Tourism Indonesia

Anantara launches 365 Days of Good Deeds Campaign

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:32:00 PST

For over ten years, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has been committed to creating luxury travel experiences that also benefit the environment and local communities. All of Anantara’s 17 properties across Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Maldives and Middle East immerse themselves in local initiatives that give back to the community and environment, thereby enhancing the social and environmental surroundings of each Anantara destination. In 2012, Anantara has brought all these good deeds together and is launching the ‘365 Days of Good Deeds’ sustainability programme. At least one good deed will take place for every day of 2012.

Whether it’s rescuing street elephants in Thailand, marine turtle protection in Phuket, coral rejuvenation in the Maldives or supporting local farmers in Indonesia, Anantara is dedicated to carrying out corporate social responsibility programmes at a grassroots level in each of its exotic locations around the world.

“Every day Anantara retreats offer true destination journeys that connect guests with the colourful heritage, local traditions and natural wonders of their locale,” explains Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotel Group, owner of the Anantara brand. “We voluntarily engage in community development at all our business locations. This means we have a certain degree of responsibility to ensure that we find benefits that help local communities both socially and economically.”

The ‘365 Days of Good Deeds’ programme also invites guests to combine their five star journey of colourful heritage, local traditions and natural wonders, with the opportunity to participate in a range of good deeds that help the communities both socially and environmentally in each locale.

Anantara Seminyak Resort & Spa, set along the sought after Seminyak Beach in Bali, encourages guests to participate in local, national and international sustainability and cultural events. Along with other Anantara properties, the resort takes part in Environment Day, Earth Hour and Earth Day, in addition to other programmes such as the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, which has developed over the past 25 years to become the world’s largest volunteer efforts for ocean health.

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Starwood to open Le Meridien resort in Bali Jimbaran

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:32:17 PST

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has signed an agreement with PT Tiara Raya Bali International to develop a new 123-suite Le Meridien-branded resort in Bali, Indonesia.

Located on Bali's western coast, the yet-to-open Ristia Resort is to be renamed Le Meridien Bali - Jimbaran under the terms of the deal and is scheduled to open in mid-2012.

Facilities will include a full-service spa; a fitness suite; a "uniquely-designed" lagoon pool; and meeting space, as well as the three-storey Bamboo Chic restaurant and bar.

Eva Ziegler, global brand leader for Le Meridien and W Hotels Worldwide, said: "Le Meridien has undergone a comprehensive brand transformation in the six years since it was acquired by Starwood.

"In this new era for Le Meridien, with its best portfolio ever and a new brand direction, we are proud to return to Bali, specifically a perfect lifestyle destination such as Jimbaran."

Indonesia participation at the Venlo Floriade 2012

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:44:06 PST

Nature, horticulture, culture and tradition are the main focus of the pavilion. A range of traditional buildings including Balinese towers and Javanese and Sumatran houses dominate the Indonesian entry. A lake, a waterfall and a sawa (rice field) are examples of typical natural features from Indonesia that can be seen in this entry. There is also a small amphitheatre which will feature traditional Indonesian performances.
At the last Floriade, the Indonesian pavilion was voted the best national entry in the Park.

For more information click here.

Bali’s Economy Robust in 2011

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:54:57 PST

Bali by the Numbers: Bali’s Gross Domestic Product Grew 6.29% in 2011

The Central Statistic Bureau (BPS) in Bali recorded a 6.49% growth in the Regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Bali for 2011.

As reported by Bisnis Indonesia, the head of BPS in Bali, Gede Suarsa said the GDP for Bali in 2011 totaled Rp. 73.47 trillion (US$8.16 million) as measured by current transaction values.

The 2011 figures represent a 10% increase over the GDP for 2010 of Rp. 66.69 trillion (US$7.4 million).

Suarsa said the source of growth in Bali’s 2011 results came from the following sub-sectors of the economy:
Mining and excavation up 10.51%
Service industry up 9.97%
Trading, hotel and restaurants up 8.65%
Construction up 7.88%
Electrical, gas and clean water up 7.35%
Financial services and leasing up 6.22%
Transportation and communication up 5.97%
Agriculture up 2.23%
In 2011 Bali exports increased 106% over the previous year. At the same time, Bali’s level of imports from overseas and other areas of Indonesia increased 113.38% in 2011. As a result, the effect of net exports on Bali’s economy was relatively small.

© Bali Discovery Tours. Articles may be quoted and reproduced if attributed to http://www.balidiscovery.com. All images and graphics are copyright protected.

