Bali Ngurah Rai Aiport Undergoes 5-Phase Upgrade to Prepare for Onslaught of IMF-World Bank Delegate October 12-14, 2018

Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport is now in readiness to welcome an estimated 18,000 delegates, including several heads of State, attending the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – World Bank Conference October 10-12, 2018.

Quoted by the State News Agency Antara, the General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I, Yanus Suprayogi, said, “Five packets of airport development in preparation for IMF-World Bank Conference have been completed and are ready for use.”

Awaiting a final green light and safety verification from the Director General of Civil Aviation are the following five improvements that have cost Rp. 2.2 trillion to install at the 285-hectare airport.

1. The development of six new parking apron areas on the western side of the airport that will be used for parking VVIP aircraft coming to Bali for the IMF-World Bank Conference. One apron area will have the capacity of accommodating 13 parked aircraft.
2. The development of four more apron areas on the eastern side of the airport for VVIP aircraft parking. This project entailed the movement of a waste water treatment facility.
3. The design and development of a VVIP facility, an operational command for the Indonesian Air Force and the consruction of an aircraft maintenance facility. The VVIP building has two sections – one for VIPs and one VVIP.
4. Construction of a domestic departure terminal and special international terminal. Departure counters have been increased from 26 to 126.
5. Contruction of a multi-level parking facility capable of serving 546 cars.

Dusit Thani has expanded into the high-end vacation rental market through the full acquisition of Elite Havens, a provider of holiday lets in Asia.

(11/09/2018)

Dusit made the acquisition through its wholly owned Hong Kong-incorporated subsidiary, Dusit Overseas Company, which has bought all shares in LVM Holdings, a Singapore-incorporated company and the ultimate holding company of Elite Havens.

The deal is valued at US$15 million.

Established in 1998, LVMH directly and indirectly holds shares in nine companies in south-east Asian countries.

The largest company of its kind in Asia, it performs integrated marketing, reservations, concierge and management services for luxury villas and currently maintains a network of more than 200 fully staffed properties across Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

“Our investment in Elite Havens marks another important milestone in our strategic journey, particularly our two-pronged plan for expansion, which includes doubling our number of hotels in operation, and providing broadened experiences for our customers.” said Suphajee Suthumpun, group chief executive, Dusti Thani.

“Our current brand line up covers the midscale through to luxury hotel segments.

“Now, with the addition of Elite Havens, we are delighted to cover the luxury villa rental segment too.

Following its strategy for balance, diversification and expansion, Dusit has been actively enhancing its operations with investments in new market segments.

The company made moves into the shared economy last year with an investment in Favstay, a Thai hospitality start-up offering condos and villas for rent in Thailand’s top destinations, and in April this year Dusit announced it would also enter the affordable lifestyle segment with the launch of ASAI Hotels.

Jon Stonham, chief executive, Elite Havens, said: “With our strong focus on people and exceeding expectations with our services, Elite Havens shares the same values as Dusit, so there is already a strong synergy for us to build on.

“We look forward to a very bright future of sustainable and profitable growth as we expand our operations as part of the Dusit family.”


Source: http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/dusit-thani-acquires-elie-havens-in-15m-deal/

Hotel Investors Gather in Bali to Explore the Future

The 2nd Annual Indonesian Hotel Investment Conference (IHIC 2014) was held at The Grand Nikko Bali Resort on Friday, June 6, 2014.

Sponsored by the Bali Hotels Association (BHA) and Horwath HTL, more than 130 key players in the regional hotel and accommodation property sector attend the one-day program of keynote speeches, break out session and a networking “power lunch” and closing cocktail reception sponsored byBir Bintang and Artisan Estate Wines.

An opening address by the former Minister of Tourism and Culture, I Gede Ardika provided an opening counterpoint to an otherwise very pro-development agenda of speakers.

