Visit Indonesia (indonesia.travel) -- Events

The 2nd Asia Pacific Police and Internal State Security (ASPACPOL) Expo and Forum 2013

After the success of last year’s Expo, the Indonesian National Police will once again host the Asia Pacific Police and Internal Security (ASPACPOL) Expo and Forum 2013 scheduled to take place at the Jakarta International Expo, Jakarta from 11th to 13th December 2013.

Hosted by the Indonesian National Police and supported by the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Trade, the Indonesian Association of Security Managers (AMSI), and the Indonesia Exhibition Companies Association (IECA), the event is a tradeshow that features police related security technology, equipment and solutions. In its second year, the ASPACPOL 2013 will present 300 exhibitors from 30 countries and expected to be participated by 9,000 delegates and trade visitors.

ASPACPOL 2013 is a focused event covering the complete spectrum of the security industry ranging from business and police equipment to components. The event is designed to give exhibitors the opportunity to create and strengthen networks with decision makers and top-brass –people who can really ‘call the shots’. The event will also bring together regional authorities throughout Indonesia.

ASPACPOL 2013 has also been perfectly timed to take full advantage of business opportunities arising from the increase in budgets allocated for security, domestic airport security improvementa and security providers.

Held concurrently with the event will be the 7th Indo Security 2013 Expo & Forum and the 7th Indo Firex 2013 Expo & Forum, which focus on the security industry and fire protection, rescue and safety. The three synergetic events are expected to be the most important platform for the internal state security stakeholders and industries to share experiences and create strong networks.

More information available at event’s website: http://www.aspacpol.com/

Photo courtesy : www.aspacpol.com

Musi Triboatton 2013

This November, the spotlight will shine on the longest running river on Sumatra: the Musi River as the Musi Triboatton is launched from 26 November to 01 December 2013 in Palembang, capital of the province of South Sumatra.

Combining rafting, canoeing, and traditional boat races, this is a one of a kind event initiated by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy to introduce the splendors of South Sumatra in terms of special interests activities. Set along the wide Musi River that flows along the city of Palembang, the event will feature almost 500Km of adrenalin rushing races as well as relaxing joyrides.

As a professional competition, the event also involves the Executive Board of Indonesia’s Rowing Association (PB.PODSI) who manages the competition which is also aimed at improving the quality of rowing athletes.

The Musi River has its source deep in the Bukit Barisan mountains, tumbling down to reach the plains, where, fed by the converging Ogam and Komering rivers, it then widens into a large river as it reaches Palembang. Its many tributaries and streams that cut through Palembang, have caused this town to be also known as ‘The Venice of the East’.

The best scenery of the river can be found at the city’s iconic landmark, the Ampera Bridge which connects both side of the river. North of the Ampera bridge is the Mesjid Agung or the Royal Mosque, built in 1740 by Sultan Badaruddin I, and recently restored to its former glory. This area was once the capital of a Malay Islamic kingdom which came to an end in 1825, when the last Sultan, Ahmad Najamuddin, surrendered to the Dutch and was exiled to Banda Neira.

More information available at the event official website: www.musi-triboatton.com

Photo courtesy by infopublik.kominfo.go.id

World Culture in Development Forum 2013 in Bali

All local, national, regional and international participants involved in Culture and Sustainable development are cordially invited to the inaugural World Culture in Development Forum to take place on the fabled island of Bali from 24th to 29th November 2013.

The World Culture in Development Forum (WCF) 2013 is the first in a planned series of annual international meetings in Bali that will bring together key stakeholders to discuss vital issues in culture and development. The Forum will be a seminal event led by a South-South and South-North engagement with deep philosophical, humanistic and holistic keynote and plenary sessions; workshops and seminars; critiques and round tables. Demonstration projects featuring case studies and best practices focusing on gender mainstreaming, intergenerational equity and interfaith dialogue will play a prominent role in all sessions.

The Forum will be hosted by none other than the President of Indonesia, Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who will welcome leaders from around 40 countries, as well as cultural Nobel Prize winners serving as keynote speakers in the conference.