Bandung is AirAsia’s third-largest hub in Indonesia

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:31:54 PST

Bandung has become the third-largest hub for low-cost carrier AirAsia Indonesia (AAI) after Jakarta and Denpasar, a senior executive said Tuesday.
Bandung now serves more passengers than Surabaya and Medan.
AAI commercial director Widijastoro Nugroho said that the number of AAI’s passengers to and from Bandung showed significant increase, with 33 percent growth from 479,912 passengers in 2010 to 639,058 in 2011.
The largest increase was on the Bandung-Denpasar route, which had 65 percent growth, from 47,418 passengers to 78,119. Meanwhile, the Bandung-Kuala Lumpur route was still the busiest, with 142,280 passengers in 2011, an 8 percent increase on the previous year.
“I have always been optimistic about the Bandung market since we first flew there in 2004, connecting the city with Kuala Lumpur,” Widijastoro said.
“This is because Bandung is a tourism magnet that is not only loved by domestic tourists but also foreign ones for being a shopping and culinary haven.”
He was speaking from the sidelines of the maiden flight between Bandung, West Java, and the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya.
AAI uses Airbus A320 aircraft, with a capacity of 180 seats, for daily flights in the Bandung-Surabaya route.
On Feb. 10, flag carrier Garuda Indonesia also launched a Bandung-Surabaya route. Garuda uses a Boeing 737-500, with a capacity of 12 business-class seats and 84 economy-class seats.
From Bandung’s Husein Sastranegara International Airport, AAI operates flights to Medan, Denpasar and Singapore with twice-daily flights. The Bandung-Kuala Lumpur route is served three times daily.
Widijastoro said that the importance of Bandung to AAI was shown by placing two Airbus A320s at the airport, including Bandung-based engineers and cabin crew

Swiss-Belhotel and Accor to open 15 Hotels in Indonesia

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:52:35 PST

Two international hotel chains are planning to open 15 hotels in Indonesia this year following increased demand from local business and leisure travelers.

Swiss-Belhotel International alone would open eight 3- or 4-star hotels across the archipelago, according to regional public relations and promotions manager Harshanty Kaloko.

“We have recently opened the very first 4-star Swiss-Belhotel in one of the easternmost cities in Indonesia — Merauke, Papua — that is strategically located in the heart of the city, just 10 minutes from Mopah Airport,” she told The Jakarta Post over the telephone.

The company opened another hotel in January: The 3-star Swiss-Belinn Balikpapan in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Jan. 12, Harshanty said.

The company would open three more Swiss-Belinn hotels before the end of the year in Pekanbaru, Riau; Makassar, South Sulawesi; and Pangkalan Bun, Central Sulawesi, Harshanty added.

Swiss-Belhotel hotels would be opened in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan; in the rainforest of Kuta, Bali; and at Harbor Bay in Batam, Riau Islands.

“Tourism and business travel are only just beginning to flourish. At least 35 additional properties will come into operation by 2014, ranging from 2-, 3- to 4-star classifications,” Harshanty said.

Swiss-Belhotel International has developed a new brand for its 2-star hotels, identified as the Zest Hotel chain, and has already started construction on two Zest Hotels in Ambon, Maluku and Legian, Bali, she said.

The company also reported interest in similar development in other cities, such as Batam; Jakarta; Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi; Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara; Makassar; Manado, North Sulawesi; Medan, North Sumatra; Semarang and Surakarta, Central Java; and Yogyakarta.

The group currently operates 26 hotels in 21 cities across the nation and claims an average occupancy rate of 75 percent.

According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), 7.65 million foreign tourists visited Indonesia in 2011, up 9 percent from 2010.

Of those foreign tourists, the government collected US$8.6 billion in foreign exchange, the BPS said, up 13 percent from 2010.

According to the latest figures, the aggregate occupancy rate of starred hotels in 20 selected provinces stood at 56 percent in December 2011, up 2.6 percent from the previous month and up 2 percent from the same period in 2010.

Contacted separately, Gerard Guillouet, Accor Hotel’s vice president for Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, said that the chain would open seven new hotels, ranging from budget to luxury boutique hotels, this year.

Gerard said that Accor planned to open a budget-class All Seasons/Ibis Style hotel with 183 rooms in Benoa, Bali; a 3-star Ibis hotel with 150 rooms in Kuta; and a mammoth 604 room, 3-star Ibis in Bandung, West Java.

In addition, Accor would open four more hotels in Jakarta and Kuta, he said.