Ardika opened the conference with a call for developers and local leaders to carefully consider both the cultural and environmental carrying capacity of Bali. The well-respected former minister challenged his audience to avoid steps and decisions that marginalize the Balinese. Quoted in Bali Daily (The Jakarta Post), Ardika said: “This is our challenge. Tourism practitioners in Bali should rethink whether the current model of development will continue to be tolerated. And local people should be aware [of whether] they wish to let their island be ‘destroyed’ like this.” 

Ardika, who was born in Bali, warned that overdevelopment of Bali is surpassing the island’s land, water, food and resource sustainability. Adding: “Investors have to be integrated with the community [members], partnering with them, respecting each other and strengthening local identity. You are the ones on the front line of preserving the attractiveness of Bali.” 

As the island has seen an unprecedented growth in new rooms, Ardika described how this has brought room rates under pressure, bringing Indonesia to the unenviable place of being the Southeast Asian country with the lowest hotel rates.

Also opening the conference was Wiryanti Sukamdani, chairwoman of theIndonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) and the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board, who presented an overview of 288 hotels expected to be opened in Indonesia by 2016. Sukamdani said: “Of the total number, 67 hotels will be built in Bali. I have no idea where these 67 hotels will be built. We don’t have rice fields anymore. We have to preserve the natural landscape and the environment. When we build hotels, we need water, electricity, and food. . . This is a challenge for the tourism industry.” 

Sharing PHRI data with the conference delegates, Sukamdani calculated in 2011 that there were 22,000 rooms for sale in Bali. She said that total increased to 25,400 in 2012 and in 2013 stood at 50,100 rooms. The PHRI chairwoman predicted the total would increase to 55,200 before the end of 2014.

These totals do not include the phenomenal increase in commercial villas that pay an increasingly role in Bali’s accommodation sector.

A total of 36 speakers and panelists presented their insights and views on a the investment outlook for Bali; a statistical review of the Indonesian Hotel Industry; the suitability of current development models; how to grow tourism while preserving the indigenous culture and the natural environment; challenges to building a hotel brand in Indonesia; recent innovations in smart design for hotels; the financing of accommodation projects; the challenges presented by social media, OTAs and new travel distribution networks; and the ins and outs of branded residences in Bali.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Bali Divided into Four Separate Campaign Zones for Legislative Elections

(3/9/2014)

The province of Bali will be divided into four separate zones for the coming legislative campaign and elections to be held from March 16, 2014 until April 5, 2014.

The division up of the island into separate zones was agreed recently at a meeting between the Provincial Election Board (KPU-Bali) and the political parties.

Quoted by the State News Agency Antara, Kadek Wirati said in Denpasar on Tuesday, March 4, 2014,  “We have given equal schedules and equivalent time allocations for campaigning so the campaign will be seen as fair and just by all participating parties.”

Wirati explained that the nine regencies and metropolitan areas of Bali have been divided into four campaign zones, with every zone encompassing between two to three regencies.

• Zone I includes the city of Denpasar and the regency of Gianyar.
• Zone II includes the regencies of Badung and Tabanan.
• Zone III includes the regencies of Jembrana and Buleleng.
• Zone IV includes the regencies of Bangli, Klungkung and Karangasem.

Meanwhile, candidates for the Regional Representative Council (DPD-RI) will be given chance to campaign. “Five DPD candidate can campaign at the same time in a single regency,” explained Wirati.

KU-Bali hopes that an open and free campaign will run peacefully and its integrity guarded by all concerned. Properly undertaken, KPU-Bali is confident that the democratic process will also prove interesting to visiting tourists coming to the island.

