

July 12th, 2005, 10:39 AM

This is if I m not mistaken Discovery Shopping Mall at Kuta. nice with a fancy view of the ocean.
http://img309.echo.cx/img309/4155/cimg06450aw.jpg

JAG2

July 12th, 2005, 10:41 AM

there was nearly no one except this guy walking in front of us.

XxRyoChanxX

July 12th, 2005, 10:59 PM

o0o0 ok haha i fell stupid now~
how come there's no one there?

JAG2

July 13th, 2005, 08:18 AM

It seems to me and that is what I heard due a bombthreat.

ncon

July 17th, 2005, 04:15 PM

Congrats to Bali Indonesia for a whopping 5 hotels on the World's Top 100

Four Seasons Bali Sayan (World's Number 1!!)
Four Seasons Bali Jimbaran
Amandari, Bali
Amankila, Bali
Ritz-Carlton Bali

XxRyoChanxX

July 17th, 2005, 09:09 PM

that's awesome!!!

XxRyoChanxX

July 22nd, 2005, 09:40 AM

Go vote for BALI in the "World best beach city" !!!! NA DPOST SOME PIX WHILE YOU'RE AT IT!!!!

627

July 22nd, 2005, 09:41 AM

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=236122

Sielo

August 8th, 2005, 04:02 PM

US$3 Million Needed for Bali Tourism Promotion
Bali Tourism Board Chairman Calls for Massive Boost in Funds Available for Bali Promotion.

(8/7/2005) Putu Bagus Antara, the Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB) says at least US$3 million is needed to promote Bali tourism abroad.

Quoted in the Indonesian-language Bisnis Indonesia, Antara said these funds could be use to consolidate the marketing efforts of the nine stake-holding organizations that comprise BTB.

In addition to the provision of funds for overseas marketing, Antara also called on quick action to be taken on improving the quality of the Island's tourism product and infrastructure in order to continue the present pattern of growth in tourist arrivals.

A Lack of Quality

While admitting that tourist coming to Bali are hitting record numbers, the "post Bali bomb" visitors have declined in terms of quality, both as respects length-of-stay and average-daily-expenditure while on Bali. As a result and despite the improving aggregate number of visitors, many parts of Bali's tourism industry are still awaiting economic recovery.

With the BTB scheduled to hold its first general meeting of stakeholders in August, Antara is hopeful that the provincial government will soon begin actively funding an independent body charged with tourism promotion for Bali. The Chairman of BTB was chagrined at the fact that Bali and Indonesia were no longer seen as competitive threats by competing destinations such as Malaysia, who instead now look to destinations such as Vietnam and Cambodia as more likely challenges to their share of the global tourism market.

Sielo

August 8th, 2005, 04:05 PM

Lindsay Davenport to Play at Wismilak Tournament
World Number One Rated Player Will Compete at Wismilak International Tournament September 11-18, 2005

(8/8/2005) Wismilak International Tennis Tournament in Bali has attracted the biggest gun in women's tennis, world number 1 Lindsay Davenport, to play in Bali in September.

"We are very happy to announce that Lindsay will play in Bali. We had talks with her a couple of days ago and she said she was anxious to come," tournament director Kevin Livesey announced on Thursday, August 4, 2005.

The big-serving, powerful hitting groundstroker from California has amassed 47 singles crowns and 35 doubles titles. She has won all the Grand Slams with the exception of Roland Garros, and lost a marathon Wimbledon final in July to Venus Williams after holding match point.

Svetlana Kuznetsova Also Confirmed for Bali

Davenport and world number four and defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova are the two top 10 players confirmed for the US$225,000 Bali tournament which will run from Sept. 11 to Sept. 18. Other high-ranked players are number 11 Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, whose left-handed game always presents a threat; number 13 Alicia Molik of Australia, who is recovering from an inner ear infection; and number 19 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia-Montenegro.

"I'm delighted to announce that we have a strong field in the tournament in Bali. The reputation of the tournament as one that offers fierce competition in a relaxing environment is a tribute to all those who make Wismilak International such a popular event with both players and spectators," Livesey said.

Top Asian Players Coming to Bali

The emerging group of young Asian players is represented by India's Sania Mirza, whose impressive performances in U.S. Open tune-ups this month will likely bring her ranking from the current 59 into the top 50 next week, and number 61 Akiko Morigami.

Indonesia's Angelique "Angie" Widjaja, still recovering from knee surgery last November, has been included in the main draw thanks to a wild card. Angie, who won the tournament in 2002 but whose ranking has dropped from the low 70s to 219, will receive one of the two wildcards on offer.

"Angie is Indonesia's great player. Unfortunately she has been injured lately. She is not playing in the U.S. Open but she hopes that she will be fit to play in Bali," Livesey said. He added that the other wildcard recipient would be known about one week before the tournament date.