In this Forum, Leading international agencies and critical thinkers notably Nobel Laureates will challenge participants on four seminal themes that will form the overarching framework of WCF 2013:

Culture, Freedom and Social Sustainability
Culture and Economic Sustainability
Cultural Convergence in a Global Context
Culture and Environmental Sustainability

Gender mainstreaming, active youth engagement and children of today and tomorrow will be the cross cutting themes woven across the entire Forum. A series of discussions, debates, performances and symposia will be programmed with the participation of experts and practitioners from across the world. An inspirational and leading edge cultural program will be part of the hospitality spectrum.

Aside from Conference, WCF will also feature a Festival of Cultural Films, an Art Olympiad, and People’s Carnival. The People’s Carnival will present representatives of some famous worldwide carnival events such as: the Neputa Matsuri (Festival) of Hirosaki from Japan, Burning Man Festival from USA, Aborigine Festivals from Australia, Pasadena Carnival from USA, Rio de Janeiro Carnival from Brazil, Onam Festival in Kerala (India), and the World’s Ramayana Festival (Thailand, Srilanka, India,Cambodia, Indonesia, etc).

From Indonesia will be presented the country's own most prominent carnivals such as: the Solo Batik Festival, Jember fashion Carnival, the Jogja Batik Carnival, Bali (Ogoh-ogoh) Carnival, Ponorogo Reog Festival, Dani Festival (Papua), and the Tomohon Flower Festival.

It is envisaged that the World Culture in development Forum will result in strategic initiatives to:

Promote knowledge communities for intercultural, intergenerational and interfaith dialogue
Further ethical investment and business practices for cultural industries
Establish clearing houses for people-centered projects and practices, emphasizing local knowledge systems
Develop conceptual frameworks informing the Post 2015 Development Agenda

More Information available at WFC 2013 official website: www.wcf-bali.com

Photo courtesy : http://www.wcf-bali.com/ , tiff2012.tomohon.info

The First ever Jakarta Marathon 2013 to be held on Sunday, 27 October

It is official: the Jakarta Marathon 2013 will be held for the first time in Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta, on Sunday, 27 October 2013. The news was announced in Paris, France, at the Marathon de Paris 2013, on 4th of April .

Six categories will be competed in the Jakarta Marathon 2013, namely: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Wheelchairs, and Sprint for Children.

Some 5,000 to 10,000 runners from 15 to 20 countries are expected to participate in the Jakarta Marathon this year that will take contestants over the 42 km course from Pluit in North Jakarta to Senayan in Central Jakarta. Athletes will compete for the Rp. 4 billion in total prizes.

Deputy Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy, Sapta Nirwandar said that the Jakarta Marathon will be an international scaled sporting event that had been carefully planned since some time. Adding that similar to other world class marathons, the Jakarta Marathon itself is intended to further expand sports tourism in Indonesia, and is expected to attract more international tourists to Indonesia.

On his side, Jakarta Governor, Joko Widodo enthusiastically welcomed the staging of the Marathon saying that “Jakarta warmly welcomes the very first Jakarta Marathon, projected to be an annual event for Jakarta and Indonesia. We hope that through this event, the number of international tourists to the city will increase each year. Governor Widodo plans to fully support the Jakarta Marathon with art and culture festivities from all over Indonesia.

The Marathon route will take competing athletes and participants pass some of Jakarta’s most well known landmarks that include the National Monument or Monas, the Istiqlal Mosque the Cathedral Church across, the Old Batavia complex, and the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.

The event is organized by Inspiro as the appointed promotor and organizer of The Jakarta Marathon working in close cooperation with the Association of Indonesian Athletes (PASI) and the Amaury Sports Organization (ASO).

Indonesia’s participation in the ongoing Marathon de Paris 2013 is intended to observe how a successful marathon should be organized and managed with respect to design, mechanism, methods, and management structure. The opportunity was also used to promote and invite athletes and the international public to come and participate in the Jakarta Marathon 2013.

For registration and more information, please visit the event official website: www.thejakartamarathon.com

Photo courtesy : www.thejakartamarathon.com

Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) 2013

This year’s TIME, the Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo 2013 or otherwise known as "Pasar Wisata" will take place in Padang, capital of West Sumatra from 18th to 21th October 2013, after the success of two consecutive editions in Bandar Lampung, capital of Lampung Province.