During the period March 28 – April 1, 2014 over the Hindu New Year celebrations Bali will be free of campaign activities as mutually agred by of all the competing political parties.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Foreign Arrivals by Major Markets

• AUSTRALIA – continues to be the leader for tourist visitors. The strong growth experienced in Australian arrivals over the past half-decade, however, now appears to be cooling with arrivals up only 1.37% for January-June 2013.
• PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA – PRC arrivals have increased 15.09% in the first half of 2013, firmly cementing the Mainland Chinese market’s role as the second largest producer of foreign visitors to Bali – a ranking held by the Chinese for the past three years.
• JAPAN – After falling into the doldrums, Japanese arrivals are on a rebound, responding to added flight capacities and more focused promotion. Japanese arrivals increased 17.87% during the first six months of 2013 totaling 96,013.
• MALAYSIA – Cheap flights, and lots of them, continue to boost Malaysian visitors to Bali. With 93,200 visitors from Malaysia during the first six months of 2013, Malaysian arrivals are up12.29% and stand poised to potentially push Japan out of third place in the race for foreign source markets to Bali.
• SINGAPORE – Singapore arrivals are up 15.28% for the first half of 2013 at 63,510. Will an additional flight bySingapore Airlines help to boost Singapore arrival numbers even higher?
• SOUTH KOREAN – South Korean visitors – on a cumulative basis – declined 1.86% during the first six months of the year.
• TAIWAN – Taiwanese visitors are on the mend, improving January – June 2013 by 8.99%.
• UNITED KINGDOM – The news is not good from the U.K. with visitors down 7.41% from the U.K. during the six months of 2013. Will these declining numbers in U.K. visitors divert Garuda Indonesia from its plans to recommence flights to the U.K?
• UNITED STATES – In 9th place among all source markets for Bali visitors, American tourists are up 7.77% for the first half of 2013.
• FRANCE – The French are operating on something of a plateau with an increase of only 1.34% for visitors January-June 2013.
• RUSSIA – Russian visitors have increased a respectable 7.57% during the first half of 2013.
• GERMANY- Despite any economic woes in Germany, German tourists continue to visit Bali, improving 9.94% January-June 2013.
• INDIA– India is increasingly a player in Bali tourism with arrivals January to June up 23.56% totaling 31,529.
• THE NETHERLANDS – Dutch visitors declined 1.47% during the first six months of 2013 and have been supplanted in the rankings by India.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Statue of Namesake of Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport Moved to New Location Closer to Entrance

(7/21/2013)

Gusti Ngurah Rai – the Balinese revolutionary hero went missing in action, at least temporarily.

At 11:30 pm on Monday. July 15, 2013, the statue of Colonel I Gusti Ngurah Rai left its dais at the round-about near the airport’s entrance and was moved to a new location even closer to the new entrance to the airport.

The move, necessitated by the extensive remodeling and upgrade underway at Bali’s airport, was approved by the family of the illustrious revolutionary leader who perished on November 20, 1946 in the Puputan Margarana near Tabanan, West Bali.

The timing and date of the move was done in accordance with dewasa aya– the Balinese calendar that sets out specific and propitious dates for major undertakings.

The entire move went smoothly requiring only one hour to complete and took place almost one year later than originally planned by the airport authority and four year’s after the monument's initial erection.

Much care and attention was invested in the statue's initial erection in 2009. The statues (including its pedestal) stood 8 meters high and was surrounded by 17 water fountains in order to reflect the founding date of the Indonesian Republic August 17, 1945.

It is not clear if this numerological significance has been preserved in the statue’s new location.

Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport is home to two commemorative statues honoring the Airport’s namesake. One statue of Gusti Ngurah Rai stands in the newly created roundabout at the airport entrance to the new Bali toll way and the second, the just-move statue now standing near the airport’s entrance.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Opening Date and Tariff for Bali’s New Toll Road will Only be Known after July 25, 2013

(7/7/2013)

When, exactly, Bali’s new toll road connecting Benoa – Ngurah Rai Airport - Nusa Dua will open and what it will cost to travel Bali’s first toll road remain uncertain.

While Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to formally inaugurate the road on July 13, 2013, the actual opening of the road to traffic may be sometime later.

The State News Agency Antara says that roadworthiness tests will only be completed on July 25, 2013. 

But that does not mean the road will immediately open on that date. Drajad Hari Suseno, the spokesman for the roadway’s operators PT Jasa Marga Bali Tol, said: “One the road worthiness tests are done, only then can we seek approval of the tariff for the roadway.”

