Directed by Manuel Segovia y Violeta Ruiz, the internationally renowned "Iberia De Danca" Dance Company is being flown in directly from Spain to perform at the festival. A special Spanish Buffet will also form a part of the festival.

Bookings can be made via the hotels Guest Relations Office or send an e-mail to meliabali@denpasar.wasantara.net.id

Did you know that dance plays an important part of Melia Bali's guest activities? In addition to this special event, this hotel maintains its own professional dance troupe providing regular evening shows for visitors to the island.

 

SPECIAL JATA DELEGATION VISIT TO BALI

From July 18 to 21 a special delegation from JATA (Japan Association of Travel Agents) visited Indonesia and undertook a series of meetings with Government and Industry leaders to discuss security issues.

Japan currently has a Level 1 warning in place for Bali and a Level 2 warning for the rest of Indonesia. A level one warning only allows Japanese Travel agents to sell a destination after warning a traveller of a potential security risk while a Level 2 warning absolutely forbids the sale of package holidays to areas where a Level 2 warning is in effect.

After a series of very positive meetings in Indonesia, it is hoped that the JATA team returned to Tokyo and made immediate representations to the Japanese Department of Foreign Affairs for the removal of all travel warnings to Indonesia.

 

JOOP AVE - BACK IN TOURISM

The Indonesian Tourism industry was very happy to learn that President Habibie has appointed the former Minister of Tourism , Post and Telecommunications, Mr. Joop Ave, to assume a role as a special Presidential Advisor on Tourism and Culture.

Mr. Ave, a former Minister of Tourism, Post,  and Telecommunications is known internationally as an expert on tourism development and is widely seen as the inspiration behind the development of the national tourism industry dating from the early 1980's.

This advisory  position, reporting directly to the President, will allow Mr. Ave to call on his many years of experience and unquestioned expertise in tourism to advise the Government on how to quickly  revitalize the national tourism product.

Welcome back, Pak Joop!

 

APPEAL FROM U.S. TRAVEL JOURNALIST

Well known U.S. travel editor, Jim Ruggia,  is preparing an  article for Newsweek International on Special Interest Travel to Asia. He is interested in hearing urgently from anyone who has information on Bali-based tours which  include  art classes, painting classes with Balinese painters, wood-carving classes, dance classes, and cooking classes.

Please send Jim any information you have on the above to Jim at  e-mail: BrownRuggia@msn.com

 

PUFF - THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN

Visitors to the Central Javanese Kingdom of Yogyakarta between the dates of July 11 and July 19 were treated to magnificent pyroclastic displays as Mount Merapi exploded, sending lava flows down the western face of the volcano.  At the height of the explosions, some nearby villages on the slopes of the mountain were evacuated but have since been allowed to return to their homes. Major tourist areas and nearby Yogyakarta were never at risk during the most recent volcanic activity on Mount Merapi.

Fine volcanic dust, however,  was deposited over a 20 kilometre radius, including the Buddhist monument of Borobodor and the nearby Hindu temple of Prambanan. Local workers are now busy  removing the dust with brooms and water hoses.

Tourists are  reported flocking to the area and taking advantage of what is described by the regional head of volcanology, Dr. A. Ratdomopurbo, as almost unequalled views of the volcano from nearby observation posts.

Meanwhile, in nearby Yogyakarta, the rumblings last week of the volcano represent the only noise in an otherwise peaceful landscape. The much respected and revered Sultan of Yogyakarta,  His Excellency Hamengkubuwono X,  has lead a peaceful local movement for political and democratic reform. The Sultan, in cooperation with the Governor of Yogyakarta, Paku Alam VIII, have lead mass prayers for peace and,  by so doing, have done much to guarantee the continuing tranquillity in Central Java's Ancient Kingdom.

 

CNN - THANK YOU !

While I have not spared the megabytes in taking CNN to task for what many of us in the industry view as less-than-completely-accurate reporting on Indonesia in the past, let me also take the opportunity to congratulate Maria Ressa for her report on "Let's Go Indonesia" aired on CNN over the past few days.

This coverage emphasized the very positive aspects of current nation-wide efforts to revive the National tourism industry and emphasized a central theme of this newsletter that tourism can help lead the way to national healing and recovery.

In short, Indonesia offers unparalleled  travel bargains to foreign visitors at present and visitors  can come to our beautiful islands in full anticipation of a safe and enjoyable visit.

 

PATA CHAPTER FORMED IN MANADO

Through the urging and support of  PATA BALI CHAPTER and PATA INDONESIA - JAKARTA CHAPTER , a PATA Satellite chapter has been formed in Manado, North Sulawesi.   The Association represents the first cohesive organization of tourism based organizations in North Sulawesi. Association activities will focus on attracting foreign tourist and foreign investment to North Sulawesi.

Manado, the provincial capital, is a convenient and easily reachable base from which to explore the many natural wonders of North Sulawesi. Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado has regular non-stop flight service to/from Singapore and Davao, Philippines as well as other areas of Indonesia.

North Sulawesi has an abundance and variety of accommodation and facilities available to meet the needs of travellers from backpackers and budget class to four star resorts.  The natural wonders of North Sulawesi make it well suited to both organized and adventure travel. The full spectrum of scuba diving activities is available in North Sulawesi. Diving ranges from steep walls and magnificent coral gardens of Bunaken Marine Park and Bangka Strait to walls of fishes and underwater volcanoes in the Sangihe Islands to the unusual and rarely seen critters of Lembeh Strait.  Whales and dugongs attract visitors and scientists alike.

Land-based activities focus on rain forest hiking in Tangkoko nature Reserve (home to the largest concentration of black crested macaques and the world's smallest primate, the tarsier) and Dumoga Bone national Park (home to the fabled babirusa pig deer and other endemic mammals), along with viewing scenic waterfalls, volcano climbing and river rafting.  The Tomohon/Tondano highlands area, rice paddies, coconut plantations and flower gardens are easily accessible.  Hot springs, horseback riding and a variety of cultural diversions round out the land based activities.

For more information contact:
Jeremy H. Barnes PATA Chairman/ North Sulawesi

Angelique Batuna    PATA  Secretary / North Sulawesi
PACIFIC ASIA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION
NORTH SULAWESI CHAPTER
PO BOX 236 MANADO, NORTH SULAWESI   INDONESIA   95123 PHONE: (62-438) 32504  FAX: (62-438) 31400
EMAIL :  nspata@manado.wasantara.mega.net.id

PATA BALI issues a warm welcome to its brother-chapter in Manado! Yogyakarta - you're next!

J.M. Daniels
Editor/ Vice Chairman PATA BALI CHAPTER

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