Indonesia's highest-ranked player after Angie is Wynne Prakusya (391), followed by Ayu Fani Damayanti (471), Romana Tedjakusuma (487) and Sandy Gumulya (566).

ncon

August 8th, 2005, 05:34 PM

Bali:
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/5092/carlsbergtmp7ye.jpg

XxRyoChanxX

August 10th, 2005, 05:00 AM

cool..a tennis tournament...!!that's awesome

Alvin

September 24th, 2005, 09:39 AM

The first St Regis Resort in Asia for BALI!---------------------------------------------------

Knight Frank And Elite Havens (Bali)Sign Exclusive Deal--Initial Project: The First St. Regis Resort in Asia Thu Sep 22, 3:00 AM ET

(PRWEB) - (PRWEB) September 22, 2005 -- Knight Frank, the largest privately-owned property consultancy in the world, has strengthened their presence in the Bali market by entering into an exclusive agreement with local firm Elite Havens. Under the terms of the agreement, Knight Frank and Elite Havens will work together to handle project marketing of luxury real estate in Bali, an area of the Bali property market in which both firms see great potential for growth

ADVERTISEMENT

Knight Frank"s Indonesia operation is based in Jakarta, where they have watched the accelerating development of the Bali market with interest. Elite Havens is a local market leader which has grown consistently during the past few years to dominate the highly competitive Bali real estate and property management sector.

Willson Kalip, President Director of Knight Frank Indonesia, said the deal reflected the perfect merger of two strong talent pools.

"Knight Frank Indonesia values Elite Havens as a mutually beneficial partner, with both parties working together to create powerful synergy in marketing luxury housing in Bali," he said.

"Elite Havens with its local expertise in Balinese luxury properties adds value to Knight Frank"s worldwide reputation of handling high-end housings for the top of the class. In addition, Bali with its flourishing high-end property market is a perfect place for us to operate."

With access to the Knight Frank"s global network and expertise, Elite Havens can now market luxury Bali properties to a much larger world-wide market.

Ric Shreves, Managing Director of The Elite Havens Group added: "This agreement represents a terrific endorsement of Bali as a growing market and helps focus global attention on what we"ve worked so hard to help create here."

The first project to be marketed under the joint banner is the St. Regis Resort Bali, the first Asian resort in the exclusive St. Regis chain (part of the Starwood group). St. Regis currently operates luxury hotel properties in Shanghai and Beijing and is building in Singapore; the Bali project is, however their first resort property in the region. It is eagerly anticipated by Bali"s booming five-star tourism industry.

The project involves both luxury suites and villas. The marketing and sale of the luxury on-site residential villas will be handled by Knight Frank in association with Elite Havens. "The villas, which will be managed by St. Regis, will push the boundaries of the exclusive property market in Bali," said Shreves. "They represent the height of luxury".

Matthew Georgeson, Head of Sales and Project Marketing at Elite Havens noted, "the project will include 2, 3, 4 and 5-bedroom villas. They are right on the beach at Nusa Dua, next to the golf course. It"s an ideal location paired with one of the world"s finest brand names."

Looking forward, Knight Frank and Elite Havens plan to market both the boutique Wabi project in Umalas and the new Angsana Resort and Spa in Uluwatu.

ncon

September 24th, 2005, 06:11 PM

^^ great new for Bali :applause:

guess Bali have more international hotel than JKT :D

ncon

September 29th, 2005, 03:44 PM

Bvlgari Resort Hotel, Bali, Indonesia

http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/1115/bvlgari41pw.jpghttp://img317.imageshack.us/img317/1741/bvlgari38rb.jpghttp://img317.imageshack.us/img317/3120/bvlgari29nr.jpghttp://img317.imageshack.us/img317/4532/bvlgari11fj.jpg

Meindhardt Indonesia is providing integrated Engineering Consultancy Services for the super luxurious Villa Resort for Bvlgari Hotel and Resorts in Pecatu, South of Bali, Indonesia. This prestigious and high quality resort comprises a total of 58 villas of one bedroom, two bedrooms and three bedroom Bvlgari Suite; function rooms and spa facilities, etc.

The site area is approximately 7 hectares. The engineering of the site is very challenging, as the site is formed by limestone rock and slopes steeply at 45% towards the cliff of 160 m above the beach level. The Villas are generally set at minimum of 5 m elevation difference to ensure direct ocean view. Cliff inclinator will be an attractive feature of the development. It allows the guests to experience the trill of traveling down and up the very steep cliff with changing gradience.
This project will be another addition to the Meinhardt's long listed and impressive Hotel and Resort project experience in Asia and Australia.

Architect : Antonio Citterio & Partners, Italy.

ncon

September 29th, 2005, 03:45 PM

^^
Construction updates 1 Sept :D
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4428/15kg1.jpg

it is going to be finish 2006

tata

September 29th, 2005, 04:30 PM

excellent news encon!