Drajad said the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Transportation and the Indonesian Police would carry out the roadworthiness certification. The official tariff to be charged the public will be set by the Minister of Public Works.

PT Jasa Marga Bali Tol has already proposed a tariff for four-wheeled vehicles of Rp. 10,000 (US$1.00) and for motorcycles Rp. 4,000 (US$0.40).

Among the areas to be reviewed in determining the roadworthiness of the Bali toll road is the conformance of the road’s design with existing regulations, demarcation and signage and the finishing of the road surface.

Drajad also explained that wind speed monitors are being installed on the road, permitting the road to be closed to motorcycles or cars if wind conditions make the road unsafe for vehicular traffic.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Shoddy Roadwork Work Cited at Bali’s New Dewa Ruci Simpang Siur Underpass

(6/9/2013)

Complaints are raining in regarding the poor quality of cement paving done by PT Adhi Karya and others in the construction of the new underpass project at the Dewa Ruci Monument at Simpang Siur. 

As reported by Beritabali.com, the cement finish on the roadway through the underpass is uneven and wavy, providing a less-than-smooth ride for passing motorists.

The chairman of the Bali Chapter of the National Association of Contractors, Wayan Adnyana, says, “In my opinion the uneven quality of the cement in underpass is due to one of two possible causes. It was either not built in accordance the original design plans (bestek) or the workmanship is of inferior quality."

Saying he had read complaints about the quality of work on the new road in the local press, Adnyana who also serves as a member of the Bali Provincial House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali), added: “The people have every right to voice their opinion on a project that consumed billions of rupiah from both national and regional budgets. The people will also the ones to use the new road together with the millions of tourists who holiday in Bali.”

Adnyana said he would soon visit the project site to review the overall quality of work performed by the contractor. Such a review, he insisted, must be done before the formal handover of the project from the contractors - PT Adhi Karya to the government.

Adnyana told the press that the land occupied by the new underpass is labile, due to its close location to the mangrove forests. Nonetheless, if the road is “rolling” he insisted there remains little choice but to tear up the road and redo the cement paving.

“The purpose of the underpass is to reduce traffic congestion in South Bali. Because of this the work must be of a high quality, because tens of thousand of vehicles will use the road every day,” sad Adnyana.

The project manager for the new underpass, Hendro Satrio, confirmed to reporters on May 28, 2013, that the roadway was indeed “wavy” and that the road is currently undergoing trial operations. “We are testing the road. In connection with complaints received from the public, we will review the project. We are now correcting deficiencies,” he said.

According to Satrio, a formal review of the project by the contractors would be delivered in June.

The Dewa Ruci Underpass Project was built by PT Adhi Karya and associates at a total cost of Rp. 136.19 billion (US$13.6 million) covering an area of 0.744 hectares.

The project is part of several major infrastructure projects funded by the government in anticipation of the APEC International Summit to take placein October 2013.

Asphalt is not the Answer

There is concern in some circles that the contractors, under pressure by deadlines to complete and handover the project, will offer to reseal the road with asphalt - a step that would quickly improve the “ride” and remove the current unevenness of the underpass’ road bed.

Critics, however, cite the environmental concerns of using a petroleum-based seal on the road and the fear that resurfacing with asphalt  will only incur  additional cost for Bali in the future necesitated by  having to reseal the highway every 4 to 5 years.

Although certain to cause a delay in the handover, critics argue that PT Adhi Karya must be compelled by the government to rebuild the road bed by replacing the cement so inexpertly installed initially.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Governor Names Nine to Head Bali Tourism Promotion Board

(6/7/2013)

The Jakarta Post reports that Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika will “immediately inaugurate" the Bali Tourism Promotion Board (BPPD) comprised of local tourism leaders and academics charged with promoting Bali tourism overseas.