The capital city would get a 4-star hotel Novotel in Gajah Mada, Central Jakarta; a 4-star Grand Mercure in Harmoni, Central Jakarta; and a 3-star-plus Mercure in Simatupang, South Jakarta; while building The Kuta Beach Heritage boutique hotel with 149 rooms in Bali, according to Accor.

“We have built a hotel network of 46 hotels in 18 cities and its still growing. This makes Accor the largest hotel operator in Indonesia,” he told the Post in an email.

Accor officially opened the 5-star Pullman Jakarta Indonesia, formerly Hotel Nikko Jakarta, in Central Jakarta, on Jan. 19.

Amaroossa Hotel, Jalan Riau Bandung

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:53:44 PST

Amaroosa Hotel Bandung is located in central Bandung City, a 5-minute walk to the factory outlets at Riau Street. The hotel offers an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi and 6 dining options.

Featuring a unique decor each guestroom comes with fine beddings, a flat-screen satellite TV and ironing facilities. There is also a minibar, personal safe and a hairdryer.

Guests can work out at the modern fitness centre or indulge in customised treatments like aromatherapy at Larenta Salon & Spa. Younger guests will find various games and activities at the children’s corner.

The elegant Roses Coffee Shop offers a great selection of coffee, while The Roosse Cake Bakery serves delicious cakes and pastries. Surrounded by tropical greenery, The Gardenia provides a beautiful outdoor setting for a meal. Chinese, Western and Indonesian cuisines are available at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurants.

Amaroosa Hotel Bandung is a 25-minute drive from Husein Sastranegara International Airport.

Jl. Aceh no 71A, 40115 Bandung

In Bandung, Chocolate With a Bite of Luxury

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:20:31 PST

It wouldn’t be a proper Valentine’s Day without chocolate, as chocolatiers all over the world know. In Bandung, two cacao crafters have been hard at work to create the sweetest, most creative offerings for lovers in search of the perfect treat this holiday.

Chocolatier Kiki Gumelar, who sells his Chocodot brand of sweets, came up with a package called Tekanan Batin Cinta (Love Under Mental Pressure), or TBC, for Valentine’s Day this year. The package includes five fun varieties: coklat gawat darurat (emergency chocolate), coklat anti galau (anti-mellow chocolate), coklat tolak miskin (poor-repellent chocolate), coklat badai tsunami (tsunami wave chocolate) and coklat sesuwatu banged (chocolate for something meaningful).

“Our flavors represent the feelings that people experience when they’re in love,” Kiki said.

Valentine’s Day is also a special occasion for chocolatier Adisty Halim, 25, the owner of Dhestchza chocolate products.

Adisty started her chocolate business in Bandung after graduating from high school, and today she specializes in unique, artistic chocolates. She sells everything from chocolate bars to 3D creations, and she invites people to place custom orders on Valentine’s Day with no additional charge.

“Customers can request special designs and even flavors for Valentine’s Day gifts,” she said, adding that the most difficult orders last year were for a 3D chocolate violin and piano.

“Since we didn’t have the molds, we had to make them [the molds] first,” she said. “But we didn’t charge the customers for the extra work and cost. We only charged them for the amount of chocolate used for the designs.”

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Ujung Kulon wild bull population believed flourishing

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:01:12 PST

The exact population of the wild bull (Bos Javanicus Javanicus) in the Ujung Kulon National Park (TMNUK) is still unknown but park officials believe it is flourishing.

"We have so far not conducted a head count but based on sightings made through video traps we believe their number is quite large," Hendra Purnam, a TNUK officer in charge of valuations and data collecting, said here Friday.

The bull population was believed to be flourishing because the animals had access to plenty of natural food and were being carefully protected.

The wild bull was living in a 30,000-hectare forest area in the park together with other rare species such as the one-horn Javanese rhinoceros, tiger, eagle and owa (a primate).

The wild bull was to be found only in Indonesia and Burma. In Indonesia, their habitats were located in Kalimantan and Java.

The TNUJK management was tightly protecting the rare animals, especially from illegal hunting activity, he said. The only enemies of the wild bull were tigers and forest dogs.

Hendra also said the park management had also observed the one-horn rhinoceros population through video traps and now estimated there were 35 of them in the park

ITB Berlin 2012: eTravel World 2012

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:13:20 PST

At the world’s leading travel trade show the success story of the eTravel World, the travel technology sector’s trend-setting platform, is set to continue. In the Travel Technology section in Hall 7.1c leading companies and startups will be presenting their latest mobile travel service and social media apps and innovations.