Sielo

October 13th, 2005, 09:19 AM

Australians Cancel Bali Trips After Bombings, Arrests

Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Vicky Chalmers, a Sydney hairdresser, was one of hundreds of Australians who canceled family vacations on the Indonesian resort island of Bali after suicide bombers this month killed 20 people, including four Australians.

``When we heard of the bombing, we decided it was just too dangerous to go,'' said Chalmers, 47, from the Sydney suburb of McGrath's Hill, who paid A$1,800 ($1,360) for the weeklong trip.

The blasts, which came on the eve of the third anniversary of the 2002 terrorist attacks in Kuta that killed 88 Australians, and a string of drug arrests threaten to harm Bali's reputation as an island paradise and a ``home away from home'' for Australians.

About 25,000 Australians vacationed in Bali in August, according to the Bureau of Statistics. The island is Australia's third-most popular tourist destination behind the U.K. and New Zealand. In the month after the 2002 bombings, the number of Australians traveling to Indonesia plunged 85 percent, according to the Bali Tourism Authority.

``Bali has always been a home away from home for Australians and it is a cheap alternative,'' Nigel Mason, 61, who has run Bali Adventure Tours for 25 years, said in an interview from the island. ``It's a holiday haven for Australians and Bali would be lost without Aussie tourists.''

Mason said about 10 percent of bookings for the company's elephant, kayaking, white water rafting and cycling safaris had been canceled in the wake of the Oct. 2 bombings, and he has discounted the cost of a tour by 10 percent to lure more travelers.

Cancelled Flights

In the days after the attacks, 500 people canceled flights to Bali and a further 300 changed their departure date, Geoff Dixon, the chief executive of Qantas Airways Ltd., Australia's largest carrier, said in an Oct. 4 statement.

The Australian government has warned people not to travel to Bali and those in Indonesia to consider leaving, according to an advisory posted on the Department of Foreign Affairs' Web site the same day.

``We are seeing cancellations and it looks as if Australians are turning away from Bali as their favored holiday spot,'' Bali Hotels Association Chairman Robert Kelsall said in an interview. ``It's a shame because Bali was just getting back on its feet.''

Bali's reputation in Australia has also been tarnished by the imprisonment in May of 28-year-old Queensland beauty-school student Schapelle Corby for 20 years after she was found guilty of trying to smuggle 4 kilograms of marijuana into Bali.

Drug Busts

Corby has maintained her innocence, claiming the drugs were planted in her luggage by a drug-smuggling ring in Australia. The verdict, which was broadcast live on Australian television, sparked calls for tourists to boycott Bali.

Bali's High Court today reduced Corby's sentence to 15 years, saying the original verdict was too harsh, Australian Associated Press reported.

This week, the trial started of the so-called ``Bali Nine'' -- eight Australian men and one woman -- arrested at Denpasar airport and a hotel on the island allegedly trying to smuggle 8 kilograms of heroin. The nine face the death penalty.

Another Australian, 24-year-old model Michelle Leslie, has been held in a Bali jail since August, when she was arrested for alleged drug possession outside a dance party in Kuta. She faces 15 years in prison after police claimed they found two ecstasy tablets in her handbag.

Leslie's arrest was front-page news in Australia, sparking criticism that Indonesian police were targeting western tourists.

Ceremonies marking the third anniversary of the 2002 blasts were held across Australia yesterday. In Sydney, friends and family of victims gathered at Coogee Beach, where a memorial plaque for 20 of the victims was unveiled.

In Bali, 2000 protesters stormed the Kerobokan jail, demanding the execution of three of the bombers convicted over the 2002 attacks, the Australian newspaper reported.

Group Booking

In this month's attacks, suicide bombers carrying backpacks detonated devices in two restaurants in Jimbaran, a popular Bali beach where diners eat freshly caught seafood on the sand. A third bomb exploded in Kuta.

Three of the four Australians killed were part of a group of 50 friends vacationing together from Newcastle, 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of Sydney. Two of the victims, Colin Zwolinsky, 54, and his wife Fiona, 44, were touring with their two sons Isaac, 17, and Ben, 14. Jennifer Williamson, 48, also died. Williamson was in Bali with her husband Bruce and their son Duncan, 16.

``It has brought the horror of terrorism so close to home,'' the Newcastle Herald said in an Oct. 3 editorial. ``We have been left bewildered by man's inhumanity to man.''

The fourth victim was 16-year-old Brendan Fitzgerald from Busselton in Western Australia.

Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian terrorist group with ties to al-Qaeda, has been linked to the bombings by Indonesian police.

Stayers

Not all Australians are avoiding Bali.