Said Pastika on Wednesday, June 5, 2013: “I am eager to inaugurate the board as soon as possible, so that the board could work soon. I strongly support the board to identify and answer the many challenges in Bali’s tourism.” 

An official decree issued in December 2012 called for the creation of the BPPD led by nine members drawn from tourism, academia and government circles.

Appointed to head the BPPD are:

• Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati (Cok Ace) the former regent of Gianyar and chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI).
• Bagus Sudibya, a hotel and travel company owner in Bali and also a member of the Association of Tour and Travel Agents (ASITA).
• Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, a hotel owner and a member of the Indonesian Tourism Association (GIPI).
• Yos WK Amerta, a marine tourism operator and a member of the Indonesian Marine Tourism Association (Gahawisri).
• Sang Putu Subaya from the Association of Tour Guides Association (HPI).
• Putu Juarez Robin Putra, owner of a professional conference organizer and a member of the Society of Indonesian Professional Convention Organizers (SIPCO).
• Professor Dr. Komang Bendesa, an Assistant Rector at Bali’s Udayana University.
• Putu Saroyoni Piartini, a lecturer in management studies at Udayana University.
• Taufik Hidayat, general manager for Garuda Indonesia in Bali.

Explaining the delays in the launch of the BPPD, Pastika blamed his preoccupation with poverty eradication, saying: “Previously, I was more focused on poverty eradication. However, through the board, I hope we could re-organize our tourism that has been developed without an adequate plan.”

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Luxury Traditional Japanese-Style Resort to Open Near Ubud in 2014

(6/7/2013)

Hoshino Resort Company has announced that they will open a luxury Japanese-style luxury resort in a community north of Ubud in 2014.

The Hoshinoya Bali will offer 30 villas at Banjar Pangembungan at Desa Pejeng Kangin in Tampaksiring.

Hoshino Resort’s president Yoshiharu Hoshino promises that the new Bali hotel will promote “Omotenashi” – the trademark Japanese style of hospitality.

This will be the first overseas property for the traditional Japanese hotel operator.

Daily rates are expected to cost around US$$700 per night.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

639 Guides Licensed to Serve Bali Visitors

(6/2/2013)

639 tour guides in Bali holding expired licenses have passed recertification tests allowing them to once again work as legal guides.

The State News Agency Antara quotes the head of the Provincial Tourism Office for Bali (Kadisparda), Ida Bagus Kade Subhisku, who announced “the results of the training course and certification process run by the Indonesian Guide Association (HPI) has satisfactorily fulfilled our aims and wishes.”

The 639 certified guides can now receive a recommendation from the governor of Bali that will put an operational permit in their hands allowing to officially work as guides. Official identity cards issued by the government are being prepared to permit the public to recognize them as eligible to lead guided tours.

“From all those following the recertification process only eight people failed to pass the examination. Looking at these satisfying results, we will discuss repeating a similar course soon,” said Subhisku.

The head of Bali’s chapter of HPI, Putu Subaya, said the certification process represents a combined effort by his association and the provincial government to reduce the presence of illegal guides on Bali.

Subaya said there are still travel agencies in Bali who use unlicensed guides to lead their tours.

The certification course covered a curriculum of 23 different study modules and was taught by senior tourism practitioners and academics.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Leading Indonesian Educator Claims Indonesian Tourism is Uncoordinated due to a General Lack of Understanding of How the Tourism Industry Works

(3/22/2013) 

Tourism in Indonesia was likened to a “sound system without a operator” by the chairman of the Ambarrukmo Tourism Academy (Stipram), Suhendroyono, during commencement exercises held in Yogyakarta, Central Java, on Wednesday, March 20, 2013.

Quoted by Kompas.com, Suhendroyono said that tourism in Indonesia has a huge potential to provide a benefit to the people.

The failure of tourism to improve the welfare of the people, according to Suhendroyono, is because the industry leaders do not understand the tourism marketplace; have failed to analyze tourism’s potential; and, in the end, failed to coordinate efforts between different sectors.