Companies representing social review management services such as Reevoo and Review Pro will be setting new trends. At workshops and seminars taking place at the eTravel Lab trade visitors from the business travel and tourism sectors can exchange in-depth views with decision-makers and practical experts about the mobile solutions of the future.

For the first time the programme of stage events will feature simultaneous interpreting into English and German and will present travel blog discussions and papers by experts on the latest social media and mobile strategy developments. At the eTravel Lounge guests can network and meet during happy hours.

Leading figures and practical experts examine highly topical industry issues

This year the eTravel World is due to launch a new discipline, the first App Marathon. On Saturday, 10 March, providers from ten categories will present their mobile travel apps for smartphones in on-stage sessions lasting 30 minutes each. Furthermore, a heavily revised and extended version of the “Mobile Travel App Guide - Edition 2012 powered by ITB“ is being released to coincide with ITB Berlin. The guide looks at 120 mobile applications and provides an overview of travel applications and what they do. The book is available from the stand of mvolution in the eTravel World section in Hall 7.1c and from book stores

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Le Jardin Boutique Villas, Seminyak, Bali

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:14:52 PST

Le Jardin Boutique Villas is just 3 minutes’ walk from Seminyak’s Sunset Beach. It offers spacious open-air villas with private pools and gardens, and free shuttles within Legian and Seminyak.

Featuring wooden furnishings, villas at Le Jardin have living and dining areas and a kitchen. Room amenities include a TV, a DVD player and a safety deposit box. The bathrooms feature a bathtub and a double vanity sink.

Guests can exercise in the mini gym, or rent a bicycle free of charge and explore the beautiful surroundings. Relaxing spa treatments are also available. The hotel provides limousine service and tour arrangements.

Le Jardin offers an in-villa menu, which chefs can prepare in the villas upon guests’ request. Meals can also be enjoyed at the small restaurant.

Le Jardin Boutique Villas is just a 5-minute walk to nearby dining and nightlife options.

Jalan Sarinande no 7, 80362 Seminyak

Rp 70 billion for Bandung airport expansion this year

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:48:49 PST

Airport operator PT Angkasa Pura (AP) II has invested Rp 70 billion (US$7.77 million) to expand the Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung, West Java this year.
AP II finance director Laurensius Manurung said the company plans to allocate a total investment of Rp 370 billion over a three-year program, concluding in 2014.
Laurensius said that the expansion has become a necessity amid soaring traffic at the airport, mainly from international arrivals.
“The growth of international passengers coming to Bandung is much higher than that of domestic passengers. Many tourists from Malaysia come to Bandung,” Laurensius said.
Bandung is popularly known as the “Paris of Java” for its role as a central hub of the country’s fashion industry.
Laurensius said traffic in the airport had reached 900,000 passengers per year, surpassing its capacity of 700,000 passengers per year.
The company plans to expand the airport’s capacity to 2 million passengers per year.
For the expansion project, the company will use a 6,000 square-meter plot of land currently being used by PT Dirgantara Indonesia for new airport space.
According to Laurensius, the land belongs to the Indonesian Air Force.
“We will discuss the land with PT Dirgantara Indonesia. The land should be returned first to the Air Force and then we can propose a cooperation plan for the use of the land for at least 50 years,” he said.
The expansion project will include the construction of parking and cargo areas.

Number of tourists to South Sumatra up 20 pct

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:13:00 PST

The number of tourists to South Sumatra in 2012 may increase by 20 pct from last year`s.

"We will try to increase the number of tourists here by holding and organizing various activities and programs," head of the South Sumatra culture and tourism agency Toni Panggarbesi said in Palembang Thursday.

He said to reach the number of tourists he will cooperate with the relevant authorities in the area.

He said Indonesia last year had 7.6 million tourists, and was planned to reach eight million, but they reached only 7.8 million.

The tourists in South Sumatra came from Malaysia, and also from Jakarta, Bali, Yogyakarta, and Batam, and he will try to increase their number by 20 pct this year, he said.

He said while in 2011 the number of Indonesian tourists reached 2.7 million, the number of foreign tourists reached 36-40 thousand to South Sumatra.

"This year we need to cooperate with the world of tourists and shareholders. We make souvenirs, but the readiness of the regencies and cities are also expected in the development and arrangements of tourism objects and destinations," he said.

He said it is also necessary to hold activities such as holding a festival like the recent "cap go meh" (end of Chinese new year), for instance.

He will also invite the South Sumatra Arts Council to hold regional dances on Saturdays and Sundays, especially to entertain tourists.