Ronny Street, a security officer from Melbourne, said he was enjoying his vacation, having arrived a day after the bombings.

``You get what you want in Bali, the weather is always nice,'' the 47-year-old said as he ate a hamburger and fries at a cafe in Kuta.

Louise McGregor, a 43-year-old housewife from Newcastle, was in Bali last year when a car bomb exploded outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, killing nine people. Having returned to Bali just before the latest attack, she said she was determined to stay.

``You just have to be careful. It happens anywhere. Madrid, London, you don't know,'' McGregor said as she browsed at a shoe shop in Kuta. ``Just stay out of crowded places.''

Investors Retreat

Australian investors are also pulling out of Bali.

Consolidated Properties Ltd., a closely held Brisbane-based property developer, scrapped plans for a A$60 million resort on Bali's Padang Padang Beach.

``One of our guarantees to investors was for security and we decided that it was a guarantee we couldn't make,'' Consolidated Property's Managing Director Don O'Rourke said in an interview. ``Australians will abandon Bali as a tourist destination in the short term.''

JAG2

October 13th, 2005, 11:07 AM

So finally , those terrorist got what they wanted . Why is it that there are no mass demonstrations on the streets in Indonesia to condemmed those things.
i havent seen on tv that after the blast every Indonesian went on the streets to demonstrate.

cOcO_cHaneL

October 13th, 2005, 01:23 PM

the balinese did.. just recently,,! and not only balinese.. some jakartans also protested that they will force the president to resign if they cant find the terrorist in 1 week time. but i dunno after that..

ncon

October 13th, 2005, 02:12 PM

i also just saw the demon on the TV news

hope Bali never get bomb again

Alvin

October 18th, 2005, 07:41 AM

Free fares to lure tourists
October 18, 2005

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Thousands of free air tickets will be offered to lure tourists back to Bali, and a new, military co-ordinated security regime is intended to provide a "security guarantee" for travellers.

A Bali recovery strategy was endorsed by government officials and leaders of the tourism industry yesterday.

The Indonesian airline Garuda will offer 5000 return trips to international visitors, mostly from Australia and Japan, to be distributed by travel agents or a lottery. Another 5000 tickets will be given to Malaysians and a further 5000 to domestic tourists.

The head of the Bali Tourism Board, Bagus Sudibya, is co-ordinating the strategy, which has been approved by the national Government. He said improved security was the first priority.

About two thirds of Balinese depend on tourism directly or indirectly. Between 20 and 40 per cent of Australian and Japanese tourists had cancelled their holidays since the bombings on October 1, Mr Sudibya said. The two nations provide the bulk of travellers to Bali.

Advertisement
AdvertisementWhile the initial response to the bombings was less severe than the downturn after the October 2002 attacks, when the number of travellers halved, Mr Sudibya said he was concerned about the long-term impact.

Mark Forbes

cOcO_cHaneL

October 18th, 2005, 12:11 PM

wowwwww,, come evryone let's goooo~~~

Ara

October 18th, 2005, 01:00 PM

Investors Retreat

Australian investors are also pulling out of Bali.

Consolidated Properties Ltd., a closely held Brisbane-based property developer, scrapped plans for a A$60 million resort on Bali's Padang Padang Beach.

``One of our guarantees to investors was for security and we decided that it was a guarantee we couldn't make,'' Consolidated Property's Managing Director Don O'Rourke said in an interview. ``Australians will abandon Bali as a tourist destination in the short term.''
I know of a South African hotel group that is considering building a resort in Bali. Maybe they should come in and take over this project.

ncon

November 16th, 2005, 12:26 PM

new Projects

NUSA DUA GOLF-RESORT

http://img496.imageshack.us/img496/4883/nusa2golfresort9is.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Blue_Sky

November 16th, 2005, 01:01 PM

WoW...
Nusa Dua already become like Beverly Hills

ncon

November 16th, 2005, 01:02 PM

yeah I hope so one day it will become famous :D

cOcO_cHaneL

November 16th, 2005, 05:10 PM

differemt from beverly hills imo.. but i lovveee it

Zorobabel

December 14th, 2005, 03:39 AM

Bali tourist industry keeps dropping...

---

Number of tourist arrivals in Bali continues to drop

SURABAYA (Antara): The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Bali has continued falling after the Oct. 1 bomb attacks from 162,102 in September to 81,109 in October and substantially falling to only 62,705 in November, according to data at the Ngurah Rai airport's immigration office.

The data showed on Tuesday that in the first nine months of this year, the average number of foreign tourist arrivals reached about 100,000 per month.

In total the number of foreign tourist arrivals in Bali in the first 11 months of this year reached 1.31 million, a slight fall from 1.33 million in the corresponding period of last year, the data showed.