“Indonesia tourism has great potential, but because there is little understanding on how to develop that potential, we continue to fail. By thoroughly understanding tourism- the government, investors, business people and the public can then analyze the true potential of tourism and package tourism products to their best potential.” Suhendroyono explained.

To enhance the public’s understanding of tourism, Suhendroyono suggests that tourism studies should form part of the academic curriculum starting from grade school.

If the science of tourism is taught from the earliest levels, he argues, people will understand how tourism works and all parties will be able to work together to explore the industries potential and make Indonesian internationally competitive with other destinations.

“What’s more,” he said, “the science of tourism always present positive aspects of society such as culture, tradition, peace, morality and environmentalism. Because of this, its not only a raised understanding of tourism that will result through education, but also character building.”

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Twice Weekly Service by Cebu Pacific Creates Direct Flight Connection Between Philippines and Bali

(3/22/2013)

Philippine low-cost airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) commenced service between Manila on Bali on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Flights between the two cities will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays leaving Manila at 4:00 am and landing in Bali at 7:50 am to return by leaving Bali at 8:35 am on the same days to land in Manila at 12:25 pm.

Cebu Airline currently flies between Manila and Jakarta 4 times a week.

The airline operates to 20 international destinations including Osaka, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 25 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 43 aircraft is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. 

Between 2013 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 17 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Rapid Loss of Farming Lands in Bali Threatens Agricultural Self-sufficiency

(3/17/2013)

The rapid loss of agricultural lands in Bali to tourist accommodation, residential housing and commercial uses is threatening government goals to make the Island self-sufficient in rice.

As reported by The Bali Post, data on the amount of productive agricultural land remaining in Bali at the end of 2011 was 39,033 hectares. One year earlier the amount of agricultural land was put at 47,934 hectares representing a decline of 17.7%, in a single year.

The head of Bali’s Bureau of Statistics (BPS), Gde Suarsa, warns that if this trend if not urgently addressed it will mean agricultural production in Bali will experience a significant decline, threatening Bali’s food security.

Accordingly, rice production in Bali for the period January-April 2012 declined 9.9% - a reduction of 31.374 tons when compared to the same period in 2011.

Warned Suarsa: “This has to be addressed seriously so production will not decline further. Even though we are maximizing production from Bali land under cultivation, the owners of agricultural land must stop selling their lands.”

A Bali-based economist, Professor Dr. Gede Sri Darma, also warns that self-sufficiency in rice will be difficult to achieve if the government and the public do not work together to preserve agricultural land and maximize the use of existing agricultural lands through technology.

Professor Nyoman Suparta of Bali’s Udayana University added that Bali can still achieve agricultural self-sufficiency if farmers and other parties share a commitment to work hard to achieve that goal.

Suparta said that the necessary measures to preserve productive agricultural lands were already contemplated in the 2009 Zoning Regulation (RTRWP). Unfortunately, he added, the implementation of those policies continues to be hotly debated between provincial and regional authorities.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Bali’s Kerobokan Prison Warden Doubts Schapelle Corby will be Granted Parole without First Demonstrating Remorse for her Crimes

(3/17/2013)

The Jakarta Globe reports that the chief warden at Bali’s Kerobokan Prison has publicly cast doubts of any possibility that Schapelle Corby, the 36-year-old Australian marijuana smuggler, will walk out of his prison on parole, despite guarantees being made on her behalf by the Australian government.

Corby is currently scheduled to end her 20-year sentence, less remissions and time served, on September 27, 2017, after then spending nearly 12 years behind bars.

In recent weeks, the Australian government has made special written entreaties to the Indonesian Ministry of Justice seeking that Corby be allowed to spend the remainder of her sentence in Bali, living in a private residence under regular monitoring and control by law enforcement officials.

Gusti Ngurah Wiratna, the chief warden at Bali’s Kerobokan prison, has warned that the Australian woman’s uncooperative demeanor, a refusal to admit and take responsibility for her crimes, and failure to adopt the role of a “justice collaborator” by providing full details behind her criminal activity – all weigh against any granting of parole.