The cultural and tourism agency will also cooperate with tourist operators in Malaysia, and the promotion of hotels in the province, he said.

South Sulawesi has a number of tourist objects and destinations including Pulau Kemarau (dry season island), Bukit Siguntang, Plaza Benteng Kuto Besak, and Lake Ranau, Gunung Dempo and many others.

Madura Is Steeped in History

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:12:36 PST

The island of Madura gets a bad rap on Java. The stereotype is that all Madurese are crass, ill-mannered and quick to anger, while the island itself is hot, dirty and simply not worth visiting.

The Javanese prejudice against Madura has knocked the island off the list of destinations for most domestic tourists, who in turn discourage foreigners from visiting. But as is the case with most stereotypes, not everything people say about Madura is true.

Located just northeast of Surabaya in East Java, Madura is easily accessible by boat across the Madura Strait. Since 2009, it has also been accessible by road, thanks to the Suramadu Bridge connecting the island to mainland Java.

Entering the main town (after a three-hour drive), I found Sumenep itself to be clean, cultured and affordable. I made the obligatory visit to the Grand Sumenep Mosque, the town’s best-known attraction.

The structure, built in 1779, showed a fascinating combination of Chinese, Javanese, Indian, Portuguese and Arab influences in its architecture. The interior of the mosque likewise displayed the influence of those cultures in the ceiling, wooden windows, pillars and mihrab. But the most beautiful part of the mosque is its concrete gate, which has a European touch.

A few hundred meters to the east of the mosque is Kraton Sumenep, the sultan’s palace and the only one of its kind in East Java. The palace is said to have been established in 1269, when its authority covered all of Madura, as well as the many islands scattered around it. The head of the kadipaten, or sultanate, was known as the adipati.

Unlike Yogyakarta’s kraton in Central Java, the kraton complex in Madura is no longer occupied by traditional families serving the adipati (the last sultan ruled in 1929). The complex surrounding the palace was built in 1762 by Adipati Sumenep Tumenggung Ario Notokusumo, or Panembahan Somala (1762-1811).

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Casinos behind record number of visitors to Singapore

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:34:39 PST

A record number of visitors came to Singapore last year as new casinos lured gamblers, the tourism authority said Tuesday.
Visitor arrivals rose to 13.2 million, up 13 percent from 2010, the Tourism Board said in a statement. About 2.6 million Indonesians visited Singapore last year, followed by tourists from China, Malaysia and Australia.

Tourism industry revenue jumped 17 percent to a record SG$22.2 billion (US$17.8 billion), the board said. Revenue from sightseeing and entertainment, which includes gambling, soared 37 percent to SG$5.5 billion.

Visitor arrivals have more than doubled since 2003 and tourism has become a key economic growth driver for the city-state of 5 million people. The government expects the economy, which also relies on manufacturing and finance, to expand as little as 1 percent this year, down from 4.8 percent last year.

France is the world's most visited country by international tourists with 77 million in 2010, followed by the U.S. with 60 million.

Singapore's world-class shopping malls used to be the key tourist draw but its first two casino resorts have helped attract visitors since they opened in 2010, particularly from neighboring Asian countries.

Arrivals from China surged 35 percent in 2011, the first full year the casinos were operating.

The government has sought to keep Singaporeans out of the casinos, imposing a SG$100 entry fee on citizens. Regulators this week fined Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s Marina Bay Sands SG$255,000 and Genting Singapore Ltd.'s Resorts World Sentosa SG$130,000 for breaking admission rules such as allowing Singaporeans to enter the casinos without paying the entry levies.

Club Med Bali Now Only One Flight Away for Kiwis

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:08:19 PST

One of New Zealanders' favourite Club Med resorts will soon be only one flight away.

Air New Zealand has just announced the commencement of direct Bali flights over the peak period of June to October, making Club Med Bali very accessible to Kiwis.

Club Med New Zealand Marketing Manager Kaarin Gaukrodger says, "Club Med Bali is already a firm favourite with New Zealanders and direct flights now make it even more attractive. Club Med’s all inclusive packages to Bali offer exceptional value and now with no stops between new Zealand and Denpasar this destination will be in high demand.”

"Located only 30 minutes drive from Denpasar airport, for Kiwis Club Med Bali is now the most easily accessible of all our resorts worldwide."

Trendy Club Med Bali was recently extensively refurbished and is located in the heart of the peaceful and sophisticated environs of Nusa Dua. Set in lush gardens the traditional Balinese style resort is nestled along a stretching white sand beach and an ideal choice for families and couples.