The highest number of foreign tourist arrivals in Bali was reached in 2004 with 1.45 million, so that the tourist business operators predicted that the number would continue increasing to 1.6 million this year.

Bali tourism observer IB Surakusuma expressed pessimism that the target could be reached as it would be impossible there would be 300,000 tourist arrivals within the last one month.

"The Indonesian image overseas has to be improved first so as to attract travelers to visit Indonesia, especially Bali," he said.

XxRyoChanxX

December 14th, 2005, 05:20 AM

it looks really nice

Sielo

January 27th, 2006, 02:10 PM

Scoops of gold poured into Bali

Bali property investment is booming despite the sharp fall on tourist arrivals after the 1 October, 2005 bombings.

“Many of our clients have a strong affinity for Bali and there are some fantastic projects available on the market at discounts,”Regional Director International Properties, Colliers International’s Hong Kong office, Ginn Lai said.

Mr Lai expected Bali properties to be a top choice for investors in 2006.

“We also did not see the Rupiah weakening immediately after the October attacks which shows the confidence the international markets have in our economy,” ABN Amro’s Relationship Manager – Private Banking, Ayu Yan Satriasih said.

Director of Pt. Hanno Bali and C151 resorts, one of Bali’s major developers companies, Hanno Soth said some of the big construction deals would have a positive impact on the Bali economy.

The private sector, local communities, and the police are working together to improve security measures in Bali, commented Vice Mayor of Bali, Dr. I Ketut Sudikerta

“With new security protocols in place, Bali will be safer than most popular tourist destinations which have not been forced to take implement such security measures,” Dr Sudikerta said.

Zorobabel

February 14th, 2006, 08:17 AM

Foreign tourists continue to shun resort island Bali

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite the government's efforts to promote tourism on Bali island following the bombings last October, the number of foreign tourists visiting the island remains low.

Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said Monday that the average number of foreign tourists coming to the island was now only 3,674 a day, while the hotel occupancy rate averaged 31.58 percent during the first week of this month.

"The number of foreign tourists is far lower than the 5,000 per day recorded in September 2005," he said during a hearing with the House of Representatives' tourism commission in Jakarta.

He did not give the hotel occupancy rate for last September, but, according to the Indonesian Hotels and Tourism Association, it averaged 90 percent.

Jero said that from Oct. 2, 2005, through the end of January 2006, the average number of foreign visitors to the island stood at only about 3,000 a day, while the hotel occupancy rate averaged 38 percent.

Although the physical damage caused by the attacks had been repaired, Jero said that the fear resulting from the tragedy meant that for many Bali was no longer considered a "safe and comfortable destination".

The terrorist bombings in October last year, which killed 23 people, were the second series of blasts to hit Bali. The first occurred in October 2002, and killed more than 200 people, mostly foreigners.

Minister Jero predicted that the Bali tourism industry would start to recover in April after a more aggressive advertising campaign this month.

"We are sending a delegation to Australia this month, consisting of representatives of the tourism boards and the police, who will explain the improvements that have been made to security in Indonesia," he said. "Private sector actors involved in the tourist industry will allowed to join the road show."

The road show, he said, was part of the "Bali Recovery Program" aimed at restoring the image of Bali. This program would include the establishment of a media and public relations center, an advertising campaign, the offering of family package tours, and the staging of supporting events in Bali.

The advertisements, promoting Indonesia as the "Ultimate in Diversity", would be published in international magazines and newspapers such as Time, Businessweek and Newsweek, and broadcast on TV channels like CNN, Star World and CNBC, he said.

The ministry had allocated Rp 67.3 billion (US$7.3 million) for the program out of the overall tourism promotion budget of Rp 100 billion. The rest of the funds would be used for improved security (Rp 16 billion), immigration services (Rp 7 billion) and oversight (Rp 3 billion).

The Rp 100 billion forms part of the total budget of Rp 624 billion allocated to the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

Jero also said the government was targeting $5 billion in foreign exchange earnings from the tourism sector this year, up from last year's $4.5 billion.

Farean

February 14th, 2006, 08:59 AM

maybe we should Promote other Islands that are not Famous Pulau seram or other 17.000 Islands! I bet those small Island are More safer than Bali

us_lukman

February 14th, 2006, 08:03 PM

DENPASAR, Indonesia (Reuters) - An Indonesian court on Tuesday sentenced two young Australian men to die by firing squad for trying to smuggle heroin from the resort island of Bali, verdicts that back up Jakarta's war on illegal drugs.

In Canberra, an emotional Australian Prime Minister John Howard said the punishments should serve as a warning to other young Australians not to take "stupid" risks.

The sentences matched what prosecutors had demanded for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, the accused masterminds of a group of nine Australians arrested in Bali last April for trying to smuggle more than 8.2 kg (18 lb) of heroin to Australia.

