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.

F-ian

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

F-ian

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

F-ian

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.

Alvin

April 26th, 2006, 12:09 PM

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.

Increased promotion means nothing if the threat of terrorist attacks is still there. Action speak louder than words...a $1 billion campaign to promote INdonesia tourism can potentially increase tourists numbers gradually, but only until the next terrorist bombing. This is the sad reality that Indonesian tourism finds itself today...

Alvin

April 26th, 2006, 12:10 PM

F-ian

April 26th, 2006, 12:59 PM

We want Noordin M Top's and that New leader's Head Now!

http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/violent025.gif http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/violent005.gifhttp://www.freesmileys.org/emo/violent007.gif !!!

Indonesians! Pray For Terorists to Perish!!

XxRyoChanxX

April 27th, 2006, 12:18 AM

wow..balinese people got it so hard...

Alvin

May 8th, 2006, 06:01 AM

BALI TO HAVE THREE BEST GOLF COURSES
241 words
7 May 2006
LKBN ANTARA
English
(c) 2006 Asia Pulse Pty Limited. Asia Pulse gives no warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy of the information, Asia Pulse shall not be liable for errors or omissions in, or delays or interruptions to or cessation of delivery of, the data through its negligence or otherwise.

Denpasar, May 7 (ANTARA) ? The building of three golf courses on a total of 255 ha of land is currently underway on Bukit Jimbaran (Jimbaran hillside), some 25 km south of this capital of Bali province.

Three golf courses, which will have 18 holes each will become the best golf courses in Indonesia, is scheduled to be completed early in 2008 at a cost of about Rp450 billion, Managing Director of PT Intra Golflink Resorts Suprapto Pegeng said in Jimbaran last weekend.

?We have signed a contract with the organizing committee of the Indonesian open golf championship, so the three golf courses must be ready before the opening of the event,? he explained.

The three golf courses need Rp450 billion in investment, excluding the price of land, and funds are derived from the sale of shares to golfers, worth Rp150 million each.

Golfers who have become members by investing their money in this project can use the three golf courses in Jimbaran, and a golf course in Jakarta and Belitung free of charge, according to Suprapto.

Return on investment will be achieved when PT Intra Golflink has registered 3,100 members, he said, adding that it takes at least three years to collect 3,100 members.

He believes that the property sector, including the business of golf courses, will be booming as of 2006. There are 151 golf courses in different parts of Indonesia.

Alvin

May 30th, 2006, 07:59 AM

Bali mega property project commences
Rita Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Jimbaran

After six years of delay, PT Bali Pecatu Graha (BPG) has started work on the major Pecatu Indah Resort real estate development on a 400-hectare site on barren Pecatu Hill in Jimbaran, south of Bali.

The development will give new hope to both the property and tourism industries in Bali, which have been in the doldrums following terrorist attacks on the island's main tourist centers in October 2002 and October 2005.

"We have invited a number of potential investors to develop a diverse range of real estate projects, including luxury hotels, an international standard golf course, a convention center, shopping malls, a theme park, a world-class hospital and a school on the 400-hectare site," BPG president director Made Putrawan said in a recent interview with The Jakarta Post.

Previously slated to begin in l998, originally the project was supposed to have covered 650 hectares. This, however, has now been reduced to 400 hectares.

The project will take around 15 years to complete. "The first stage of the project involves the building of the basic infrastructure, which will cost around Rp 100 billion," he said.

The completed project will comprise an 18-hole golf course, a 15,000-capacity convention center, a theme park, a water park, shopping malls, exclusive residential areas, luxury resorts and villas, stylish restaurants and entertainment centers, a hospital and an international school.

The ambitious project has attracted a number of investors, including the Rekso Group (owner of Sosro). The group plans to build a luxury hotel on an 11-hectare site. "The planned hotel will be devoted solely to the top end of the market," he said.

PT Intra Golflink Resorts is currently developing an 85-hectare golf course.

Budi Santoso, an executive of Golflink Resorts, said that the golf course will be completed by 2007.

"This development will serve as a magnet to attract people to Bali," Budi said.

In addition, the Westin Group, through PT Luminary Wira Bhakti, will construct a five-star hotel in the area. Meanwhile, PT Panorama Development Utama is currently developing exclusive villas and a hotel.

Entertainment centers will be developed by PT Klapa New Kuta Beach, while the construction of residential areas will be undertaken by PT Cupumanik Griya Permai.

The basic concept of this integrated property project is to combine the glitter of Kuta, the artistry of Ubud, and the opulence of Nusa Dua.

For Bali, which is currently desperate for visitors and investors, such a large-scale project holds out the hope of economic revival.

"We hope to create more jobs and to employ at least 1,000 local workers," explained A. R. Sofyan, BPG's finance director.

Putrawan said that business at this time of the year in Bali was very slow. The majority of five star hotels and property developments are suffering from a lack of demand, with the average hotel occupancy rate now running at below 40 percent and real estate sales languishing.

"But, we are optimistic that Bali is heading toward a recovery and we have to be ready when this happens," Putrawan said.

Alvin

August 3rd, 2006, 06:30 AM

Not easy to tempt Aussie tourists back to Bali

Jonathan Dart, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Last month, the Bali Tourism Board issued a press release declaring what everybody on the small holiday island was desperately waiting to hear.

"All indicators are that Bali's tourism industry is making steps towards a sure and certain recovery," it stated.

If this year's early travel figures are anything to go by, this view is close to the mark. In April this year, 103,866 foreign tourists arrived Bali, which was down by just more than 10 per cent on the figure from the corresponding period in 2005.

Considering that after the 2002 attacks, tourist arrivals to Bali did not normalize until mid-2004, locals may well have cause to celebrate.

But despite the self-congratulatory press releases, there remains one group of people that the Balinese have yet to convince. They can be found in travel agencies throughout Australia.

Tony Foster, who operates a Harvey World Travel franchise in Hobart, Tasmania, led a well-publicized campaign in May last year to stop promoting Bali as a holiday destination as a form of "personal protest".

The cause of his dissent? Foster said he had a "gut feeling" that Schapelle Corby, an Australian tourist arrested in Bali for possession of 4.1 kilograms of marijuana, was not being given a "fair go" by Indonesian courts.

Within a week, an Australian travel industry journal surveyed 168 local agents and found that 68 percent of them had also stopped promoting Bali.

The Schapelle Corby saga -- coupled with the October terrorist bombing and subsequent drug trials of Australian Michelle Leslie and of nine other Australians nicknamed the "Bali Nine" -- has had an effect on many Australians, many of whom have now decided not to return to Bali.

The tourist data from April show that, while the overall tourist figures were strong, arrivals from Australia, Bali's second-largest tourist market, have dropped by 45 percent, according to year-on-year statistics from Bali Tourism Board.

The impact from Australia was masked by an unusual increase in visitors from Japan and Taiwan, which posted a staggering increase of more than 50 percent.

More than a year on from his initial campaign, Foster said he still refused to promote Bali to his clients.

"I don't consider it a safe place to have to send anyone," he told The Jakarta Post. "No one ever asks for it anyway. People just don't ask for Bali at the moment."

"I think Bali has, at least for me from where I am, just completely gone off the agenda for people."

Perhaps the most telling statistic is that, despite the lackluster showing in Bali, the overall number of tourists leaving Australia has been steadily increasing since January.

The fastest growing destination for Australians is one of Indonesia's closest neighbors and competitors: Thailand. In the past year, the country has seen a rise of more than 49 percent in Australian tourists.

"There's no doubt that Phuket, Koh Samui, places like that have taken over," Foster said. "For a short while Fiji was quite popular. But Fiji is also reasonably expensive."

"The people that were probably going to Bali in years gone by, now I've found are going to Thailand and Malaysia, which offer competitive prices. There's no doubt that they're the ones that have come out the winner in it all."

"Phuket for example, was one of those places hardest hit by the tsunami," he said. "But people have told me that it's a far better place now than it was before. I just think it's going to be a long time for Bali, before it comes back into favor."

With confidence returning to vital markets in East Asia, the big challenge now for Bali's tourism industry will be to regain the confidence of tourists in Australia.

But there are already some indicators that the task is not going to be easy. Thailand has this year launched its expensive "Grand Invitation" advertising campaign, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The advertisements have already been seen extensively around the region, including Australia.

Increased competition between airlines in the region also means that Bali has lost its monopoly as the cheap destination for Australian tourists.

Last week, budget airline operator Jetstar announced flights from Sydney to Bali for A$169 (about Rp 1.16 million). Thailand was not far behind, with flights to Phuket being offered for A$199.

But where there is danger there is also opportunity, and increased competition among airline operators in Australia will undoubtedly lead to a rise in the number of tourists for all major destinations, including Bali.

The response to Jetstar's offer has so far been impressive, with reports of its computer system crashing due to overwhelming demand.

Bali's travel operators haven't been waiting passively, either. In June, the major Bali operators attended the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meeting Expo in Melbourne, where they came face to face with the Australian market.

Bali Discovery Tours president director John Daniels said it was inevitable that Bali would return to its former place in the minds of Australian tourists.

"The cultural and historical connections between Bali and Australia are both extensive and intensive which, together with the undeniable attractions of the island to Australian travelers, suggest that Australian arrival figures will continue to improve each month," he said.

XxRyoChanxX

August 4th, 2006, 03:03 AM

kasian banget sih BALI

valian

August 4th, 2006, 09:51 AM

i heard some glimpse news that mulia hotel will open in nusa dua, bali, in 2007.. and since it's mulia, it should be massive and lavish.. anybody can confirm??

F-ian

October 11th, 2006, 06:36 PM

Bali opens new Bvlgari Resort

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

A joint venture between Bulgari and Marriott International Luxury Group, the Bulgari Hotel, Bali has recently launched its 59-villa property 160metres about the Idian Ocean. This is the second property to open under the new exclusive luxury brand.

The new resort is a combination of traditional Balinese style, dramatic contemporary Italian design and a very unique location. Situated near the village of Pecatu and close to the Pura Luhur clifftop Uluwatu Temple tourist attraction, the international airport is 20metres north. Kuta, the tourist heart of Bali, is a 40 minute drive away.