Club Med's all inclusive holiday packages include flights, transfers, accommodation, all day dining, snacks, an open bar, Kids Clubs, nightly entertainment and a range of activities including windsurfing, archery, yoga, soccer, golf and trapeze.

West Lombok to open culinary centers

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:16:49 PST

The West Lombok regency administration in West Nusa Tenggara province will build a culinary center on a highway leading to the Lombok International Airport to create a new economic hub.
“The traffic to Lombok International Airport will be quite high. People who leave the region may look for restaurants or souvenir shops,” West Lombok industrial and trade agency head Joko Wiratno said in Gerung, West Nusa Tenggara, on Sunday as reported by Antara news agency.
Joko said that the culinary and souvenir centers will be built in two locations: at the Sulin Bridge near the border with Central Lombok regency and around the Lombok Barat Bangkit traffic circle.
He said the project was aimed at creating business opportunities for local residents, as well as meeting the needs of travelers.
The regency administration will also build six other such centers in Jembatan Kembar, in front of the Tripat Gerung General Hospital, Batulayar, Pusuk, Gerimak and Keru. These areas will be allocated for street vendors and already have fruit centers to assist development of the culinary centers.
Lombok is popular for its pristine beaches and beautiful scenery. Several famous international tourist destinations include Senggigi beach and Gili islets

Featured Hotels on Lombok

Batik's Living Heritage on Display in New Show

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:40:00 PST

Batik is more than a mere textile. Its meanings and significance transcend its colors, motifs and fabrics.

In Java, people traditionally wear certain batik designs to show their social stature and power, or to communicate their best wishes for the future on important occasions such as coronations and weddings. For many people, batik is more than just an item of clothing — it is intertwined with every aspect of their lives.

Batik also fosters relationships among people from different countries and cultural backgrounds. The latest exhibition at the National Gallery, “Indonesian Batik: A Living Heritage,” is evidence of how batik has brought together people from many different walks of life and bound them as lifelong friends.

The exhibition offers an insight into batik’s history, its current developments and future possibilities.

More than 80 vintage batik pieces belonging to German and Indonesian collectors are now on display at the gallery in Central Jakarta.

“Batik is a trademark of Indonesia,” Norbert Baas, Germany’s ambassador to Indonesia, said at the exhibition opening on Wednesday.

“Batik, with its rich colors, motifs and meanings, has always charmed visitors to Indonesia. I think it has a lot of potential. I see a great future in batik.”

The exhibition is part of Germany and Indonesia (Jerin), a series of cultural celebrations to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Martin Krummeck, deputy managing director of the German-Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (Ekonid), is the coordinator of the exhibition.

“Batik is not only found in Yogyakarta and Solo, but everywhere in Indonesia,” he said. “Here we want to show you a glimpse into the huge range of batik and the many different cultures that have influenced its styles, colors and motifs.”

The “Indonesian Batik” exhibition will run at the National Gallery until Monday before traveling to East Java.

“I think more people should come to this exhibition, where they can actually learn something, rather than going to the malls and spending a lot of money,” said Johannas, an exhibition visitor. “It’s a very informative and well-executed exhibition.”

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Regent Bali Set to Open in June

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:36:28 PST

Regent Bali, a $100 million, 95-room luxury resort and residences, is scheduled to welcome its first guests to the idyllic Sanur district of Bali in June 2012.

Situated in the exclusive Sanur District; where the spectacular coral reef is complemented by picture-postcard swaying palms, white sandy beaches and tempting turquoise waters, the Regent Bali invites you to explore its four-acre estate of stunning tropical gardens and luxurious beach resort.

Popularly known as the ‘Island of the Gods’ and the ‘Dawn of the World’ for its rare and haunting beauty, Bali’s rich Indonesian culture and naturally hospitable people have made it one of the more sought-after international tourist destinations. Sanur itself; Bali’s original beachside resort and the location of our new hotel, is considered one of the island’s most elite and desirable areas.

Regent’s unrivalled reputation for sumptuous luxury and anticipatory service, together with its strong affinity with Asia, have been given full rein in the development of this exciting new resort. With its unrivalled comfort and elegant design, the Regent Bali will provide the ultimate premium beachfront hotel experience.

As the Spa capital of Asia, no trip to Bali would be complete without some serious physical and mental pampering. The Regent Bali has created a truly gourmet Spa experience and whether it is a dip in our luxury beachfront infinity pool, full-body aromatherapy, an indulgent Balinese massage, a stimulating workout at our well-equipped fitness centre or an afternoon simply relaxing on the shores of Sanur Beach, the Regent Bali is guaranteed to relax and soothe your senses.