Activists from an Indonesian anti-narcotics group inside the court for the high-profile trials shouted "Hooray! Long live the judges!" when the verdicts were read out in separate sessions.

The court said the two men had shown no remorse and paid for the operation. It also sentenced two drug couriers to life in jail, after giving the same punishment to two others on Monday.

Chan, 22, shook his head, stared at the ceiling and then smirked when the verdict was delivered. Both he and Sukumaran, 24, are from Sydney.

"There are no mitigating factors. His statements throughout the trial were convoluted and he did not own up to his actions," chief judge Arif Supratman said in handing down Chan's verdict.

The death sentences might spark criticism in Australia, which has abolished capital punishment.

Howard said Australia would make representations -- a plea for clemency -- to Indonesia on behalf of Chan and Sukumaran.

"Can I just say to every young Australian, please take notice of this. I even beg them not to take the terrible risks that these young people have done, their lives destroyed in the case of two people," Howard told reporters.

"I feel desperately sorry for the parents of these people, I do ... But the warnings have been there for decades and how on earth any young Australian can be so stupid as to take the risk is completely beyond me."

Lawyers for Chan said they would appeal.

GOD'S DECISIONS

"Life and death are God's decisions. If it is made through a court verdict, that equals murder," said lawyer Agus Saputra.

Prosecutors had said Chan was the "driving engine" of the operation.

He was arrested inside a Sydney-bound flight at Bali airport after police had caught the four defendants sentenced to life with packages of heroin strapped to their bodies in the airport.

It was unclear if Sukumaran would appeal.

Prosecutors had said Sukumaran helped strap the packages on the four couriers and was a planner of the operation. He was arrested at a Bali hotel.

The latest Australians to get life in jail were Michael Czugaj, 20, from Brisbane and Martin Stephens, 29, of Wollongong.

Their sentences matched what prosecutors had demanded.

Verdicts for the final three defendants are expected on Wednesday. Prosecutors have demanded life for all three, who were arrested at a Bali hotel where police found quantities of heroin, scales and other equipment.

Around 20 foreigners, most of them Africans, are on death row in Indonesia for drug offences. The latest foreigners shot by firing squad for drug offences were two Thais in October 2004. They had sat on death row for eight years.

The final stage of an appeal allows inmates on death row to seek clemency from the president.

On Monday, the court jailed Renae Lawrence for life even though prosecutors had asked judges to show leniency by jailing her for 20 years because of her cooperation in the case.

Lawrence, 28, from the city of Newcastle, is the only female of the group, dubbed the "Bali Nine" by Australian media.

Under Indonesian law, a prosecution demand is non-binding for judges but is seen as a strong recommendation.

Among verdicts of recent years, the same court jailed Australian woman Schapelle Corby for 20 years last May after she was found guilty of smuggling marijuana

Zorobabel

February 14th, 2006, 08:07 PM

Bali's economy is pretty much history. I don't see it being a major tourist destination for a very long time.

Alvin

April 16th, 2006, 09:00 AM

:cry:

Six months after suicide bombings, Bali still hurting

16 April 2006
12:23
Agence France Presse
English
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2006 All reproduction and presentation rights reserved.
DENPASAR, Indonesia, April 16, 2006 (AFP) -

A waiter at one of the seafood restaurants strung along Bali's Jimbaran Bay gestures towards the other end of the beach, a sparsely populated stretch of sand where suicide bombs were detonated more than six months ago.

Asian and German tourists keep his restaurant ticking over, he says, but tourists from Australia, who have long flocked here to enjoy Bali's famed surf and stunning scenery, are staying away.

"Why don't they come back? We are going bankrupt!" the waiter exclaims.

Six months after three suicide bombers rocked the island, tourism numbers are still in the doldrums, with everyone from taxi drivers to hoteliers complaining about the slump hitting their wallets.

The October 1 attacks by Islamic extremists on bustling eateries at Jimbaran and the main beach strip of Kuta killed 20 bystanders. The bloodshed occurred just three years after the Hindu-majority island was shaken by even more devastating blasts which left 202 people dead, mostly Western holiday-makers.

In February, tourism arrivals were at 73,430, down 26.56 percent year-on-year, official data shows, while preliminary figures for March are similarly disheartening.

"I'm worried about the numbers," says Gde Nurjaya, chief of Bali's tourism authority.

Daily arrivals for the first three months of 2005 averaged 3,900 per day amid bad publicity about Indonesia focused on the tsunami in Aceh, but this year only 2,800 per day have been trickling in, Nurjaya says.

And the number of days tourists stay has dwindled from about 10 days before the October 2002 blasts to five or six days, he adds, as the market shifts from being dominated by westerners to having a heavier Asian component.

"Some of my friends have quit driving taxis," says Ketut Prastiya, a taxi driver in Denpasar. "Not many tourists are around, so the money is not enough to support their families."