Said Wiratna: 

“She should have admitted where the drugs came from on an official statement and then the statement would be sent to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN). Corby can choose not to be one (a justice collaborator) she has the immunity, but the consequence is that she can't be released on parole.”

Wiratna also told the press that in addition to letters sent by the Australian government and Corby’s family in support of her parole application, further clarifications on where she would live in Bali are needed together with a frank and full admission of wrongdoing by the prisoner.

Iskandar Nawing, the Indonesian lawyer representing Corby, said he would discuss the possibility of becoming a “justice collaborator” with his client.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Indonesian Minister of Energy Jero Wacik Inaugurates Indonesia’s First Solar Power Plant in East Bali

(3/3/2013)

A solar-energy generation project worth Rp. 26 billion (US$2.6 million) was inaugurated in Kubu, Karangasem, Bali on Monday, February 25, 2013

The Solar Energy Generation Project (PLTS)  able to produce substantial power for Bali’s power grid was officiated over by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Jero Wacik, Bali’s governor Made Mangku Pastika, the director general of New Energy Sources and Power Conservation (EBTKE), the director general of electrification, the CEO of the State Power Board (PT PLN) and the regent of Karangasem.

The Karangasem Solar Energy project is the first of its kind in Bali. Rated at 1 Mega-watt, the center is expected to produce 2.88 million-kilowatts over a project lifetime of 20 years. The PLTS in Karangasem is also calculated to reduce the carbon footprint of producing such a quantity of power by 2.566 tons of CO2.

Quoted by Beritabali.com, Jero Wacik said at the inauguration ceremony: “This represents the first PLTS and, for the moment, the largest in Indonesia. Next year we will build another PLTS with even more electrical capacity.”

Wacik added that the solar energy generation center in Karangasem covers a land area of 1.7 hectares and is expected to become a model program for the use of solar energy as a source of electrical power in Indonesia in the future. Adding, “There is no limit to the amount of solar energy available for our use.”

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Former Gianyar Regent and Current PHRI Chairman Calls on Government to Stop Issuing Permits for New Hotel Projects

(3/3/2013)

The government must take steps to protect land holdings in Bali. 

This is the warning given by the chairman of the Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati (Cok Ace), who formerly held the office of regent of Gianyar, in comments made to the press on Friday, March 1, 2013.

Emphasizing that Bali’s land belongs to the people of Bali, Cok Ace said land is the asset that will allow the Balinese people to preserve and protect the Island’s tradition and culture. 

Quoted by Bisnis Bali, Cok Ace said that large amounts of agricultural land have been diverted for use by villas. The increase in accommodation in Bali has resulted in the loss of land once owned by the Balinese once used for cultural practice.

Cok Ace said that tourism operators who are members of PHRI are sad to see the diminishing amount of agricultural lands in Bali. He contends that his fellow PHRI members never imagined Bali’s current situation and the sacrifices being made for tourist accommodation.

He said now is the time for the government to reduce permits  approvals for new accommodation and housing estates, especially on land that is still agriculturally productive. He warned that the loss of quality farming land will eventually reduce the earning capacity of the people of Bali, while the boom in new accommodation will result in less income from tourism resulting from unhealthy price competition and discounting.

He went on to warn that tourist accommodation in Bali has now turned into a business of property speculation with little regard for the island’s future or its tourism reputation.

In closing, Cok Ace said it is time for the people of Bali to be fully involved in developing the Island’s tourism. “The people of Bali must not become mere spectators, but must also become tourism practitioners,” said the PHRI chairman for Bali.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Chandra Himawan Heads Hotel Link Solutions - Bali Offering Digital Marketing Solutions to Small and Medium-Sized Hotels and Villas

(2/23/2013)

As part of its expansion across Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, Hotel Link Solutions have appointed Bali Discovery Tours – Bali’s leading destination management company as the exclusive sales agent of its digital solutions to local businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry.