More information: Regent Bali

Air New Zealand adds Bali to its international flights

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:13:48 PST

Air New Zealand has added new seasonal flights to its international routes with Bali now a direct destination.

Kiwis will now be able to fly non-stop to the popular holiday destination of Bali with the launch of Air New Zealand’s new twice weekly service between Auckland and Denpasar Airport.

The Boeing 767-300 service will operate seasonally over the peak demand period of June to October, but has the potential to operate year round if there’s sufficient demand.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe says Bali is already a popular destination for Kiwis and the non-stop service will now make it even more accessible.

“Our flight time of eight and a half hours is a significant improvement on the indirect services offered by competitors that can involve long layovers and a total journey time of at least 14 and sometimes more than 24 hours.”

“We’ll be offering our flexible and popular ‘Seats to Suit’ fare structure on the Bali route with great pricing and arrival and departure times to be announced closer to the on-sale date of 23 February,” Mr Fyfe says.

“Bali has a stable tropical climate and great value food and accommodation, making it a really affordable way for New Zealanders to enjoy a resort style holiday in Asia at a fraction of the price of other destinations.”

The inaugural flight will depart on Wednesday June 20, subject to government and regulatory approvals. The Boeing 767-300 has 24 Business Class and 204 Economy Class seats.

Bali is a great addition to Air New Zealand’s portfolio of island destinations which includes Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, Samoa, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Vanuatu, Norfolk Island, Niue and Honolulu.

Air New Zealand last operated services between Auckland to Bali in the 1990s using a Boeing 767-200 aircraft.

Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport Debuts Country's First Biometric Immigration Gates

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:22:49 PST

For Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Indonesia, long lines at the immigration counter is a thing of the past. Bio-key International Inc. has partnered with Oakwell Engineering to introduce the country's first biometric immigration gate that enables faster clearance times and increased security.
The new biometric gate solution provided by Oakwell and BIO-key expedites the immigration process.

It scans the e-passport and the barcode on the boarding pass, checks fingerprints, snaps a picture of the passengers and voila! they are through in less than three minutes.

"This is a step forward. With these auto gates protected by biometric technology, Soekarno-Hatta has made itself an international airport with sophisticated technologies," stated Maryoto Sumadi, spokesperson for the immigration office, in a press release.

According to Mike DePasquale, CEO at BIO-key International, Inc., as an offshoot of 9/11, airport security has become more stringent. This has resulted in long lines in security, multiple ID checkpoints and other new security measures that have all contributed to a not so enjoyable experience for passengers.

Fraser Residence Sudirman Jakarta Luxury Apartments

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:38:13 PST

Fraser Residence's luxury apartments has floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of Jakarta. Located in Jakarta's Golden Triangle Business District, this 5-star apartment complex has a gym and sport facilities.

Modern apartments at Fraser Residence Sudirman Jakarta have plenty of living space. Each well-appointed apartment is equipped with a flat-screen TV, iPod docking station and washing machine.

Guests can work out at the fitness centre, or relax in the steam room. With a 24-hour front desk, the hotel provides concierge and airport shuttle services.

The restaurant serves a variety of local and western dishes. All-day dining options are available.

Sudirman Jakarta Fraser Residence is a 10-minute drive from Grand Indonesia Plaza Senayan and Plaza Indonesia Shopping Mall. Free parking is provided.

Address: Jl. Setiabudi Raya, No. 9 Sudirman, Jakarta South, 12910 Jakarta

Garuda wins "Indonesian most admired company award" from Fortune

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:59:40 PST

National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has won an "Indonesian Most Admired Company Award" from Fortune Indonesia magazine for its success in implementing good corporate transformation program.

The award was an achievement the management of Garuda Indonesia could be proud of, Garuda technical and management director Hadinoto Soedigno said here on Wednesday.

"The achievement proves that all the efforts we have made to improve services and to conduct corporate transformation have given us good results, particularly the public`s positive perception and appreciation (of Garuda`s performance)," Hadinoto said in a press statement.

The magazine`s appreciation for Garuda`s transformation program was based on the results of a survey and research as well as on the public`s assessment of companies in Indonesia, he said.

"The assessment covered a number of aspects including leadership, management system, innovation, financial performance, corporate social responsibilities (CSR), human resources development, and development of managerial team," he said.