TIME is an annual event organized by the Tourism Society of Indonesia (Masyarakat Pariwisata Indonesia/MPI) supported by various shareholders of Indonesian Tourism including the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Provincial Government of West Sumatra , the Association of Indonesia’s Travel Agents (ASITA), the Association of Tour Guides of Indonesia, the Association of Hotel and Restaurants (PHRI), and Garuda Indonesia airline.

TIME is the only international contract travel mart in Indonesia with a direct business to business concept. The event is a meeting place for those who sell tourism products and services of Indonesia (sellers) to the international market (buyers). TIME is Indonesia’s only mart listed in the calendar of international travel marts together with ITB Berlin, WTM London, Arabian Travel Mart (ATM), PATA Travel Mart, and other similar world prestigious events. TIME 2013 will present all Indonesia’s tourist destinations, including popular and newly discovered travel destinations, tourism objects, and new product developments.

Padang was chosen as the venue for this year considering its relatively easy connections to neighboring countries since the Minangkabau International Airport serves direct flights to and from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore. Participants will also be introduced to the fascinating landscape of West Sumatra including Bukittinggi, the Sianok Gorge, and Lake Singkarak.

This year, the number of buyers are expected to increase to 83 from 28 countries; while the transaction value is projected to reach over US$19 million.

For more details and registration, please log on to http://tourismindonesiamartexpo.com/

Photo courtesy of http://tourismindonesiamartexpo.com/

Raja Ampat Festival 2013

The unspoilt splendors of Raja Ampat will be presented to the world through the Raja Ampat Festival 2013 scheduled to be held on Waisai Beach from 18th to 21st October 2013. Entering its fourth edition this year, the festival continues to be an essential program of the district government of Raja Ampat aimed to promote this fascinating underwater paradise, pristine natural environment, enchanting cultural traditions, and all of the undiscovered wonders of Raja Ampat.

The festival will feature various programs including a Marine Tourism Exhibition, Culinary Festival, Art and Cultural Performances, Photo Competition, Beach Clean Up, and more. Among the highlights are distinct traditional art performances including a Yospan Dance Contest, Tambur Flute, and Wayase. During the festival, spectators will also get a chance to participate in post tour activities including diving, snorkeling, village tours, and bird watching.

One of the highlights of the festival is a demonstration of traditional boating skills that has been passed down from generation to generation, which is the traditional way of Seafaring for the Papuan.

Among some of the Papuan traditional arts and cultural performances are the Lalayon Dance, Woor Dance, Lenso dance, Yospan Dance, Gemutu Dance, Akar Bore Dance, the War Dance, the Angin Mamiri Dance, Kuda Lumping Dance, and the Suling Tambur traditional flute and percussion performance.

Raja Ampat or ‘the Four Kings’, is the name given to the islands Located off the northwestern tip of the Bird's Head Peninsula on the Main Papua Island. The four major islands found here are Waigeo, Misool (which is home to ancient rock paintings), Salawati, and Batanta. Underwater enthusiasts flock to this region because it offers the world’s best marine sights. In the Raja Ampat islands, divers can explore vertical underwater walls. The thrill of drift diving is another great challenge. These and the fascinating art and cultural performances are the awesome experiences you will find as you attend the Raja Ampat Festival.

If you are flying from Jakarta, you can take a six hour flight to Sorong with a stopover in Manado. Alternatively, you can join a diving tour in Bali and fly from there. Flying from Jakarta/ Bali to Sorong, with connecting flights in Makassar or Manado are offered by Merpati , Express Air, Lion Air, Wings Air, Garuda Indonesia, and Pelita Air.

The new airport at Waisai is expected to be open before the event so that visitors can reach the islands more easily.

There are daily ferries available between Sorong and Waisai, capital of the Raja Ampat district on the island of Waigeo. Ferries leave Sorong at 13.00 hrs and the journey takes between 1.5 to 2 hours. The return ferry from Waisai to Sorong leaves around 11.0 am. There are also speedboats for rent at Sorong.

Asmat Cultural Festival 2013

The cultural expressions of Papua’s renowned Asmat Tribe will be the highlight of Indonesia's most eastern island as the Asmat Cultural Festival is scheduled to take place at the Yos Sudarso Field, Asmat District on 15th to 19th October 2013.

