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BALI UPDATE #375 - 17
November 2003
Winners of Bali's
Top Tourism Award Named
J.M. Daniels of Bali
Discovery Tours and balidiscovery.com Among 12
Honored for Their Life-Long Contributions to Bali's
Tourism Development.
In a special ceremony hosted at the Residence
of Bali's Governor on Thursday, November 13, 2003,
twelve pioneers in tourism were honored by the
people of Bali for their contributions to Bali's
tourism development.
The inaugural presentation of the Karyakarana
Pariwisata Awards were given to the 12
tourism figures following their selection by a
blue-ribbon committee which considered 57 nominees
deemed to have advanced Balinese culture through
tourism. The finalists were honored at a special
Balinese dinner attended by tourism and government
leaders where they were presented with trophies,
certificates and copies of the official Government
decree bestowing the highest recognition in the
field of tourism development possible from the
Provincial Government.
The Recipients of the Karyakarana Pariwisata
Awards 2003
• John M. Daniels - A native
of Michigan in the U.S.A., Mr. Daniels is the
sole expatriate to win the award. The President
Director of Bali Discovery Tours and balidiscovery.com
has lived continuously in Indonesia since 1977,
holding senior management positions in the airline,
hotel, cruise, and travel industry. Active in
the community he has held senior positions in
a number of travel and social organizations, and
has received numerous awards for his work in tourism,
including the Adikarya Wisata award presented
by the President of the Republic in 1995.
• Anak Agung Gede Rai - The current
spokesman of the Bali Tourism Board, Mr. Rai recently
retired from a long and distinguished career in
senior tourism management including assignments
as the President Director of the Bali Tourism
Development Corporation and various senior positions
with the Hotel Indonesia Group, most notably as
General Manager of the Grand Bali Beach Hotel.
A much sought after speaker at international travel
conferences, he has received many honors for his
work in tourism including the Kalpataru Award
from President Habibie in 1999.
• Professor Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra
- Professor Mantra, who died in 1995, was the
much-loved former Director General of Culture
(1968-1978), Ambassador to India, and Governor
of Bali (1978-1988). Universally credited with
his pioneering of the concept of "culturally based
tourism," Professor Mantra played fundamental
roles in the establishment of the Nusa Dua Project
and the Bali Arts Festival.
• I Nyoman Oka - Also widely
known as Nang Lecir, Mr. Oka is credited
with establishing Bali's first tour and travel
company in 1956. In the 1960's he changed professions,
dedicating himself to work as a professional guide,
a role for which he became famous, setting the
standards for the many hundreds of guides now
similarly employed in Bali. He is a member of
the Bali Chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association
Hall of fame. Mr. Oka died in 1993.
• Ida Bagoes Kompyang - Widely
acknowledged as the founding father of tourism
accommodation in Sanur, Mr. Kompyang established
the Segara Village Hotel in 1956, a full ten years
prior to the opening of the Grand Bali Beach.
An expert in the field of tourism, he has served
as a Director of Nitour and the Hotel Indonesia
Group as well as serving on a number of international
tourism bodies and consultancies. In the difficult
days of the early 1960's, he organized a floating
Indonesian travel fair on board of a cruise ship,
calling on Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines.
• Bagus Soedana - Prior to his
death in 1992, Mr. Soedana was among the earliest
promoters of sea-tourism to Bali, organizing dive
tours and surveying dive sites around Bali and
adjoining islands. Mr. Soedana established a number
of family businesses, including Seruni Transport,
Nusa Dua Bali Tours and Travel, Puri Bagus Hotel
Group and Baruna Water Sports.
• Pande Wayan Suteja Neka - The
founder of the Neka Art Museum in Ubud, has single-handedly
accumulated a priceless collection of outstanding
Indonesian art for the education and enjoyment
of future generations. Initially a school teacher,
he was inspired by the great collections he saw
during a trip to Europe in the mid-1970's to begin
buying and bartering the Indonesian art that today
forms the collection at the Neka Museum. He has
received a number of national and international
awards for his contribution to art and tourism,
including the Adikarya Wisata Award.
• Ketut Pater Suarsha - Beginning
his career in 1957 as a guide working from the
Bali Hotel, Mr. Suarsha established a number of
travel companies and tourist attractions during
the course of his career, including the Sahadewa
Barong and Keris Dance Group in Batubulan
in 1970. The Chairman of the Bali Chapter of the
Association of Indonesian Travel Agents (ASITA)
from 1978-1980, Mr. Suarsha championed the "one-million
visitors" a year campaign, urging the government
to promote the eventual actual achievement of
that goal. He died in 2002.
• Professor Drs. Ida Bagus Adnyana Manuaba
- A professor at the Faculty of Medicine at Bali's
Udayana University, Professor Manuaba introduced
the concepts of environmental health and safety
in the work place to the people of Bali. In the
mid 1980's he is credited with helping to establish
a tourism degree program at the Udayana University,
personally developing the core curriculum in the
sub-sector of ecotourism. He is tireless
in his efforts on behalf of creating sustainable
development for Bali, a prolific contributor on
that subject to Indonesian publications and seminars.