Francesco Trapani, Bulgari Chief Executive Officer said, “Following the great success of our first hotel opened in Milan in 2004, I am very pleased to inaugurate the Bulgari Resort in Bali, one of the most exciting and exclusive destinations in the world thanks to its natural beauty, rich culture and heritage.

“I believe that this magnificent resort with its extraordinary location perfectly mirrors and applies to hospitality our concepts of design, elegance and contemporary luxury. It will offer our guests a complete Bulgari lifestyle experience while further underlining the innovative spirit and prestige of the brand all over the world.”

Antonio Citterio and Partners were the architects in charge of brining this modern interpretation of Balinese style together. The resort is made up of 59 individual ocean-view villas, with a 1,300m² Bulgari Villa. All accommodations offer a plunge pool and a secluded patio with tropical garden.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6948/56939vf5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://www.bulgarihotels.com/

Great Job Bali! You done us Proud! :hug: We hope this will attract more tourists :scouserd: the only 2 in the world :scouserd:

Denhaag-Bogor

October 11th, 2006, 06:57 PM

Yes...go Indonesia, Bali is still HOT.....

F-ian

October 11th, 2006, 07:10 PM

<<<<<<<<<<< Yes Go There Now! Denhaag-Bogor!

BTW I already put that in the Low-Rise Architect Subforum but Silly ol me! its suposed to be in Travel and Geography Subforum :doh:

http://www.revolution-press.com/news/wp-content/uploads/bvlgari/balihtl/logo.jpg

http://www.revolution-press.com/news/wp-content/uploads/bvlgari/balihtl/villarm.jpg
The Villa Room View

http://www.revolution-press.com/news/wp-content/uploads/bvlgari/balihtl/livedine.jpg
The Living & Dining Pavilion view.

http://www.revolution-press.com/news/wp-content/uploads/bvlgari/balihtl/pool.jpg
Hotel Pool, be a part of nature.

http://www.revolution-press.com/news/wp-content/uploads/bvlgari/balihtl/beach.jpg
The Beautiful Beach view

http://www.revolution-press.com/news/wp-content/uploads/bvlgari/balihtl/cliff.jpg
The Cliff.

XxRyoChanxX

October 12th, 2006, 08:34 AM

coolnesss!!! BALI is def one of a kind!

Alvin

October 19th, 2006, 01:11 AM

Local
Bali tourist numbers plunging

Greg Roberts
19 October 2006
The Australian
Copyright 2006 News Ltd. All Rights Reserved

THE number of Australians travelling to Indonesia has halved in the year since 23 people died in the second Bali bombings.

New Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show 139,990 Australians visited Indonesia -- the vast majority going to Bali for holidays -- in the 12 months to August, down from 273,160 in the same period to August last year.

Analysis of monthly figures indicates there is no recovery in sight, with Australians still jittery about visiting Bali since the blasts at Kuta Beach and Jimbaran Bay killed four of their compatriots.

Tourist numbers bounced back after an initial slump following the 2002 terrorist Bali attacks, when 88 Australians were killed.

Indonesia topped the list of overseas holiday destinations for Australians in August last year but had dropped to fifth place 12months later.

Most of those who travelled to Bali were repeat visitors who had remained loyal to the island.

"The regulars still come but the newcomers and the families don't come any more," said Waywayan Budiarsa, sales director of the Ramada Bintang Hotel in the Balinese town of Tuban.

Australians once accounted for 35 per cent of the hotel's customers. The proportion was now 10per cent, he said.

"After the first bombings it was back to normal six months later, but that has not happened this time," Mr Budiarsa said.

Adelaide-based Venture Holidays managing director Cos Matteo said Indonesian airline Garuda had this month stopped its thrice-weekly flights from South Australia's capital to Bali. Garuda had signalled it would halt flights to Bali from Australia's east coast from next March. "Bali used to be our biggest seller. But now it's eclipsed by places like Thailand and Malaysia," Mr Matteo said.

[AUS_T-20061019-1-002-450620 ]

sanhen

October 19th, 2006, 03:07 AM

And again.... most Australian has visited Bali.. so maybe regular holiday makers will choose another destination over Bali.

Blue_Sky

October 19th, 2006, 10:20 AM

^^
That why we must optimize Lombok or NTT as alternative

laba-laba

October 19th, 2006, 10:29 AM

btw..

what means "BALI **the island of God***" ?? which God do u mean ??

Mahaputra

October 19th, 2006, 10:42 AM

Local
Bali tourist numbers plunging

Adelaide-based Venture Holidays managing director Cos Matteo said Indonesian airline Garuda had this month stopped its thrice-weekly flights from South Australia's capital to Bali. Garuda had signalled it would halt flights to Bali from Australia's east coast from next March. "Bali used to be our biggest seller. But now it's eclipsed by places like Thailand and Malaysia," Mr Matteo said.

[AUS_T-20061019-1-002-450620 ]

yeah thanks to this.. I have to fly to Melb first to fly home to Jakarta using Garuda.. or other options are other airlines - heaps more expensive.. damnn..

Blue_Sky

October 19th, 2006, 10:45 AM

btw..

what means "BALI **the island of God***" ?? which God do u mean ??

Klo diterjemahkan dalam bahasa Indonesia jadinya Bali Pulau Dewata
God disini diartikan sebagai dewa

F-ian

December 21st, 2006, 05:41 AM

Bali Gets High Marks in Australian Safety Audit

One of Australia's leading private security companies, SNP Security, recently completed an intensive four-day safety audit of Bali and its tourism industry that tracked significant improvements in the Island's approach to safety and security.

The Managing Director of SNP Security, Tom Roche, said Bali today is in a visibly and vastly more improved security situation than ever before.

SNP Security was commissioned to conduct the audit by the Sydney-based Public Affairs company S2i Communications who are seeking to quantify claims of security improvements in Bali.

S2i CEO, Wayne Tregaskis, insisted that any revised assessments of security in Bali must be based on tangible facts. "Any claims of Bali being a safe destination for travelers to visit, needs to be treated seriously and the security audit was one such way of doing that," said Tregaskis.

"What the SNP Security audit has provided is evidence that it is an appropriate time for Bali to resume its place on the list of desirable holiday destinations for Australians," he added.

Continuing, "it has also provided an opportunity for those promoting the island to do so with a higher degree of confidence in relation to safety and security matters."

"Certainly travelers everywhere need to maintain a higher level of security consciousness than they did prior to 9/11, but Bali can no longer be singled out as being any less secure than any of the other destinations of the world such as London, New York or Madrid."

JAG2

December 21st, 2006, 11:42 AM

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/4778/discoverymallbali2006ia4.jpg

I hope you like it , don t know where to put this picture.

paw25694

December 21st, 2006, 12:17 PM

^^ is it the discovery mall?

JAG2

December 21st, 2006, 12:37 PM

yes it is.:)

paw25694

December 21st, 2006, 05:57 PM

^^ i really like the sculpture.. twisting things.. do you have any pictures of nirwan golf course? the best in asia?

XxRyoChanxX

December 22nd, 2006, 01:00 AM

awww BALI!!! it's the BEST

JAG2

December 22nd, 2006, 01:25 AM

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/2181/discoverymallbali2cs5.jpg

F-ian

December 22nd, 2006, 02:26 AM

where are all the people? :(^^

Mahaputra

December 22nd, 2006, 03:35 AM

Bali Bali Bali.. counting the days ..
ill be there on the 9th till 14th..
cant waiitt...

JAG2

December 22nd, 2006, 11:26 AM

http://img336.imageshack.us/img336/3491/discoverymallbali3ni4.jpg

JAG2

December 22nd, 2006, 11:28 AM

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3596/cimg2131lk8.jpg

paw25694

December 24th, 2006, 09:13 AM

the twisting sculpture in Discovery Shopping Mall, Kuta, Bali.. (looked like a 3d design eh.. heheheh)
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/5660/pb020186yi8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

paw25694

December 24th, 2006, 09:15 AM

^^ sorry it's blury

Zorobabel

January 17th, 2007, 10:09 AM

Palasari Catholic Church - A mixture of Balinese and Gothic architecture.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/subali/2407.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/subali/2432.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/subali/2414.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/subali/2418.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/subali/2401.jpg

Alvin

April 11th, 2007, 10:21 AM

Garuda Wisnu diminta rampung Oktober 2008

JAKARTA: Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono berharap pembangunan kawasan wisata budaya Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) senilai Rp2,5 triliun di Bali dapat rampung pada Oktober 2008.
Target tersebut bersamaan dengan pagelaran Festival Seni Budaya Internasional (World Culture Festival) di Pulau Dewata itu. Pada saat itu, diperkirakan semua perhatian dunia, khususnya penikmat seni dan budaya akan tertuju ke Indonesia.

"Presiden berharap pada Oktober 2008, pembangunan GWK sudah selesai," ujar Menteri Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata Jero Wacik, seusai bertemu Presiden SBY, di Kantor Kepresidenan Jakarta, kemarin.

Di tempat yang sama, Ketua Yayasan GWK Made Mangku Pastika mengatakan dengan kondisi saat ini target tersebut sulit tercapai. Namun, dia menilai masih memungkinkan dicapai jika mendapatkan dukungan dari investor dalam negeri dan perbankan nasional.

Saat ini, jelasnya, pihaknya sedang menyusun konsep pendanaan lanjutan untuk mempercepat pembangunan GWK, termasuk sarana prasarana pendukungnya. "Dengan adanya dukungan perbankan dengan pola pendanaan baik, target itu akan bisa dicapai," ujarnya.

Dia memaparkan pembangunan GWK membutuhkan dana sebesar Rp2,5 triliun, yaitu sekitar Rp1,25 triliun untuk membangun patung, bangunan di sekitar patung dan beberapa lokasi pertemuan atau panggung.

Sisanya, jelasnya, untuk membangun sarana dan prasarana pendukung, seperti hotel dan infrastruktur pariwisata lainnya.

Sejauh ini, tambahnya, dari sisi teknis, pembangunan GWK sudah mencapai 15% dari target. Sedangkan dari sisi konstruksi sudah mencapai 42%.