Some have gone home to their villages, others have found other work.

On a good day, Prastiya makes up to 40,000 rupiah (just under four dollars) in profit, less than half of what he pulled in before the latest attacks. But on a bad day, he ends up owing the taxi company a portion of the 150,000 rupiah he pays to hire his car. He owes about one million rupiah.

Irwan Hidayat, the owner of a spa in Denpasar popular with tourists, says business is down by half compared to the same time a year ago.

"I have to change shifts, rearrange the schedule in order not to fire any of my staff," he says.

Even in the most popular tourist spots, such as beachside Kuta and Nusa Dua and the cultural town of Ubud, hotel occupancy hovers at around 30 percent, with the lucky hotels hitting 40 percent, hoteliers estimate.

Normally, rates would be up to 70 percent booked, they say.

"The level of occupancy is so low. It is so scary," says Ratna Radja Ully, secretary of the Bali branch of the Pacific Asia Travel Association. "I don't know why it is still difficult to get people to come to Bali."

Panicked hotels are offering sizeable discounts in a bid to lure the hordes.

"We got a 50 percent discount for a three-day meeting," says a pleased Herry Pramono, whose Jakarta-based office with a staff of more than 30 has just arranged a package at a four-star hotel in Kuta.

Kuta, the site of the first bombing, is particularly losing out to other areas as tourists seek out quieter alternatives -- perceived as less obvious targets -- such as Seminyak, where some hotels are filling half their rooms.

Happy Subiyanto, public relations manager of the Sofitel at Seminyak, says they are one of the few not offering discounts.

The slump "will kill others (but) we have the advantage of location," she says.

Some hoteliers say the government should be promoting Bali more aggressively.

"Let's talk about promoting the island as if Bali is a new destination and we have to introduce it widely and persistently," says Ayu Martiasih, from Maya Resort in Ubud.

Bali is lagging behind other nearby destinations such as Thailand and Malaysia, which are heavily pushing themselves, she complains.

"We have their promotions on our local television. Do we have ours on their televisions?" he asks.

Nurjaya from the tourism authority says officials have been doing promotional work, including a two-week trip taking in Berlin's major International Tourism Fair as well as stops in Perth and Guangzhou.

Indonesia has released 37 billion rupiah (about four million dollars) in aid to help Bali revive tourism, with a total of 67 billion rupiah earmarked by Jakarta to help shore up the industry.

English tourist Neil Anderson, on his first-ever visit to Bali, says he is enjoying the quiet streets and beaches.

"But I feel sorry for Balinese people -- it's bad for their business," he says.

str-sb/nw

XxRyoChanxX

April 16th, 2006, 09:34 AM

:( that's so sad!!

why did they have to Bomb Bali...

gosh it makes me mad

Farean

April 16th, 2006, 11:00 AM

when I was in Changi Airport going to Bali, I saw a lot of foreigner in the Gate departuring to bali more than any other Gates. They also Brought their Children that's still Infants and babies to Bali (a lot of People). The Plane was full of Foreigners and I didn't see any empty spaces.Hard Rock Hotel was almost Full Vacancy (the told us to check out early due to the Permintaan). in Bali there's still a lot of foreigners (Sumpah Deh as much as Singapore!) I guess Bali Before the Bombs were really crowded kyk pasar Bule ;)

Zorobabel

April 26th, 2006, 02:54 AM

Bali still not booming
Benito Lopulalan
Tue, 25 Apr 2006

A waiter at one of the seafood restaurants strung along Bali's Jimbaran Bay gestures towards the other end of the beach, a sparsely populated stretch of sand where suicide bombs were detonated more than six months ago.

Asian and German tourists keep his restaurant ticking over, he says, but tourists from Australia, who have long flocked here to enjoy Bali's famed surf and stunning scenery, are staying away.

"Why don't they come back? We are going bankrupt!" the waiter exclaims.

Six months after three suicide bombers rocked the island, tourism numbers are still in the doldrums, with everyone from taxi drivers to hoteliers complaining about the slump hitting their wallets.

The October 1 attacks by Islamic extremists on bustling eateries at Jimbaran and the main beach strip of Kuta killed 20 bystanders. The bloodshed occurred just three years after the Hindu-majority island was shaken by even more devastating blasts which left 202 people dead, mostly Western holiday-makers.

In February, tourism arrivals were at 73 430, down 26.56 percent year-on-year, official data shows, while preliminary figures for March are similarly disheartening.

"I'm worried about the numbers," says Gde Nurjaya, chief of Bali's tourism authority.

Daily arrivals for the first three months of 2005 averaged 3900 per day amid bad publicity about Indonesia focused on the tsunami in Aceh, but this year only 2800 per day have been trickling in, Nurjaya says.