He has received a long list of recognitions including
the Satya Lencana Emas 25 tahun and an
"Excellence Award" from PATA Bali Chapter.
• Anak Agung Pandji Tisna - Although
he died in 1978, Mr. Tisna is remembered as a
celebrated novelist as well as a pioneer of tourism
to North Bali. In 1953 while writing his series
of novels, he established a guest house 10 kilometers
west of Singaraja, naming the accommodation Lovina
- an abbreviation of Love Indonesia. That
name and Mr. Tisna's legacy as the father of tourism
to North Bali remains intact.
• Drs. I Wayan Geriya - A professor
in anthropology at Bali's Udayana University,
Drs. Geriya was among the group of intellectuals
who conceptualized "Cultural Tourism" for Bali
and lobbied for the first set of laws in passed
in 1974 to protect Bali's cultural values and
ensure the benefits of tourism accrues to all
the people of the Island. He is a recognized expert
for his many contributions in the field of research
concerned with tourism and culture.
• Inspector General Drs. Made Mangku Pastika
- Named TIME Magazine's Asian Newsmaker of the
Year 2003, General Pastika courageously headed
the international investigative team that has
successfully brought over 30 people charged with
involvement in the Bali terrorist bombing to trial.
Only pointed Chief of Police for Bali in April
of 2003, he has already managed to re-invigorate
the entire police force of Bali and establish
an unprecedented level of cooperation between
the police and the community in enhancing Bali's
security.
Boney M to Bali
Euro-Disco Group To Perform in Bali December 28, 2003.
As part of an Indonesian tour that includes Jakarta, Boney M is reported to be planning a one-night Bali appearance at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park on Sunday, December 28, 2003, according to reports carried in the English-language Jakarta Post.
During their recording career the group is credited with selling over 150 recordings – including 18 platinum and 15 gold albums, and more than 200 platinum and gold singles.
Most of Boney M's hit recordings
were sold in the 1970's, such as Baby Do You
Wanna Bump?, Daddy Cool, Take the Heat Off Me,
Sunny, Rivers of Babylon, Mary's Boy Child/Oh
My Lord, and Horray! Hooray! It's a Holi-day.
Boney M enjoyed a resurge in
record sales with dance number remixes of past
hits released in the 1990's.
Seeing is Believing Mega Familiarization Trip
200 Australian Agents Hosted for a 'Look See' in Bali.
 While bookings from Australia are still some 15-20% below peak visitor levels, many Australian wholesalers are reporting strong booking activity over the coming months. Australians, once the single largest group of foreign visitors to Bali, has slipped into third ranking, falling behind Japan and Taiwan, following the terrorist attack on a Bali night spot in October of 2002. Seeing is Believing Familiarization TripIn order to restart the strong flow of Australian visitors back to Bali, twelve Australian travel wholesalers and four airlines connecting Bali and Australia joined efforts to host a "Bali – Seeing is Believing!" mega-familiarization – a tour de force of Bali by 200 Australian travel agents and journalists. In all, some 12 separate itineraries were designed by the wholesalers using 35 different hotels, 430 different transfers, and visits to 50 different tours and attractions. The core itinerary was based on leaving Australia on November 2 and returning home on November 8. In order to accommodate varying airlines schedules and the needs of the agents, departures actually commenced from Australia on November 1 with the last arrival in Bali on November 5. The final departure from Bali was on November 10. On the evening of November 6, the 200 participants and their escorts, plus 100 representatives of tourism companies in Bali, came together for a cocktail reception at the Sheraton Nusa Indah - soon to be re-launched as the Westin Resort - followed by a gala dinner at the Nusantara Ballroom. Commenting on the event, Mr. Kerry Timms, Sales Manager for New South Wales and Australian Capital Territories for Garuda Indonesia, said: "Bali is the gateway through which Australians will discover the rest of Indonesia. First we need to restore numbers to Bali in 2004 and then work together later to open up the rest of Indonesia for Australians. Tourism is a great industry for spreading mutual understanding, adding to prosperity and ensuring peace for all into the future." Seen in the picture featured at balidiscovery.com is Minister for Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. I Gede Ardika, with Mr. Michel Cottray, General Manager of The Westin Resort Nusa Dua and friends.
Raddin Sanur to Close for 6 Months
Closure to Permit Extensive Renovations of 196-Room Sanur Beach Property.
Raddin Sanur Bali has announced that effective, January 5, 2004, the hotel will close for six months to permit extensive renovation of the property's lobby, guest rooms, swimming pools, restaurants and meeting facilities.
Once renovations are completed in June of 2004, the Hotel will re-open as the Mercure Resort Sanur. The 196-room Sanur property recently concluded a management contract with the Accor Group - the largest operator of hotels and resort properties in Indonesia.
APEC Tourism Working Group to Meet in Bali
Meeting November 28 – December 1, 2003, Will Seek to Increase Visitor Total to the Region and Enhance Regional Tourism Industry.
Bali will host the 23rd meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation – Tourism Working Group (APEC-TWG) scheduled for November 28 through December 1, 2003.