Mengenai peluang bisnis GWK untuk menarik kerja sama perbankan, dia memastikan sangat layak dari sisi bisnis. Dengan rampungnya GWK, dia menargetkan jumlah pengunjung dari dalam dan luar negeri akan mencapai minimal 10.000 orang per hari.

Target ini, menurut dia, sangat realistis mengingat dengan kondisi GWK saat ini, kunjungan wisatawan mencapai 2.000 per hari sampai 3.000 per hari.

Dari jumlah kunjungan wisatawan saja, jelasnya, pemasukan kawasan GWK mampu memenuhi kebutuhan operasional dan melanjutkan pembangunan yang belum selesai secara bertahap.

Padahal, tambahnya, sejauh ini GWK belum banyak dimanfaatkan untuk menggelar konser-konser kebudayaan dan seni berskala besar.

Terkait hal itu, dia menilai ke depan tidak akan sulit mendapatkan dukungan dari perbankan, setelah ada pola pendanaan yang disusun PT Garuda Adi Matra Indonesia (pengelola GWK).

"GWK sangat menguntungkan dari sisi bisnis. Saya rasa ini yang menjadi alasan utama perbankan berpartisipasi dari sisi pendanaan," ujarnya.

Turut hadir pada pertemuan itu, Gubernur Bali, mantan Menteri Kebudayaan, Pariwisata Joop Ave, dan pematung Nyoman Nuarta. Selain membahas tentang GWK, pertemuan itu juga membicarakan persiapan konferensi perubahan iklim global (Climate Change Conference) di Bali Desember 2007.

Oleh Erna S. U. Girsang & Gajah Kusumo
Bisnis Indonesia

F-ian

April 11th, 2007, 10:25 AM

so its not finished in May? yahhh :( gak bertepatan ama hari Kebangkitan dong....

sanhen

April 11th, 2007, 04:38 PM

Masih ada hari TNI tanggal 5 Oktober sama Sumpah Pemuda 28 Oktober hehehe (bener ga sih? gua udah lupa2 inget sama tanggal2nya).

Hadi

May 16th, 2007, 02:24 PM

INFO DETIL PAKET PEKERJAAN
Tahun Anggaran: 2007
Kode Paket Pekerjaan: 466606
Nama Paket Pekerjaan: Penyusunan Rencana Teknis Angkutan Jalan Perkotaan
Nama Sub Paket Pekerjaan: Belanja Modal Fisik Lainnya
Nama Pekerjaan: Studi Pengoperasian Angkutan Massal Perkotaan di Denpasar
Unit Kerja: DIREKTORAT BINA SISTEM TRANPORTASI PERKOTAAN
Satuan Kerja: Pengembangan Lalulintas Perkotaan
Lokasi: Jakarta
Pagu Dana: Rp. 800.000.000.-
Sumber Dana: APBN/APBD
Bidang Pekerjaan: Jasa Konsultan
Metoda Pemilihan: Seleksi Umum
Metoda Evaluasi: Metoda Evaluasi Biaya Terendah
Metoda Penyampaian: Dua Sampul
Waktu Pendaftaran: 12/02/2007 s/d 21/02/2007
Alamat Lelang: Dit. BSTP, Gedung Karya, LT.10, Jl. Merdeka Barat No.8, Jakarta Pusat
Keterangan Lain: 1. mengisi daftar isian dalam dokumen prakualifikasi yang telah disediakan 2. kualifikasi disesuaikan dengan bidang dan nilai pekerjaan; 3. Pendaftaran dilakukan oleh Direktur/Pimpinan Badan Usaha atau yang dikuasakan, dengan membawa surat kuasa yang ditandatangani oleh Direktur Utama, Berkop dan Bersetempel perusahaan serta bermatrai Rp.6000.- 4. Menyerahkan fotocopy Akta Pendirian Perubahan terakhirnya, SIUP, NPWP

copied from http://www.hubdat.go.id/hubdatnew/index.php?option=com_projects&task=viewpengumuman&id=132&Itemid=82

maaf sebetulnya tempatnya bukan disini cuman denpasar belum punya kayaknya, jadi gua masukin di bali, kan sama... heuheuhe maaf

Surakarta

May 16th, 2007, 07:16 PM

Indonesia akan Sewakan Pulau Kecil

Jakarta (Bali Post) -
Pemerintah Indonesia c.q. Departemen Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata (Depbudpar) dengan Yunani melakukan kerja sama pengembangan pariwisata di pulau-pulau kecil. Sebagai tahap awal kerja sama itu akan dituangkan dalam nota kesepahaman (MoU). Diharapkan dengan kerja sama ini, Indonesia bisa menjual pariwisata pulau-pulau kecil yang jumlahnya mencapai ribuan yang tersebar dari Sabang sampai Marauke.

''Kita ingin belajar banyak dari pemerintah Yunani, mengingat negara di kawasan Eropa Selatan ini sudah lama dikenal sebagai negara yang berhasil mengembangkan pariwisata pulau kecil dengan cara menyewakan kepada para investor. Dan, penandatanganan MoU dilakukan Selasa (15/5), dan yang mewakili pemerintah Indonesia yakni Sekretaris Jenderal Depbudpar Sapta Nirwandar,'' kata Kahumas Depbudpar Turman Siagian di Jakarta, Selasa (15/5) kemarin.

Selain berhasil mengembangkan pola sewa untuk pengelolaan pariwisata di pulau-pulau kecil, negara itu juga dinilai berhasil dalam hal penggunaan energi serta menjaga lingkungan alam di pulau kecil. Pulau-pulau kecil di Yunani dikembangkan dengan mengedepankan pelestarian lingkungan. Dalam hal penggunaan energi, mereka memakai tenaga angin serta matahari, sehingga sangat cocok untuk kondisi di Indonesia.

Dikatakannya, selain Yunani, pariwisata di pulau-pulau kecil juga berhasil dikembangkan oleh negara Maladewa (Maldive). Di negara yang mayoritas penduduknya muslim itu, Maldive dinilai berhasil dalam menyejahterakan rakyatnya melalui kegiatan pariwisata di pulau-pulau kecil mereka. 'Maldive berhasil menjual pariwisata di pulau-pulau kecil dengan mengandalkan keindahan pantai dan alamnya yang sunyi. Suasana sunyi ini ternyata banyak diminati wisatawan. Untuk datang ke sana mereka harus antre dan rela membayar mahal, kenapa kita tidak bisa mengembangkan seperti itu,'' tandasnya.

Ditambahkannya, sebelum melakukan MoU dengan Yunani, Indonesia sudah melakukan studi banding di negara Fiji, di Kepulauan Pasifik yang juga dikenal sangat bagus dalam mengelola pulau-pulau kecil untuk pariwisata. ''Namun untuk manajemen pengelolaan pariwisata pulau-pulau kecil yang lebih baik adalah Yunani,'' sambung Turman. (034)

tata

May 19th, 2007, 10:22 AM

Hotel di Bali Dipenuhi Wisatawan Domestik
Sabtu, 19 Mei 2007 | 07:39 WIB

TEMPO Interaktif, Denpasar:
Liburan akhir pekan yang cukup panjang membawa berkah bagi hotel-hotel di Bali. Tingkat hunian melonjak antara 80-100 %, dan dipenuhi oleh para wisatawan domestik.

Naiknya tingkat hunian ini sangat signifikan, mengingat rata-rata pada bulan Mei yang biasanya hanya berkisar sampai 40 % saja. Menurut Marketing Communications Hard Rock Hotel Bali Dewi Banowati, lonjakan pemesanan kamar untuk long weekend sudah mulai sejak 2 minggu
lalu.

“Kebanyakan dari Jakarta dan Surabaya,” ujarnya, Sabtu (19/5). Para tamu itu mulai checkin sejak Kamis dan akan checkout pada Minggu (20/5)
siang.

Ketua Perhimpunan hotel dan Restoran Indonesia (PHRI) Kabupaten Badung, yang membawahi wulayah Kuta dan Nusa Dua, Perry Markus, menyebutkan adanya libur panjang di akhir pekan ini sangat signifikan mendongkrak kunjungan ke Bali. Tahun ini, berkah itu pun terasa sangat merata. "Hotel-hotel kelas melati pun penuh karena bertepatan pula dengan musim karyawisata dari anak-anak SMU."

Tingkat belanja wisatawan domestik, menurut Perry, memang sangat beragam. Tetapi untuk mereka yang datang berpasangan atau bersama keluarga, sebenarnya tidak kalah dengan wisatawan asing. “Ada juga yang lebih royal,” katanya.

Ia mengatakan saat ini tidak ada lagi hotel yang membedakan perlakuan mereka terhadap wisatawan asing dan pelancong dari negeri sendiri. "Tamu-tamu karyawisata pun tetap diperlukan oleh pariwisata Bali, terutama untuk hotel-hotel dan fasilitas yang sejak awal ditujukan bagi mereka."

Di luar wisatawan dalam negeri, tingkat kunjungan ke Bali sebenarnya sudah lumayan tinggi. Untuk bulan Mei, wisatawan Jepang yang mendominasi, karena
bertepatan dengan musim liburan di Negara Matahari Terbit itu. “Rata-rata sudah 4 ribuan wisatawan asing yang datang,“ kata Markus mengutip data kedatangan
orang asing di kantor imigrasi bandara Ngurah Rai. Rofiqi Hasan

Alvin

May 19th, 2007, 11:41 AM

The hotels are full, but the beaches have to be evacuated because of the unusually massive waves...poor tourists...another blow for Indonesian tourism. but as I gather, most tourists who visit this long weekend are domestic and regional (malaysia/sing) tourists, so perhaps it's not soo bad.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Massive waves pound beaches in Bali, Java

The Jakarta Post, Bandung, Yogyakarta

Massive waves have pounded Indonesia's coastlines since Thursday destroying fishing boats and shacks and creating widespread panic in Bali where thousands of tourists are holidaying for the long weekend, Reuters said Friday.

The weather pattern is unusual and not in-line with annual forecasts, officials said. No casualties have been recorded to-date.

Parts of the southern coast of Java island and Sukabumi area in West Java have been affected by water coming into villages and forcing residents to evacuate.

Weather officials have warned fishermen against sailing off southern Java and authorities have forbidden people from surfing at Kuta beach until the weather subsides.