And the number of days tourists stay has dwindled from about 10 days before the October 2002 blasts to five or six days, he adds, as the market shifts from being dominated by westerners to having a heavier Asian component.

"Some of my friends have quit driving taxis," says Ketut Prastiya, a taxi driver in Denpasar. "Not many tourists are around, so the money is not enough to support their families."

Some have gone home to their villages, others have found other work.

On a good day, Prastiya makes up to 40 000 rupiah (just under $4) in profit, less than half of what he pulled in before the latest attacks. But on a bad day, he ends up owing the taxi company a portion of the 150 000 rupiah he pays to hire his car. He owes about one million rupiah.

Irwan Hidayat, the owner of a spa in Denpasar popular with tourists, says business is down by half compared to the same time a year ago.

"I have to change shifts, rearrange the schedule in order not to fire any of my staff," he says.

Even in the most popular tourist spots, such as beachside Kuta and Nusa Dua and the cultural town of Ubud, hotel occupancy hovers at around 30 percent, with the lucky hotels hitting 40 percent, hoteliers estimate.

Normally, rates would be up to 70 percent booked, they say.

"The level of occupancy is so low. It is so scary," says Ratna Radja Ully, secretary of the Bali branch of the Pacific Asia Travel Association. "I don't know why it is still difficult to get people to come to Bali."

Huge discounts on offer

Panicked hotels are offering sizeable discounts in a bid to lure the hordes.

"We got a 50 percent discount for a three-day meeting," says a pleased Herry Pramono, whose Jakarta-based office with a staff of more than 30 has just arranged a package at a four-star hotel in Kuta.

Kuta, the site of the first bombing, is particularly losing out to other areas as tourists seek out quieter alternatives — perceived as less obvious targets — such as Seminyak, where some hotels are filling half their rooms.

Happy Subiyanto, public relations manager of the Sofitel at Seminyak, says they are one of the few not offering discounts.

The slump "will kill others (but) we have the advantage of location," she says.

Tourism authorities under fire

Some hoteliers say the government should be promoting Bali more aggressively: "Let's talk about promoting the island as if Bali is a new destination and we have to introduce it widely and persistently," says Ayu Martiasih, from Maya Resort in Ubud.

Bali is lagging behind other nearby destinations such as Thailand and Malaysia, which are heavily pushing themselves, she complains.

"We have their promotions on our local television. Do we have ours on their televisions?" he asks.

Nurjaya from the tourism authority says officials have been doing promotional work, including a two-week trip taking in Berlin's major International Tourism Fair as well as stops in Perth and Guangzhou.

Indonesia has released 37 billion rupiah (about $4-million) in aid to help Bali revive tourism, with a total of 67 billion rupiah earmarked by Jakarta to help shore up the industry.

English tourist Neil Anderson, on his first-ever visit to Bali, says he is enjoying the quiet streets and beaches.

"But I feel sorry for Balinese people — it's bad for their business," he says.

627

April 26th, 2006, 03:54 AM

sad.. could it also be because of that corby chick? what happeend to her neway

Zorobabel

April 26th, 2006, 06:03 AM

It's a combination of things. It's not just Australians who are no longer visiting the island. According to official data, Japanese, Taiwanese, and Korean arrivals have also dropped by around 20%. You just can't expect a tourist market to survive if on two different occassions terrorists specifically targeted and successfully killed foreign tourists.

Farean

April 26th, 2006, 06:43 AM

one Way Bali can Recover is by Forgetting about the Terroist Attack and Making them Taboo and That's Imposible, with the Loud Mouth Media >(
Every Indonesia News they always tell/remember the terrorist attacks weather its good or Bad. just look at London. Do they put London Bombings on almost Every London News? >(

Fuck Media and Terrorist

bahar

April 26th, 2006, 10:29 AM

I feel sorry for the Balinese. I love being with my Balinese friends. They are so good and kind. I hope things will turn around soon. They are innocent victims.

I am just wondering why there are still people supporting this act of brutal terrorism. The fact that these terrorists are using religion as one of their justification is a disgrace. I was raised in a tolerant moslem community. I feel so ashamed and angered because these terrorists have hijacked the religion for their own cause.

Several days ago I watched documentary movie about prophet Muhammad. I learned that he was a very tolerant leader. He managed and encouraged people of different faiths to live side by side in the city of Medina. He prevented his soldiers from killing women and children. He pardoned the Meccans who originally wanted to kill him. It's through peace that this religion initially spread fast. The most difficult jihad war is not to kill the enemy, but to control our inner desire.

So for those who still support these brutal terrorists, looked at what the prophed had shown his early believer by example.

OK. That's enough. I dont pretend to be pious, because I am not. Let's fight terrorism but not the peaceful message of any religion. For the Balinese, there are still a lot of people around the globe that adore your way of life, me included.