The new division of the Bali-based company, operating as Hotel Link Solutions – Bali is licensed to use an advanced software system that provides digital marketing solutions primarily for small to medium sized hotels, guest houses, condotels and villas. By providing fully-functional websites incorporating a state-of-the-art booking engine, accommodation providers obtain a level of control over their pricing and inventory, previously only available to branded hotels. Hotel Link Solutions also provides hotels and villas with travel channel management featuring real-time instant access to leading On-Line-Travel-Agents (OTAs) ensuring the widest distribution of their room inventories.

Hotel Link Solutions-Bali now has in place a dedicated team of professionals able to quickly and efficiently enhance the online presence of local accommodation providers. Options offered to by Hotel Link Solutions-Bali include booking widgets for established websites, template-driven websites and channel management.

Chandra Himawan

Heading Hotel Link Solutions-Bali is Chandra Himawan, a Jakarta native, and a multi-degree holder with degrees in hotel management from Trisakti University and the University of Salamanca in Spain.

Prior to heading Hotel Link Solutions-Bali, Chandra worked for several years as a broadcaster with TV One in Jakarta, undertaking a number of overseas broadcast assignments.

“We understand that e-enabling small accommodations providers is the next step in Bali and the rest of Indonesia to improving the service quality and increasing revenue in the tourism industry,” stated André Franchini, CEO of Hotel Link Solutions. “Also, by providing the right solutions to hoteliers, they will have more control of their online presence, which is key in any successful marketing strategy.”

Joining the Bali-based project in December 2012 and undergoing a period of training at an international gathering of Hotel Link Solutions professionals in Vietnam, Chandra Himawan is now busily signing up hotel and villas in Bali and other parts of Indonesia.

Said Chandra: “It is particularly rewarding to be able to offer a low-cost digital marketing solution to Indonesia accommodation providers that virtually eliminates the cost of maintaining an in-house IT department, empowers owners and operators with new real time flexibility in pricing and inventory control, and has a proven ability to increase on-line bookings through on-line linkages we facilitate with major OTAs.”

About Hotel Link Solutions

Hotel Link Solutions is a first-generation digital-marketing services provider for the accommodation industry. As a WHL Group and ResOnline joint venture, Hotel Link Solutions has tapped deep resources and wide industry reach to develop a world-class and competitive range of products. Hotel Link Solutions is committed to building a sustainable future for travel and to ensuring that all relationships with clients, staff, business partners and host communities are win-win.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com

Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association Want Hotels to Cooperate in Regulating Unlicensed On-Line Travel Agents

(2/22/2013)

As part of ongoing efforts to regulate illegal travel agents in Bali, the vice-chairman of the Bali Chapter of Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI-Bali), Nyoman Suwidjana, says complete data from hotels in Bali is needed to catalog all the online travel agents (OTAs) currently working with Bali hotels.

Suwidjana insists that the member hotels of PHRI should readily and happily provide this information when asked by the government or associations.

Quoted by Bisnis Bali, Suwidjana said on Tuesday, February 19, 2013, that in principle all travel agents cooperating with hotels in Bali must be licensed. The holding of the valid licenses by travel agents, he said, means the subject travel agent is acting responsibly, including their on-line sales practices.

According to Suwidjana, on-line travel agency transactions have their own share of strengths and weaknesses. The hotels generally receive orders for rooms from on-line travel agents with, in many cases, the customer paying directly to the hotel. This removes the need for hotels to collect money from travel agents.

Among the weaknesses, the on-line travel agent are often unable to guarantee their bookings, while hotels have difficulties charging “no-show” fees when guest fail to materialize. He also contends that on-line travel agents can be guilty of “double booking” as a means to block rooms for sale to their clients.

Nyoman Suwidjana said on-line travel agents in Bali must become member of the Indonesian Association of Travel Agents (ASITA), urging, in turn, that ASITA consider opening a special on-line division.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com