The main feature of the festival is obviously the signature wood carving art of the Asmat. The Asmat are known to have the capability of carving wood into fascinating artworks directly without drawing any sketches first. To the Asmat, their woodcarvings are inextricably linked with the spirit world, and therefore, are not principally considered as aesthetic objects. Much of the highly original art of the Asmat is symbolic of warfare, headhunting, and warrior-ancestor veneration. For centuries the Asmat, preoccupied with the necessity of appeasing ancestral spirits, produced a wealth of superbly designed shields, canoes, sculptured figures, and drums.

Aside from wood carving exhibitions and auctions, the festival will also present hundreds of artisans and performers who will showcase their exceptional skill in weavings, boating, and various dances and traditional musical performances. At the closing of the festival, the fine artworks of the Asmat will then be displayed for open auction.

Located at the southern part of Papua facing the Arafuru Sea, the district of Asmat was once part of the Merauke district. On February 2011, the district gained UNESCO recognition as a world heritage site. The Asmat region shot into world spotlight when in 1961 Michael Rockefeller, son of New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller disappeared here on his second expedition. On his first visit Michael had been deeply impressed by the Asmat sculpture, and planned to display these at an exhibition in the United States. On this unfortunate journey the boat capsized, pushed by the rushing incoming tide. Impatient, Michael swam to shore never to be seen or heard of again.

To reach Agats, you can take a flight from Jakarta or Bali to Timika and then continue by smaller plane to Ewer. From Ewer, you must take a speed boat to reach Agats. The Mozes Kilangin Airport in Timika is served by Garuda Indonesia from Jakarta and Denpasar, and Merpati Nusantara Airlines from the capital of Papua, Jayapura. Susi Air operates flights to local destinations across Papua including from Timika to Ewer. There are no hotels available in Asmat, the only possible way is either to stay at the local house which is called bujang (long house) house, or on Agats, where are simple accommodations whose rates change from time to time.

Photo courtesy : http://cepsmine.blogspot.com

Bali-Jakarta jointly host MISS WORLD 2013

The enchanting tourist island of Bali together with the capital city of Jakarta will jointly host Miss World 2013, where Global Finals will take place at the Sentul International Convention Center on the outskirts of Jakarta on Saturday, 28 September 2013.

This is the first time that Miss World is held in a South East Asian country.

Over 125 beauties from around the globe will arrive on the island of Bali one month prior to the finals, staying at Nusa Dua, to be judged here while exploring some of Indonesia’s finest beaches, nature, arts and culture.

They will then proceed to Jakarta to contest in the Finals.

The Sentul International Convention Center is located just on the border between Jakarta and West Java, but is in fact already within the province of West Java, near Bogor. Governor of West Java, on his part, has also expressed his support for the Event, considering that no bikini contests will take place here

Contestants are those who in the preceding year have won their national Miss World title in the national preliminaries conducted by their respective license-holders, who hold the franchise to use the ‘Miss World” name in that country.

To support the Pageant, this year more than 120 of Indonesia’s top designers are involved to design the costumes of contestants.

The Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant, created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. Since his death in the year 2000, Morley's wife, Julia Morley, co-chaired the pageant. Alongside its rivals Miss Universe and Miss Earth, this pageant is one of the most publicized beauty contests in the world. The winner will spend a year travelling to represent the Miss World Organization and its various causes.

The Miss World Organization owns and manages the annual Miss World Finals; a competition that has grown into one of the world’s biggest. Since its launch in 1951, the Miss World Organization has raised more than £250 million for children’s charities. Miss World is franchised in more than 100 countries. For this year final, the Miss World Organization has teamed up with Indonesian Television Broadcasting Company, RCTI as Exclusive Partner and Broadcaster of Miss World 2013 and the License holder of Miss Indonesia.

More information available at the event’s official website: http://www.missworld.com/

Photo courtesy : http://www.missworld.com/

Ambon Bay Festival 2013

From 27th to 29th September 2013, the charming little island-town of Ambon will sparkle with colorful festivities as the 7th Annual Ambon Bay Festival gets underway.