Some officials and media reports have referred to the weather phenomenon as a regular set of tidal waves that have been exaggerated because the moon is in line with the sun, Reuters said.

Waves as high as four and five meters have struck Bali's Jimbaran resort area, destroying more than 100 fishing boats and forcing the popular restaurant strip to be evacuated.

At Kuta beach in Bali, three- and four-meter-high waves also forced tourists to desert the area.

The Water Tourism Safety Agency office in Bali asked its workers on Friday to take special preventive measures because the waves were expected to continue into Sunday.

"We are working hard. We have fielded 80 workers to keep tourists from coming to the beach," Bali's water safety agency coordinator I Made Suparka told Antara.

"Many of the workers will keep their eyes on tourists using 12 towers along the 20-km Bali beach."

The guards have also asked vendors selling food, beverages and handicrafts to abandon the beaches and avoid the dangerous waves.

Bali Police spokesman Sr. Comr. AS Reniban told marine tourism operators and all fishermen to stay out of sea.

On Friday the waves destroyed fishing houses on Kedongan and Jimbaran beaches in Bali, as well as other houses and food stalls in the popular Pangandaran beach in Ciamis, West Java.

The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency in Bandung, West Java has asked tourists spending the long weekend in the area to avoid beaches.

Agency head Hendri Subakti said the tidal waves might reach as far as 100 meters inland and would continue for the next three days.

The tides have struck West Java southern coastal areas, from Sukabumi to Pangandaran, damaging hundreds of food stalls, kiosks and houses.

Much damage has been recorded at Pelabuhan Ratu beach in Sukabumi.

Hendri said hundreds of kiosks on the beach, which is located 160 km from Bandung, were swept away by the four-meter-high waves.

"We have asked tourists and fishermen to abandon the sea to avoid casualties," Hendri said.

"This is dangerous because we had no indication the waves would strike."

Hendri however offered another explanation for the tidal waves. He said they were a natural phenomenon and an accumulation of monsoon weather near the Indian Ocean adjacent to Australia.

He said the wind associated with the weather had reached speeds of 25 knots per hour.

Nana Sukarna of the Sukabumi regency disaster mitigation coordination unit said 61 houses and food stalls in Pelabuhan Ratu beach had been swept away by the tides.

"Currently, hundreds of families have been evacuated to the representative office of Pelabuhan Ratu regent," Nana said.

In southern Garut, the tides have damaged 13 houses, according to Garut Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Eko Budi Sampurno.

"The sea suddenly rose and reached 100 meters inland," he said.

In Yogyakarta's Samas beach, two-meter-high waves have destroyed more than 10 houses and food stalls, as well as damaging approximately 60 fishing boats.

Head of Yogyakarta's Samas beach fishermen association, Rudjito, told The Jakarta Post on Friday the waves had made people panic.

"There were no strong winds or any storm -- but suddenly the waves struck.

"This kind of phenomenon is the first I've experienced ever. Nature is no longer friendly," he said.

Violent waves have also made tourists abandon West Sumatra's busy beach in Padang since Thursday, with the seawater flooding roads located 10 meters away from the beach.

-- Syofiardi Bachyul Jb. contributed to the story from Padang, West Sumatra.

rilham2new

May 19th, 2007, 07:35 PM

^^ not only happened in BALI, but all beaches across SOUTH-Java Coast .... :( ,

This anomaly caused by The weather changes in AUSTRALIA....

sanhen

May 22nd, 2007, 06:40 PM

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/02/pocket-softcore/

This is a 'pocket' movie player from 1952. See movie no 1? Remind you this is from 1952.

Blue_Sky

June 26th, 2007, 06:20 AM

Pictures of recent Beckham's visit to Yogyakarta and Bali

http://i8.tinypic.com/6fzejk9.jpg

http://i17.tinypic.com/4orc9zn.jpg

rilham2new

June 26th, 2007, 07:50 AM

^^ tuh kan, ternyata benerrr..... Kawan2ku yang d Malaysia pada gak percaya :) ... heheheuhe

Blue_Sky

June 26th, 2007, 10:31 AM

Ini bukan pertama kali Beckham ke Indonesia
Beberapa tahun yg lalu sempat ke Bali dan foto nya pernah di post di sini
Cuma lupa di thread mana

peseg5

June 26th, 2007, 07:19 PM

Let DB and his family enjoy traveling in Indonesia without any disturbance from press, paparazzi, or over enthusiastic fans...

If we do that, I'm sure the Beckham's would be happy to stay here someday. And it becomes disguised promotion for Indonesia tourism too.

Btw, who has bought AFC Cup ticket already?

rilham2new

June 27th, 2007, 02:39 AM

Hehehe, I'm just wondering which world-class celebrity who ever been Indonesia before :) ...anybody knows..

Blue_Sky

June 27th, 2007, 04:24 AM

That would be a long list ;)

XxRyoChanxX

June 27th, 2007, 09:36 PM

wasn't it Michael Jackson the one who wanted to buy Bali....long time ago?

JAG2

June 28th, 2007, 12:30 PM

Victoria looks very happy with her smile .

rilham2new

June 28th, 2007, 12:47 PM

maybe she was a lil bit comfortable when her pink-bra were revealed on the photo ... (u shud concentrate on the photo, why I said IT IS PINK) :D :D

Fir3blaze

June 28th, 2007, 04:08 PM

Victoria looks very happy with her smile .

LOL :lol:

sanhen

July 11th, 2007, 05:06 AM

Bali is selected as world no.1 island by Travel + Leisure magazine (again).

This is not just any other poll - Travel+Leisure magazine is amongst the most respected poll in tourism industry due to their rigorous method.

Details here:
http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2007/results.cfm?cat=islands

And congratulations to Thailand for getting a lot of top places!

XxRyoChanxX

July 11th, 2007, 05:10 AM

that's awesome!

I'm so0o happy

paw25694

July 11th, 2007, 06:22 AM

nice Bali! :D:D

singaporegirl

July 11th, 2007, 02:57 PM

paw25694

July 12th, 2007, 02:41 PM

^^ hehe.. i red somewhere that they're gonna make a new airport (?)

materialistus

July 13th, 2007, 10:24 AM

i'm so pleased to hear that my adopted home is elected as the number 1 island again. now we have to do something about ngurah rai airport. it's time to update the whole airport! the dps airport is the first thing that visitors see and right now it looks a little bit "kasihan" lah!

i think it's charming.

most people come to bali for holiday. and the airport have the right atmosphere to represent that. building a modern glass structured airport like changi, suvarnabhumi, kl, or the new winf og manila is a NO NO!! imagine you land in bali with the business-like identi-kit airport that look like anywhere in the world : with the jetlag, 'am i in kingsford smith? am i in seattle? am i in copenhagen???'

they just have to re-design for the natural lights to come in. it's dark and dingy inside. plus, the energy wasted for the lighting 24/7 while there's so much sun outside. how un-sustainable.

Surakarta

July 13th, 2007, 10:48 AM

Go..bali bali go....but where is hotel from Indonesia ? nope one got top 100 ?
BVlgary bali ? Four Seasson ubud ?

paw25694

July 13th, 2007, 10:49 AM

@ materialistus
no no! dont make Bali airport modern. make it traditional, with gamelan sounds everywhere (live action better lah), kasih patung2, flowers, greeneries, sunroof etc.. :D:D more lightings, it'll be creepy if dark.

materialistus

July 13th, 2007, 11:05 AM

Go..bali bali go....but where is hotel from Indonesia ? nope one got top 100 ?
BVlgary bali ? Four Seasson ubud ?

One of the best hotels in Asia is the Alila Group. They're Indonesian owned and more sophisticated than usual 4 stars like Four Season, etc. Most of their clientele are Japanese or design oriented European. They're the only Indonesian and one of the few Asian own group to make it to 'design hotels of the world'. Their swimming pool in Ubud was one of the best pool in the world. They don't really advertise, but then they don't need to.

This is not promotion and I have no business connection whatsoever with them, but yea, just check their website.

JAG2

July 13th, 2007, 02:53 PM

One of the best hotels in Asia is the Alila Group. They're Indonesian owned and more sophisticated than usual 4 stars like Four Season, etc. Most of their clientele are Japanese or design oriented European. They're the only Indonesian and one of the few Asian own group to make it to 'design hotels of the world'. Their swimming pool in Ubud was one of the best pool in the world. They don't really advertise, but then they don't need to.

This is not promotion and I have no business connection whatsoever with them, but yea, just check their website.

I agree what you said , I ve stayed once at this hotel for 5 days and I like it very much.

singaporegirl

July 13th, 2007, 05:31 PM

i think it's charming.

most people come to bali for holiday. and the airport have the right atmosphere to represent that. building a modern glass structured airport like changi, suvarnabhumi, kl, or the new winf og manila is a NO NO!! imagine you land in bali with the business-like identi-kit airport that look like anywhere in the world : with the jetlag, 'am i in kingsford smith? am i in seattle? am i in copenhagen???'

i never said they should build something ultra modern for bali. they should build a 'modern' airport with balinese feel. for eg. there are tons of new modern balinese architecture throughout the island now, from most of the amanresorts, alila hotels, the bale, ku de ta etc. they sport that clean and modern balinese architecture.

http://members.aol.com/siagirl/DS_view.gif
http://members.aol.com/siagirl/facesevening.gif
http://members.aol.com/siagirl/lobby_1.gif
http://members.aol.com/siagirl/mainpool4.gif
http://members.aol.com/siagirl/single5.gif
http://members.aol.com/siagirl/viewfaces.gif
http://members.aol.com/siagirl/viewpool1.gif
http://members.aol.com/siagirl/walkwaylib.gif

as you can see from the enclosed photos, you can have a modern design without looking glass and steel 'cold'. when you see the photos, do you think you're in seattle or copenhagen? no, you're in bali. you're in a clean and modern environment and yet still has that very charming balinese feel to it. i'm a stewardess for a living and have been to numerous airports on the planet, and i have to tell you that ngurah rai does have strong balinese identity but 'feels' a little on the third world side.

singaporegirl

July 13th, 2007, 05:50 PM

i don't know why the images wouldn't show. i did the http:.... thing and it didn't work :( never mind. i figured it out. thought i should add a view more photos of modern balinese architecture

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/488521883_0e7319774b.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/324851386_4a02369810.jpg?v=0
http://www.alilahotels.com/images/upload/articles/images/AUpool2.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/119953826_a229432e33.jpg?v=0

XxRyoChanxX

July 13th, 2007, 08:51 PM

thanks for sharing those pics..lovely hotels

materialistus

July 16th, 2007, 04:50 PM

FOR SINGAPOREGIRL :

Geez!!! with all those pictures, now you make me 'home'sick. or 'holiday'sick more like!!! Alila, Kudeta, Seminjak....