The award also went to other companies, including Unilever, Bank Mandiri, Telkom, Medco, BRI, Indosat, Aneka Tambang, and BCA.

Hadinoto said last year Garuda also won a number of awards from both national and international organizations in recognition of its achievement.

The awards included "Top Brand Award", "Indonesia Best Brand Award", "Annual Report Award", and "Good Corporate Governance/GCG Awards` from national organizations.

Also last year, Garuda won "World`s Most Improved Airline" from Skytrax London, an independent global airline rating agency, and "Airline Turnaround of the Year" from the Center of Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA)

Mulia Group Introduces a New Brand of Luxury to Bali, in 2012

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:30:41 PST

Luxury Hotel owners and operators, the Mulia Group are currently in development of a new Brand and Resort destination in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, opening 2012.

This is the place to bliss out everyone. Explore the dramatic coastline of Nusa Dua that surrounds The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas, experience the serenity of breathtaking landscapes, or stroll through the perfect for those special moments. Indulge amidst magnificent nature escape you will find nowhere else.

With stunning beach frontage along Nusa Dua's bay, The Mulia evokes a relaxed yet polished sensibility. From expansive and elegant suites to distinct lounge and oceanfront pools, The Mulia's luxury accommodations truly exceed expectations for style, comfort and service. Experience a relaxing retreat with lavish amenities at this amazing haven.

Exclusivity and luxurious interplay with the first designated purity reserve in the world. Featuring superbly designed rooms, suites, including Lagoon Suites, the recreation on Mulia Resort abounds and the pace is up to you to discover the chic of this luxury getaway. Mulia Resort's Café all-day brasserie offers dining with exquisite lake and ocean views. The signature seaside Mediterranean restaurant, Soleil, tantalizes your taste buds without compromise. In the evening, ZJ's Bar transforms into a definitely sophisticated place to see and be seen. Mulia Spa at Mulia Resort makes every effort to refresh, renew, and revive while you relax in a tranquil oasis.

Steps from the white sand beach, featuring private pathways to the secluded gardens and ultra exclusive hydrotherapy pools surrounded by lush landscapes, the exquisite Villas combine intimate settings with ultra-luxury services and amenities to craft an unparalleled island experience for those seeking a sense that transcends conventional tropical getaways.

Steal away to the island for a romantic retreat at Mulia. The lakeside chapel, Eternity, along with both Harmony and Unity chapels, each with seating for up to 250 guests, may create those once-in-a-lifetime memories of a truly special day for two only. The Grand Ballroom and Conference Rooms, with accommodation up to 5,000 guests, set the ideal stage for one-of-a-kind island celebrations, lavish executive retreat meetings and unforgettable social events.

Be pampered. Be spoilt. Be indulged. Nestling yourself in a blend of luxury and nature

The Mulia
This new ultra high end Brand from Mulia, offers an all suite property with individualized Butler Service, a meticulous attention to detail and unsurpassed sense of style and space,

Mulia Resort
Mulia Resort offers an incredible variety of spectacular rooms, suite, lagoon suites, dining opportunities and wonderful amenities.

Villas
The exquisite villa accommodations are the largest of their kind on the island. Ranging from one and two bedrooms villas, all the way to the six bedrooms Mulia Mansion.

About MULIA GROUP

Mulia Group is renowned for its cutting edge design, efficient space planning and operational excellence. From architectural design through to construction, marketing and property management, our team creates office environments that enable you to focus exclusively on your business. Our prestigious office towers include award winning landmarks such as Wisma Mulia, Wisma GKBI and Taman Anggrek Mall & Condominium. As an award winning hospitality Management Company, overseeing Hotel Mulia Senayan and the new Nusa Dua Development of The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas - Bali, the Mulia Group continues to raise the bar in luxury hotels throughout Indonesia.

For further information, please contact:

Pre-Opening Office
Wisma Mulia, 56th floor
Jl. Gatot Subroto No. 42
Jakarta 12710 - Indonesia
Tel +62 21 52971999, 5207729 Ext. 4538
Email: info@themulia.com
Website: www.themulia.com

Rainata Tjoa
Director of Communications
The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas - Nusa Dua, Bali

Indonesia Dec foreign tourist arrivals rise 12 pct y/y

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:15:52 PST

Indonesia's foreign tourist arrivals rose 12.47 percent in December from a year ago, slower than the 13.28 percent growth the previous month, the country's statistics bureau said on Wednesday.

The archipelago lags regional neighbours in attracting tourists, though some economists think boosting its service industries could be a new engine of growth for Southeast Asia's largest economy