Held for the first time in 2006, the Ambon Bay Festival takes place annually at the end of September and is based not only in Ambon, but also throughout the West Seram Regency. The event is aimed to further promote tourism potentials and establish Ambon and the Maluku Province as one of the top national and international tourist destinations.

One of the main highlights of the festival is the Arumbae Manggarube traditional boat race. In the race, boats carrying 28 to 31 rowers will compete to be the first to reach the finish line. There will also be the traditional Maluku outrigger Semang Boat race which features women in traditional costumes manning the boats and race against each other. Another fascinating feature of the event is the relay swim race which starts from Ambon Bay ( at Martafons point) and finishes at the southern end of Ambon (at Galala).

There will also be an underwater photography competition, traditional fishing competitions, painting and mosaic competitions, and the Batu Badaong traditional story telling competition which will be participated by students from throughout Ambon.

The tiny islands of Ambon, Banda, Saumlaki, Ternate and Tidore - among the thousands of islands in the Moluccas seas, changed the course of world history from the 15th century onwards. These islands triggered what became the European Age of Exploration. For, in search of the Spice Islands in the Far East, Christopher Columbus sailed west – and discovered America. Vasco da Gama sailed south and discovered the long route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope in 1498 to finally reach India after a long and perilous voyage. Only later did the Portuguese finally discover the sea route to Banda and Ambon. These small islands in the eastern deep seas of the Indonesian archipelago were for centuries the sole producers of the fragrant nutmeg and mace in the world. At the time, these spices fetched their weight in gold in Medieval Europe.

Derawan Festival 2013: Derawan for the Future

The tropical paradise of Derawan Archipelago in East Kalimantan will radiate its enchanting splendors in a series of festivities as the elaborate event of Derawan Festival 2013 gets underway, scheduled to take place from 21st June to 22nd September 2013.

Carrying the theme “Derawan for the Future”, the event, centered in the Berau Regency will be an international promotion program aimed to introduce and further promote the wonders of the Derawan Arcipelago as part of the Wonderful Indonesia and the Visit East Kalimantan campaign.

Officiated on 24th February 2013 at the Hotel Aston Samarinda in the capital of East Kalimantan, the festival consists of a series of activities that will last for three whole months with highlights in June and September.

Kicking off the festival will be a Dive Tournament and the Live on Board Festival which will be held in the seas around the Derawan Archipelago from 21st to 30th June 2013 to be participated by mariners and dive enthusiasts from all over the archipelago and abroad.

On 13th to 15th June 2013, a social charity program aimed to aid the local population of the Berau Regency entitled Bhakti Surya Bhaskara Jaya Operation is organized by the Indonesian Navy.

Then the pinnacle of the festival will occur on 15th September 2013 with the Official Opening Ceremony in the Berau Regency to be led by Indonesia's President Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono, along with other government officials. The opening ceremony will be followed by a Gala Dinner. There will also be an Exhibition which will last until 22nd September 2013. Participating in the exhibition will be the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Ministry of Trade, the Association of Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI), Tour Operators, Dive Operators, and various small and medium businesses.

From 15th to 20th September 2013, yachts participating in the Sail Indonesia 2013 Yacht Rally and the Cruise to Derawan will enter Derawan. The Route of the Sail Indonesia 2013 will have taken yachts from Davao to Talaud-Sangihe-Bitung to Derawan, while the Cruise to Derawan will have taken international sail enthusiasts on a course from Phuket to Singapore-Anambas-Kinabalu and on to Derawan.

There will also be the Bhakti Kesra Nusantara Operation conducted by the Navy on 13th to 15th September 2013 and the International Seminar on Coral Triangle Initiative and Small Islands from 16th to 18th September 2013. On 22nd September 2013, the audience and participants will be entertained with an Open Entertainment Stage featuring Indonesian top singers and traditional art performances.

Wrapping up the excitement, participants in the festival will be taken to the waters around Derawan, Maratua, and Kakaban islands for a Fishing Game tournament on 23rd to 30th September 2013.

Competing for the Chief of the NAVY’s trophy, the tournament will be a team competition in which participants are top anglers in the country and abroad.

More Information available at: www.festivalderawan.com

Photo courtesy : www.festivalderawan.com