Yea, i get your point. And I do agree. The current airport just need a bit of 'rejuvenation'. 'Glass and steel' definitely ruled out! The photos you showed me are 'Glass and woods'.

So, let's get WoHa of Singapore to do the airport. and restrict the central government of most of the desicion making. with their interference, we'll get a tacky ugly cut-corners airport at the cost of Heathrow Terminal 5, which will accentuate the 3rd world-ness of Indonesia.

paradyto

July 17th, 2007, 12:11 PM

10 Hari Larangan UE, Pariwisata Bali Malah Menggembirakan

DENPASAR - Pemberlakuan larangan terbang (flight ban) bagi maskapai Indonesia ke Eropa yang sudah berlangsung 10 hari, ternyata belum memberi dampak bagi pariwisata Bali.

Yang menggembirakan, kedatangan turis kawasan Eropa ke Pulau Dewata malah cenderung meningkat.

Kepala Dinas Pariwisata Bali, Gde Nurjaya mengatakan, dampak itu mungkin baru akan terlihat pada tiga sampai enam bulan mendatang.

"Ini karena kegiatan liburan mereka sudah dirancang jauh-jauh hari sebelumnya, sehingga saat ini belum ada pengaruhnya," sebut Nurjaya pada dengar pendapat di DPRD Bali, Jalan Kusuma Atmadja, Denpasar, Selasa (17/7/2007).

Data Dinas Pariwisata Bali menunjukkan, jumlah kedatangan wisatawan mancanegara terus meningkat. Hingga Juni, kunjungan turis Eropa mencapai 180 ribu orang atau meningkat 21 persen dibanding hingga bulan yang sama tahun lalu.

Kedatangan turis Asia Pasifik mencapai 180 ribu orang atau naik 42 persen dibanding hingga bulan yang sama tahun lalu. Begitu juga jumlah turis dari Amerika Serikat, naik 12 persen dari 32 ribu menjadi 38 ribu orang.

Ketua Persatuan Hotel dan Restoran (PHRI) Bali Cok Sukawati juga membenarkan sampai saat ini belum ada pengaruh terkait larangan UE. Tingkat hunian hotel, kata dia, rata-rata masih berkisar antara 60-80 persen. (miftachul chusna/sindo/jri)

paw25694

July 17th, 2007, 12:37 PM

thats nice. hope EU removes the ban soon ~ and Indonesian airliners get better :ohno:

paradyto

July 18th, 2007, 01:19 AM

Hope so...

Surakarta

July 31st, 2007, 08:24 PM

Davenport to return to singles in Bali
Eurosport - Tue, 31 Jul 18:26:00 2007
Former world number one Lindsay Davenport will return to singles action at the WTA event in Bali in September, it has been announced.

More StoriesA brief history of the comeback
Eurospout: Lindsay's comeback
Davenport quit the Tour at the end of 2006 due to pregnancy, having already missed much of the season with a back injury.

At the time Davenport, who gave birth to son Jagger in early June, said she could not imagine playing again.

But the three time grand slam winner has gradually backtracked, first agreeing to play in a World Team Tennis match, before announcing that she would be playing doubles, with fellow American Lisa Raymond at New Haven in August, and now singles at the event in Bali which she won in 2005.

"I'm excited to be playing Bali once again," the 31-year-old said. "It's such a beautiful environment and everyone is so friendly and supportive of all the players.

"It's always a great week and a lot of fun. I've really enjoyed playing the tournament in the past and feel it's the perfect place for me to begin playing singles again."

Davenport, who has not competed on the WTA Tour since reaching the Beijing quarter finals in September 2006, is ninth on the all-time list having won 51 titles since turning pro in 1993.

While she won the gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, it took Davenport until 1998 to win her first major, defeating the then 17-year-old Martina Hingis 6-3 7-5 in the US Open final.

The American then went on to beat Steffi Graf in the 1999 Wimbledon final, a year she also won the women's doubles title with friend Corina Morariu, before capturing the Australian Open the following year, again defeating Martina Hingis, this time 6-1 7-5.

Davenport then began struggling with injury but managed to win 13 tournaments during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Her 4-6 7-6 9-7 loss to Venus Williams in the 2005 Wimbledon final is the longest championship match in the tournament's history.

But her return to the Tour will not be an easy one as world number three Jelena Jankovic, Daniela Hantuchova and Patty Schnyder are all already confirmed as entrants in Bali, where Davenport is defending doubles champion along with Morariu.

Pippa Davis / Eurosport

F-ian

August 1st, 2007, 10:32 AM

World Leading Writer Says Bali is Safe

One of the world's leading travel writers has emerged from trips to Australia and Bali bemused at the huge difference between the fears about Bali often generated in this country and the exquisitely rich and tranquil experiences of those who actually visit there.

Pico Iyer, author of eight books whose articles are published worldwide in magazines such as Time, the New York Times and the Financial Times. says he encountered superb security, among the best in Asia, and "Aussies who couldn't believe that so many of their friends and neighbors were staying at home".

He also found the island was bustling and crowded with visitors from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and other parts of Asia while many Australians missed out on the attractions of one of the top destinations in the world.

"The island struck me as far safer than Los Angeles, where I maintain a home, or Delhi, which I visited soon afterwards, or New York, or carjack-filled London, or most of the places I visit.

http://www.my-indonesia.info/page.php?ic=7&id=2709

XxRyoChanxX

August 1st, 2007, 11:13 PM

^ yay for bali! :)

Surakarta

August 6th, 2007, 10:49 AM

Banyak Wisman Tak Kebagian Tiket Pesawat ke Bali

Denpasar (ANTARA News) - Daerah tujuan wisata Pulau Bali yang dinobatkan sebagai Pulau Terbaik di Dunia oleh "Trevel+Leasure", sebuah majalah pariwisata terkemuka di Amerika Serikat, berdampak positif terhadap kunjungan wisatawan mancanegara di daerah ini.

"Banyak wisatawan dari berbagai negara tidak kebagian tempat duduk di pesawat untuk berlibur ke Bali," kata Ketua DPD Asita Bali, Al Purwa, di Denpasar, Senin.

Ia mengatakan pariwisata Bali secara berangsur-angsur sudah pulih, pasca tragedi bom Bali 2002 dan 2005.

"Kunjungan wisman sudah normal, namun terjadi pergeseran asal pelancong yang berkunjung ke Bali," ujar Al Purwa.

Pasaran utama pariwisata Bali sebelum tragedi bom Bali adalah Eropa, Amerika, Jepang, dan Australia, namun sekarang kebanyakan berasal dari negara-negara di kawasan Asia.

Wisatawan asal Asia lama kunjungannya hanya berkisar empat hari dan tingkat daya belinya yang masih rendah.

Sedangkan negara asal Eropa, Amerika Serikat dan Jepang berkisar 14 hari dengan tingkat pengeluaran rata-rata 120 dolar AS per hari.

"Dari jumlah kunjungan wisman sudah baik, namun belum begitu besar pengaruhnya dalam menggerakkan ekonomi Bali," ujar Al Purwa.

Kepala Dinas Pariwisata Bali, Drs I Gede Nurjaya, dalam kesempatan terpisah juga mengakui, banyaknya kegiatan konperensi bertaraf internasional yang digelar di Bali hingga akhir 2007 dan 2008 menyebabkan penerbangan asing yang langsung terbang ke Bali kelebihan penumpang.

Penerbangan asing yang langsung ke Bali baru berasal dari tujuh negara, sementara peserta konperensi dan wisatawan yang ingin berlibur ke Pulau Dewata berasal dari hampir semua negara di belahan dunia.

Penerbangan asing yang melayani jalur langsung ke Bali antara lain Singapura, Thailand, Hongkong, Jepang, Taiwan, China dan Australia.

"Bahkan penerbangan langsung dari China ke Bali berdasarkan informasi dari pihak Garuda sudah penuh hingga Agustus mendatang," ujar Nurjaya.

Kunjungan wisman ke Bali selama enam bulan periode Januari-Juni 2007 tercatat 746.319 orang, meningkat 34,92 persen dibanding periode yang sama tahun sebelumnya 553.159 orang.

Bali dalam tahun ini diharapkan mampu menggaet 1,5 juta wisman, meningkat dari tahun sebelumnya 1,3 juta wisman. (*)

Copyright © 2007 ANTARA

Alibaba

August 6th, 2007, 01:13 PM

Hello Semua

This is my second trip to Bali this year.... yeah I am under the influence of Bali's magical spell

This time I only spent around Seminyak area - its just 30 minutes from Airport

As I am creature of urban comfort - Seminyak fits my idea of holiday
http://www.wilsana.com.au/seminyak.htm

This area has grown and built up so much and now offer the best of Bali without the need to go elsewhere.... what I mean though the best of Urban Bali - whilst the best of natural Bali - you need to stay in beautiful hill resort of Ubud or the East coast....

We stayed in a luxury private villa - Sesari Bali - with its own pool, chef to cook our breakfast and other comfortable amenities...
http://www.sesaribali.com/

Bali now boasts worldclass restaurants - yes - this is the most important aspects of our holiday - good cuisine!

We had most of lunches at the KUDETA restaurant - it offers fantastic food - with its New Zealand chef - i think its food is one of the best in the island.
http://www.kudeta.net/ or http://www.frommers.com/destinations/kuta/D48555.html

Kudate is also the place to spend the whole day and nite in its groovy bar - with fine selections of cocktails and wines... and It appears successful in attracting the islands most glamourous and beautiful bodies as well....!
The music was also soo soothing and sexy - and also the day bed are so comfy - i was ther most of the time - just soaking the sun and ambiences --- aaah.. dont want to move whilst you are in it

Other places to visit for its great food are
Hu'u bar and restaurant - for its refined services and cuisine (modern fussion)
http://www.huubali.com/

Kafe Warisan for hearty and traditional French cuisine
http://www.kafewarisan.com/links.htm

Breeze restaurant for cool view and good food
http://www.thesamayabali.com/dining/

and the legendary La Lucciola - with its fantastic view and good Italian cuisines
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/kuta/D48556.html

It is good to find that the services were all of high standard and professional with extensive wine selections and
the foods are tasty and presentable. The prices are also reasonable (Aust $120 - 190 for 2 people for dinner ) also gives additional values

Those restaurants listed were equal or better than some of Melbourne finest restaurants ... yeah I am in heaven!

Some of photos from the trip

my Bali villa

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010040.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010041.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010047.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010006.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010039.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010072.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010073.jpg

My villa has interesting and spacious Balinese outdoor shower & bath ....

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010016.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010014.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010017.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010015.jpg

Lunch at Breeze rest

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010088.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010052.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010062.jpg

Hip Kudeta restaurant and Bar

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010096.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010100.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010109.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010098.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010104.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010117.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010122.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010094.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010099.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010132.jpg

Bali magical Sunset at Kudeta

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010131.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010129.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010127.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010124.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/Bali/P1010123.jpg

Hope you enjoy the photos

Surakarta

August 6th, 2007, 01:16 PM

Nice foto Aladin sorry Alibaba, next time maybe you invite there..

Alibaba

August 6th, 2007, 01:27 PM

^^ thanks !

we will go to Bali again next July! love it

VRS

August 6th, 2007, 02:43 PM

fantastic.. picture...

rilham2new

August 7th, 2007, 01:25 PM

^^ Nice FOTO ALIBABA .... ehehehe, Is that really you ( the only guy in some photos) ??? :D :D :D

XxRyoChanxX

August 8th, 2007, 01:38 AM

so nice!
thanks for sharing :)

J`Town

August 8th, 2007, 03:42 AM

thanks Alibaba for sharing, beautiful pictures!

Does anyone here have pictures of Bounty Club? I heard it's really popular there

paradyto

August 8th, 2007, 07:42 AM

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) - A number of Balinese handicraft producers will take part in a grand trade exhibition to be held in West Australia next month, an official said.

"We always give a chance to enterpreneurs to take part in overseas expos in order to expand the markets for our products," Ni Wayan Kusumawathi, head of the foreign trade division at the Bali trade office, said on Wednesday.

Among the handicraft goods to be displayed in the expo would be jewelries and garments, she said.

The expo will be organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra.

Alibaba

August 8th, 2007, 12:04 PM

^^ Nice FOTO ALIBABA .... ehehehe, Is that really you ( the only guy in some photos) ??? :D :D :D

yes.. that is me... why?

Surakarta

August 8th, 2007, 12:33 PM

Minat Orang Asing Atas Resort dan Vila di Bali Amat Tinggi

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Minat orang asing membeli tempat-tempat peristirahatan, seperti resort dan vila, di Bali ternyata sangat tinggi, sekalipun harga yang ditawarkan para pengembang atau developer cukup mahal.

"Kami melihat sangat besarnya kecenderungan orang-orang asing untuk membeli resort dan vila di Bali," kata General Manajer Pemasaran PT Rajawali Corpora, Aswin Juniardi, kepada pers di Jakarta, Selasa malam, ketika menjelaskan pemasaran resort di Bali yang merupakan hasil kerja sama dengan St Regis Resort and Residence.

Aswin Widjarnako mengatakan proyek resort dan hotel mewah ini yang dibangun di kawasan Nusa Dua akan beroperasi mulai Juli 2008.

Ia memberi contoh bahwa harga vila yang akan dibangunnya itu bisa mencapai 650.000 hingga 1,2 juta dolar AS. Sebagai perbandingan, harga vila sejenis di Hongkong serta Singapura bisa mencapai 2,3 juta dolar tiap unitnya.

"Dulu harga tanah di kawasan Nusa Dua ini hanya mencapai Rp1 juta per meter persegi. Tapi sekarang harganya sudah melonjak hingga Ro5 juta tiap meter perseginya," kata Aswin.

Sementara itu, Direktur Pelaksana yang merangkap Chief Corporate Officer PT Rajawali Corpora, YW Junardy, mengemukakan St Regis Resort dan Residences ini menempati wilayah eksklusif lahan kepemilikan terakhir atau last piece seluas 300 ha milik Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) yang bersebelahan langsung dengan sebuah lapangan golf terkemuka di Bali.

Junardy menjelaskan pula St Regis Resort and Residences di Nusa Dua Bali ini hadir dengan vila yang memiliki kolam renang pribadi, residence dan hotel suite yang dikelola Starwood Hotels and Resort Worldwide Inc dengan akses langsung ke pantai.

St Regis menyediakan hotel dengan jumlah kamar 81 buah yang semuanya merupakan hotel suite. Selain itu, terdapat pula 41 resort villa dan 14 residence yang dapat dimiliki dengan pemandangan langsung ke pantai, swimming lagoon, taman atau lapangan golf.

"Kami yakin investasi yang kami lakukan ini dapat memperkokoh citra dan posisi Bali sebagai salah satu pulau tujuan wisata terbaik di dunia," kata Junardy.

Di tempat yang sama, CEO Hotel Operation PT Rajawali Corpora Erhard Hotter mengemukakan hotel dan resort ini dirancang dan dikembangkan oleh tim internasional yang berasal dari berbagai negara seperti Australia, Thailand serta Filipina.

St Regis didirikan pada tahun 1904 di New York Amerika Serikat dengan target membuat berbagai proyek properti eksklusif yang kualitasnya di atas hotel berbintang lima. (*)

rilham2new

August 8th, 2007, 03:00 PM

yes.. that is me... why?

Nothing actually ... :tongue2:

To make sure of something :D

paw25694

August 8th, 2007, 05:02 PM

good bye Jkt. off to Bali tomorrow ;)

J`Town

August 8th, 2007, 08:52 PM

even the owner of Virgin Records, he has a huge private villa in Carribean Island if im not wrong. It's trully Bali inspired in any way and it's the no.1 priciest pads according to MTV Cribs hehehe i guess esp. caucasians really love bali

XxRyoChanxX

August 9th, 2007, 01:34 AM

^ yup you're right!
I saw that episode :)

Surakarta

August 10th, 2007, 11:07 AM

Bali Kembali Masuk Peta Daerah Tujuan Wisata Utama Dunia
Jakarta, CyberNews. Provinsi Bali akhirnya kembali dimasukkan ke dalam peta daerah tujuan wisata terkemuka di dunia internasional, setelah terjadinya ledakan bom pada 2002 serta 2005 yang mengakibatkan banyak wisatawan asing membatalkan wisatanya ke Pulau Dewata ini.
"Bali kembali masuk ke dalam peta tujuan wisata internasional yang paling diminati. Bali mengalami penurunan kedatangan pengunjung sebanyak 47 persen akibat Bom Bali pada tahun 2002 dan mengalami penurunan lagi akibat Bom Bali Kedua tahun 2005," kata Country Manager Visa Indonesia, Ellyana C Fuad, dalam siaran persnya yang diterima ANTARA di Jakarta, Jumat.

Ellyana mengatakan masuknya kembali Bali ke dalam peta wisata internasional antara lain ditandai dengan mulai meningkatnya penggunaan kartu kredit oleh para wisatawan asing di Pulau Dewata.

"Setahun pasca pemboman tahun 2005, pembelanjaan turis dengan kartu Visa kembali pada pertumbuhan year-on-year yang positif dan tetap stabil sampai dengan Juni 2007. Kembalinya para wisatawan ke Bali seperti yang diindikasikan oleh pembelanjaan mereka dengan kartu kredit Visa adalah keuntungan bagi industri pariwisata Indonesia secara keseluruhan," kata Ellyana.

"Dalam enam bulan pertama 2007 ini, pertumbuhan rata-rata pembelanjaan dengan kartu Visa Internasional adalah 39 prsen jika dibandingkan dengan periode yang sama pada tahun sebelumnya. Pariwisata adalah sumber pendapatan utama rakyat Bali, sehingga mereka merasa lega lagi dengan kembalinya para turis ke Bali, yang dikenal dengan keindahan alamnya, hotel mewah, serta keramahtamahan rakyatnya," kata Ellyana.

Kenaikan jumlah wisatawan juga terjadi di daerah wisata Phuket, Thailand, setelah terjadinya gelombang tsunami pada bulan Desember tahun 2004.

Namun, kata Ellyana, kenaikan jumlah wisatawan di Bali dan Phuket yang ditandai dengan meningkatnya penggunaan kartu kredit, tidak nampak di beberapa negara lainnya seperti Sri Lanka atau di kawasan wisata di Thailand yang lainnya.

Jika di Phuket terjadi kenaikan jumlah wisawatan maka sebaliknya di daerah Thailand yang lain yaitu di Thailand Selatan justru terjadi penurunan terutama akibat terjadinya serangkaian tindakan pemboman, pembakaran serta pembunuhan yang menimbulkan rasa khawatir wisatawan asing.

Ellyana mengatakan penurunan jumlah penggunaan kartu kredit Visa di Sri Lanka terjadi akibat gejolak politik dan sosial di negara tersebut berupa perang saudara di antara berbagai kelompok masyarakat setempat.( ant/ CN08)

Alibaba

August 10th, 2007, 03:27 PM

Nothing actually ... :tongue2:

To make sure of something :D

i am really curious now...
what do you mean?

rilham2new

August 10th, 2007, 03:28 PM

i am really curious now...
what do you mean?

Your face kinda looks a lot like one of my uncle :D

Alibaba

August 10th, 2007, 03:34 PM

^^ i see... how old are you?

rilham2new

August 10th, 2007, 03:38 PM

EDITED

sanhen

August 11th, 2007, 06:03 AM

Iya tuh Bali. Gua udah mulai ngeliat Bali di promosiin lagi di travel2 agent disini. Eg. Qantas.

F-ian

September 3rd, 2007, 08:03 AM

U.S. to lift travel warning to Bali

Ary Hermawan, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

The U.S. will soon lift its travel warning to Bali as the Ngurah Rai international airport has met international security standards -- a move that will hopefully give a considerable boost to tourism.

Chadik Wibowo, the aviation security manager of state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I at Ngurah Rai, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) informed him the U.S. government would soon lift the travel warning to Bali.

"You will receive good news shortly," Chadik quoted Mc. Quai -- an official at the TSA headquarters in Washington D.C. -- as saying during his visit to airports in the U.S. from Aug. 12-24.

Chadik was told the proposal to withdraw the travel warning to Bali had been lodged with the U.S. parliament and "it was just a matter of time" before its official announcement.

TSA is an internationally recognized U.S. government agency that was created in response to aviation security threats after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attack.

In December 2005, it advised airline passengers to avoid Ngurah Rai airport because it did not maintain and administer effective aviation security measures and failed to meet the security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Transportation minister Hatta Radjasa protested the assessment and announcement made by TSA on Ngurah Rai, saying that it should be the ICAO, not TSA, that had the authority to conduct such an assessment.

Chadik said PT Angkasa Pura I had made concerted efforts to improve infrastructure and human resources pertaining to security management. In July 2006, Ngurah Rai was named the best Indonesian airport in terms of security by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) after increasing the number of security personnel by 300 percent from 211 in 2005 to 705.

TSA's position, however, remained unchanged.

Angkasa Pura finally asked the TSA to reassess the airport and an assessment was conducted from March 26 to April 2.

"The results are satisfying."

In June, an audit conducted by the Transportation Ministry placed Ngurah Rai as the best Indonesian airport in terms of aviation safety and security, surpassing Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta airport.

The airport now employs 820 security personnel and has placed X-Ray devices to screen all cargo.

Despite travel warnings and advisories, foreign tourists, including Australians and Americans, continue to arrive at Ngurah Rai. The Bali Tourism Board recorded 51,000 Americans visited Bali in 2005 and in the first half of 2007 the figure had reached 25,500.

PT Angkasa Pura General Manager Suwetja Putra said he was upbeat the lifting of the travel warning from the U.S. on Bali would contribute positively to tourism.

"We hope that after the U.S. lifts the travel warning, other countries will follow suit and more foreign tourists will come to Bali," he said.

He added the withdrawal of the travel warning would convince those tourists who doubted the island's security to visit.

"I am optimistic the target of eight million foreign tourists to Bali this year can be achieved."

===========================

8 Milion Tourist to Bali??

paw25694

September 3rd, 2007, 09:14 AM

^ wong target VIY 2008 aja 7 juta doang :nuts:

Blue_Sky

September 3rd, 2007, 10:37 AM

Yang kasi statement udah gk waras :D

choon

September 13th, 2007, 08:44 AM

A letter to Bali Tourism Board..

------------------------------

Dear Sir / Madam,

Good day!

I'm Mr.Choon from Malaysia. I'm helping my friend to write this email to lodge a complaint on the charges of a BBQ seafood restaurant in Jimbaran. In fact I love Bali very much and just came back on 26.08.2007. I have been Bali for 4 times and looking forward to go again next year. I have recommended my friends on Bali also after I found Bali is a great place to have vacation.

So my friends (2 guys and 3 girls) has made their first trip to Bali on
29.08.2007-01.092007. They all very happy on all the destinations during the trip except the Jimbaran BBQ seafood at Matahari Cafe which located at Kedonganan Beach,Jimbaran Bay (Tel: (0361)705961).This restaurant doesn't have set menu which normally found in other seafood restaurants which mentioned in many Bali Blogs. They use weight scale for the seafood that my friends picked. Due to 3 girls and 2 guys are not big eater, they didn't really order a lot for the dinner. At the end of dinner, the total cost for
the dinner was RP1,040,000 which equivalent to Ringgit Malaysia 416!!There was a shock to my friends for the such unexpected expensive seafood. And I believe the price could be the most expensive seafood dinner among the South East Asia as I have traveled to most of SEA countries. I will itemise the seafood that they ordered:

1) 1Kg King Prawn costs RP200,000 (RM80) and they believe the weight
was not up to 1kg as could see from the portion.

2) 1Kg Squid (Cumi-cumi) costs RP8,5000 (RM34)

3) 2Kg crabs costs RP400,000 (RM160). This is most unbelievable and
only 2 small and not fresh crabs was served. This price we could eat at least 4-6 Big crabs in Malaysia..

4) 1Kg snapper costs RP90,000 (RM36)

5) 1Kg mussel costs RP80,000 (RM32)

6) The rest are drinks and sales tax.

I have attached 2 pictures (Matahari Cafe and Bill) for your references.
In fact I have checked with my friends who has been traveled to Jimbaran for the same seafood which given a "shock" to them as well due to the over extreme expensive price. I believe also there is commision connection between the restaurant and driver who helps to bring the customer..Since 5 of them are first time to Bali as well as Jimbaran, they had to pay the bill without argued with the restaurant owner. This has brought a very bad impression to them about Bali BBQ Seafood. Therefore they requested me to help them to write this email for your alert. If too many cases are going to happen in the future, the good reputation of Bali will be ruined by them.

After checking the Internet, we found many of Blogs from Internet has
given "bad" and negative impression to this Matahari Cafe. You can try to key in Jimbaran "Matahari Cafe" from Google search. Many of written them in Chinese llanguage (believe from Taiwan,China, Hong Kong, Malaysia or Singapore). If you need the blog I can send you in next mail.

We love Bali and looking forward to visit again in coming days. I hope Bali Tourism Board will take actions or gives advice for those unethical restaurants
to help Bali to become the most attractive holiday destination in the world.

Thank you.

Best Regards

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7716/img02043cn3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/1849/billyi0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/1849/billyi0.jpg

paw25694

September 13th, 2007, 09:27 AM

^ whoa. you should tell the Bali Tourism Board. (but i dunno the web.. lol)

materialistus

September 14th, 2007, 01:37 PM

THAT'S A SCAM !!!!!

That place should be closed down! Geeezzz, even hip/trendy hang outs/restaurant doesn't cost that much.

And that place look sleazy....

peseg5

September 14th, 2007, 04:49 PM

1st thing dine in Jimbaran...

Don't order prawn or crab... it's too damn expensive and unreasonable..

Mussel and squid are much better...

And try to visit Teba Cafe... every time dining at Jimbaran, I go there. And until today I had no problem at all. Just suggestion.

choon

September 15th, 2007, 06:09 AM

lombok

September 15th, 2007, 10:04 AM

Thanks folks. I had been Jimbaran for seafood on my first trip to Bali and felt too expensive if compared to Malaysia. Most of relatives and friends who been Jimbaran for seafood had given negative impressive on the price. Can Bali Tourism do something on this? Tourists related industries are too important to local and they shouldn't let them screw it..:ohno:

Of course you can't compare every single corner tourist locations:banana: :banana: :banana: . I know Jimbaran seafood mostly more expensive than seafood in Malaysia : Penang & langkawih ihave been there:banana: :banana: :banana:

But don't forget friend, we don't buy only the seafood doank BUT also location, atmophere's, view & service. For VIEW in the night absulutely TOP to look up to Four Season hotel very CANTIK & KINCLONG:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:.Also with kelap-kelip lampoe perahu nelayan:banana: :banana: :banana:
That way bali always reminds to all the tourists whole the world : UNIQUE, KINCLONG & CANTIK:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

paw25694

September 15th, 2007, 12:04 PM

^ F*CK! that sore my eyes so bad!
choon, lombok is kidding.. ignore it :):D:D

choon

September 15th, 2007, 12:19 PM

^ F*CK! that sore my eyes so bad!
choon, lombok is kidding.. ignore it :):D:D

I have no comments on it..everyone has his rights to voice out..just too love Bali and dun wan to see Bali suffers from any incident again..

lombok

September 15th, 2007, 01:08 PM

I have no comments on it..everyone has his rights to voice out..just too love Bali and dun wan to see Bali suffers from any incident again..

Choon, I speaks out NOT because BALI or INDONESIA. I speak out from my experience to travelled. Let me gime another sample. When I was in venetia-Italy for a cappuchino more than 6-7 more expensive than the rest of Italy. How can be ? we buys NOT only a cappucchino but also the location.....:banana: :banana: :banana: . I get what I means....?

lombok

September 15th, 2007, 01:15 PM

^ F*CK! that sore my eyes so bad!
choon, lombok is kidding.. ignore it :):D:D

Paw..gue bukan canda tapi serius:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: . Gue pernah bilang apartemen di Kemang, lho bilang mana mungkin 200 juta di lokasi kinclong & cantik kemang:banana: :banana: :banana:
Begitu juga dengan seafood di Jimbaran, karena cantik & kinclongnya sampai keseluruh dunia penggemar seafood datang kesana:banana: :banana: :banana:
sampai ada Jimbaran restoran mahal di Den Haag & Brussel...:banana: :banana: , dalam menunya tertera sama dengan seafood dari Jimbarab Bali...:banana: :banana: :banana:

Formu1a

September 15th, 2007, 01:21 PM

wahh!! hari gini mana ada yg murahhh ouii

rilham2new

September 16th, 2007, 06:36 AM

GIleee,,, bAHKan aq makan SUP KEPITING dah banyak banget di Koufu Food Mall Singapore aja ,,, 500 ribu dak nyampe :ohno: ...Padahal makannya ber-empat ....eh bertiga :D:ohno:

memang mungkin yang dijual di sana adalah ATMOSPHERE nya juga kali yeee :tongue3: ....tapi kalo turis Aussie ma Jepun juga komplain sih lain cerita ..... secaRA kemampuan mereka gituloh K_K
I prefer home-made seafod btw,,

paw25694

September 16th, 2007, 10:38 AM

surakarta, mmg di bali itu cantik kinclong ramah dll, tapi harga di restoran itu terlalu mahal dari harga normal makanan di bali :bash::bash::bash:

bola

September 16th, 2007, 02:37 PM

loooomboook bagi2 pisanknya dunkkkk :D:D

materialistus

September 16th, 2007, 02:56 PM

Hi Choon,

As part Indonesian person who lived in Bali for a little while, please pass on my personal apology to your friends and I hope the 'incident' will not put them off Bali altogether.

It was a clearly an outright scam no matter what excuses they might have. I understand that in some tourist spot location around the world, costs of basic items are set higher by the local authorities. Ie, meal taken alfresco in some Parisienne cafes more expensive than indoor at the same eshtablishment, but they're regulated and stated at the menu. In your friends case, it seem like there was no basic informations given prior to ordering.

All I can suggest you and your friends is to choose places by its reputation and it pays to shop/ask around first. Many places frequented by European tourists are good sign. As the local establishment owners knows that European tourists don't take any of these nonsense and are sophisticated travellers who will act vigurously is such thing being inflicted to them. For example, there are many restaurants around Seminjak area which are trendy and will not break the bank. and if you prefer to dine at Jimbaran, might as well book a table at Four Season or Nikko nearby. Alternatively, check some guidebooks or websites for review of some establishments before you go.

And hopefully they're still considering bali for future trips amidst close competition from places like Phuket/Krabi/Goa/Cebu- anywhere within 4 hours flight from SEAsia hubs.

PS : Please ignore some ignorant comments above

choon

September 16th, 2007, 04:38 PM

Hi Materialistus,

Thanks for the great comments. I didn't really get angry on others comments cos again everyone has rights to express their opinions. I love Bali because of Air Asia has given the opportunity for Malaysians to explore most of SEA fantastic destination like Bali, Phuket, Siam Reap and Hanoi. I have been most of the destinations but still love Bali very much otherwise i won't be there for 4 times. basically Balinese are friendly and sincerity to me. Of course I met also those "smart" and "too over" people as well and i think this is common when tourism industry is getting booming in a developing country like Indonesia. Even in Malaysia I was ever cheated by the taxis in KL even though I 'm local..What I wish is you can have higher prices but not cheating as we are the tourists..I know is impossible to control but countries like Singapore and Hong Kong are controlled by the strict rules..:)

Pls- i dun really understand those comments in bahasa Indonesia even though I speak malay..

sanhen

September 16th, 2007, 06:28 PM

Geez.. that price even more expensive than fresh seafood in Australia!!

arirangboy

September 21st, 2007, 05:41 AM

Anantara Resorts opened a luxurious boutique property on a prime beachfront location in the chic resort area of Seminyak, Bali. Anantara Resort Seminyak, with a total of just 59 luxurious suites, is a comfortable 30 minute drive from the international airport and is scheduled to open on December 15th this year.

Designed to complement the breathtaking panorama of the Indian Ocean, Anantara Resort Seminyak will reflect the lifestyle and culture of the stylish surrounds of Seminyak. The design of the 59 all-suite resort is contemporary, using extensive glass panelling to bring the vast waterscape of Seminyak Beach into the interiors and emphasize a natural ambience and fluidity with nature.

Under the esteemed architectural vision of Anthony Liu, whose firm TonTon is renowned for its innovative tropical designs such as the Bale Resort in Nusa Dua, Anantara Resort Seminyak is poised to raise the benchmark for luxury accommodation. The resort is just a short stroll from the glamorous hub of Seminyak with its hip designer ateliers and cosmopolitan dining nightlife.

Each spacious suite in the five-story resort, all with an average of 70 to 80 sq metres, has an ocean view which accentuates a breezy and relaxed atmosphere. Anantara Resort Seminyak affords every modern convenience expected by luxury travellers, whilst ensuring absolute serenity in one of the world's top island destinations.

To further indulge in the beautiful surrounds, the resort has a stylish rooftop bar with languorous settees and oversized cushions available for guests to 'chill out' and soak in the famous Balinese sunsets. Serving up new world and Asian fare, and overlooking the wide expanses of beach below, the rooftop is set to be one of Bali's premier entertainment and dining venues.

The Thai restaurant in the lobby level of the hotel will also offer an impressive mix of traditional Thai and contemporary fusion-styled dishes, inspired by the four main provinces of Thailand. Transforming from a daily breakfast venue into an ambient-lit dinner venue, the restaurant is punctuated with exquisite local and Thai object d'art.

Further features at the boutique resort include an infinity-edge pool overlooking the ocean vista, a first-class fitness facility and Bali's first Anantara Spa, Asia's foremost. Using Balinese design and décor, the Anantara Spa's earthen tone interiors will contrast with the calming seascape exterior to reflect the harmony and interdependence of land and water. Consisting of four doubles suites and eight treatment beds, each spa room is equipped with private Jacuzzi and ocean views.

Anantara is taken from an ancient Sanskrit word that means 'borderless water', a name chosen for this element's association in many Asian cultures with wealth and good fortune. Inspired by local architecture and sensitive to the indigenous culture, Anantara Resorts are currently located in the seaside town of Hua Hin (220kms south of Bangkok), on Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand and in the Golden Triangle in the country's north. In the world-renowned destination of the Maldives, Anantara Resort Maldives is a 30 minute boat ride from the capital Male. The newest member of the Anantara family, Anantara Resort Seminyak, will open at the end of 2007 in this most fashionable district of Bali - the Island of the Gods.

AceN

September 24th, 2007, 08:41 AM

Ada yang punya Logonya ' BALI - santhi..santhi...santhi... ' ?

kamski

September 26th, 2007, 05:04 AM

XxRyoChanxX

October 4th, 2007, 04:35 AM

http://www.bigfoto.com/asia/bali/bali-43.jpg

Alvin

October 9th, 2007, 11:58 AM

INVESTASI RP 150 MILIAR, Dua Cahaya Bangun W-Hotel & Villa
09/10/2007 02:34:41 WIB
JAKARTA, Investor Daily
PT Dua Cahaya Anugrah sedang menyiapkan pembangunan W-Hotel & Villa di Seminyak, Badung, Bali. Investasi sebuah kompleks vila dan hotel itu diperkirakan Rp 150 miliar.

Laporan PT BCI Asia, perusahaan konsultan properti dan konstruksi, menyebutkan, W-Hotel & Villa terdiri satu buah hotel empat lantai dan 80 vila satu lantai. Total luas bangunan yang akan dibangun mencapai 15 ribu m².

“Pekerjaan konstruksinya mulai dilaksanakan awal 2008. Hotel dan residensial akan memiliki floor area seluas masing-masing 9.000 m² dan 15.000 m²,” papar Research & Development BCI Asia Dian Putra Purnomo, baru-baru ini.

Pembangunan W-Hotel & Villa melibatkan sejumlah perusahaan konsultan, seperti SCDA Architects Pte Ltd, Karl Princic Design/Intaran Design, PT Davy Sukamta & Partner, PT Metakom Pranata, dan PT Davis Langdon & Seah Indonesia. Mereka dipercaya sebagai arsitek dan desain interior, desainer lansekap, konsultan struktur, konsultan mekanik dan elektrik, serta quantity surveyor pada proyek tersebut.

Menurut BCI Asia, proyek itu mungkin proyek properti pertama di Bali pada awal 2008. Selanjutnya, ada sejumlah proyek properti lain juga akan dibangun.

BCI Asia menyebutkan, ada 8 proyek hotel dan resor terpadu baru yang akan memasuki masa konstruksi di Provinsi Bali. Kedelapan proyek ditaksir memiliki nilai konstruksi US$ 34,9 juta atau sekitar Rp 317,59 miliar.

Hotel dan resor terpadu tersebut adalah Banyan Tree Resort (PT Sitiagung Makmur), Legian Nirwana Resort (PT Bakrie Land Development Tbk), Conrad Bali Resort (PT Oriental Indah Bali Hotel), Hotel Diamond Star (PT Diamond Star Hotel), Pecatu Quality Hotel (PT Bali Pecatu Graha), Kedungan Suites & Residence (arsitek PT Pilar Terpadu), Hotel Taman Safari Indonesia (Pemerintah Kabupaten Gianyar), dan Hotel The Haven (PT Emerald Paradise).

Dian Putra mengatakan, mulai maraknya pembangunan hotel dan resor terpadu di Bali dipicu membaiknya tingkat kunjungan wisatawan mancanegara ke Pulau Dewata tersebut. “Tapi, kalau dilihat dari jumlah hotel dan resor serta nilai konstruksinya sangat kecil dibandingkan dengan Jakarta,” katanya.

Sebaran Proyek

Sementara itu, Dinas Pariwisata Pemerintah Provinsi Bali menyebutkan, di Bali saat ini ada sekitar 176 hotel, baik hotel kelas melati hingga kelas bintang lima. Lokasi hotel tersebar di wilayah Tuban, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Benoa, Jimbaran, Sanur, Ubud, Candidasa, Lovina, dan Pemuteran. Sebanyak 36 hotel berada di wilayah Legian dan Seminyak 32 hotel.

Pembangunan proyek properti hotel dan villa di di Bali berdasarkan sebaran wilayah tidak seimbang. Wilayah Bali Selatan seperti Denpasar, Tabanan, Gianyar, Badung, dan Klungkung saat ini menjadi daerah yang paling padat pembangunan propertinya, dibandingkan daerah lainnya di Bali. Sementara itu, wilayah Bali Utara, Timur, dan Barat, pembangunan propertinya berjalan stagnan.

Kepala Seksi Pengawasan Tata Ruang Subdinas Tata Ruang Permukiman Dinas Pekerjaan Umum Provinsi Bali Tjok Budiana membenarkan, pembangunan hotel dan villa di Bali tidak merata. Hal tersebut disebabkan letak Bali Selatan yang berada di pusat kota dan strategis.

“Wilayah Bali Selatan memang menjadi incaran pengembang untuk membangun hotel, resor, dan vila karena letaknya yang strategis,” kata Budiana.

Dia menambahkan, Bali Selatan yang meliputi desa Benoa, Unggasan, Pecatu, Jimbaran kebetulan merupakan wilayah yang kering. Karena itu, pemerintah juga mendorong menjadi kawasan pariwisata terpadu. “Di sana banyak dibangun hotel-hotel berbintang,” ujarnya. (her)