The Charter of the APEC-TWG is fourfold:
• The removal of impediments to tourism business and investment.
• Increase the demand for tourism goods and services by enhancing visitor mobility.
• Sustainable management of tourism outcomes and impacts.
• Enhance recognition and understanding of tourism as a vehicle for economic and social development.
Agenda for Bali Meeting
Among the issues expected to be discussed at the coming Bali meeting of the APEC-TWG are:
• The impact of SARS on tourism in the APEC region and means to rebuild confidence and avoid future outbreaks.
• A self-funded project led by the APEC International Centre for Sustainable Tourism (AICST) in cooperation with AusAid, Pacfic Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the World Tourism Organization (WTO) on how governments and tourism operators can best manage risk and respond to crises, whether of human or natural origin.
• A discussion on barriers to travel between APEC countries.
• The establishment of Tourism Occupational Skill standards.
The last meeting of APEC-TWG was held in Pattaya, Thailand June 11-12, 2003.
Carlaw Says Travel Warnings Hurting Bali Travel
Booking from Europe to Asia are Up, But Bali Bookings Held Back By U.K. Foreign Office Travel Warnings.
An article in Travel Trade Gazette's (TTG) November 23, 2003, edition underlined the deleterious effect U.K. Government travel warnings continue to have on Bali-bound tourism.
That article, reported substantial increases in Far East travel bookings from the United Kingdom, with Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives the main beneficiaries of the business upturn.
U.K. travel operator, Premier Holiday's Product Manager for Asia, Dubai and the Indian Ocean, Mr. David Carlaw, told TTG that while bookings have recently increased to the region, Bali continues to suffer from Foreign Office travel advice discouraging travel to the island. According to Mr. Carlaw, there was tremendous "pent up demand" for Bali that his company would serve as soon as the travel advisory is rescinded.
A Blessing for your Bonnet and Bumper
Bali Honors Tumpek Landep – A Day for Blessing Vehicles.
In the Balinese Calendar there are five days set aside for blessing those things that surround our temporal existence.
There is Tumpek Kandang, sometimes referred to a Tumpek Uve, a day for blessing all members of the animal kingdom, especially family pets and livestock. There's Tumpek Uduh - a day set aside for thanksgiving and blessings for the plant world that provides sustenance for our tables. Tumpek Wayang is dedicated to blessing puppets used in night-long shadow puppet performances; while Tumpek Kuningan is something of a day of general thanksgiving, appeasing any spirits who might feel left out or bypassed in the Tumpek cycle.
On Saturday, November 15, 2003, Bali marked Tumpek Landep, - the day on which all things made of metal are honored, especially cars and motorcycles. On that day, busses, cars, and motorcycles plied the streets bearing colorful floral and palm-leaf offerings attached to grills and rear-view mirrors in early morning rituals blessing of food, holy water and incense before being allowed to embark on their daily journeys.
On that day, the entire fleet of vehicles used to ferry the guests of Bali Discovery Tours and staff motorbikes, gathered at Villa Abian Tirta for their mandatory blessings of Tumpek Landep. Not to be forgotten, the Boss's bicycle used on his regular tours of the island.
Preserving the Art of Abdul Aziz
Mary Northmore, Widow of Bali-based Indonesian painter, Abdul Aziz, Seeking Contact with Collectors and Acquaintances of Late Husband.
The great Indonesian painter, Abdul Aziz, who died in his adopted home of Bali in January of 2002, left to the world some of the most striking images of Bali and its people. A man of many parts, he came to painting after completing a degree in political science, studying at Italy's Academia di Belle Art in Rome from 1960-1965. A true renaissance man, who in his later years developed a serious interest in hand crafting violins, Abdul Aziz's painting are prized parts of private and museum collections around the world. Pictured at balidiscovery.com accompanying this article is a photograph of his famous work "Mutual Attraction", from the permanent collection of the Neka Museum in Ubud. Remembering Abdul AzizHis wife, Mary Northmore, who is the Founder and Director of the Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women in Ubud, is compiling a book of her husband's paintings and personal recollections from friends and collections. To this end, she is actively seeking collectors of her husband's work prepared to allow their paintings to be photographed for inclusion in the book. She is also keen to include other people's reminiscences of meetings and discussions with Abdul Aziz. To learn more of this remarkable painter, view our obituary from January 2002 from our archives: [ Abdul Aziz: 1928-2002] To contact Mary Northmore and assist her in collecting materials for the coming memorial retrospective, follow the e-mail link provided.
Back to Bali in the Washington Post
Sunday November 9, 2003, Edition Depicts the Island of Bali One Year After the Terrorist Attack.
From Washington, D.C., a city more known for issuing negative travel advisories for Bali, comes a balanced look at Bali from journalist John Briley.
Briley recently spent a holiday exploring Bali, sharing his observations with the readers of the Washington Post.
Recommended reading.
Marriott to Build In Bali?
Reports Says 58 Villas to Open in mid 2005.
Reports in the English-language Jakarta Post state that Marriot Hotels International will open a 58-key sea-front villa development in Pecatu on the Jimbaran Peninsula, sometime in mid-2005.
The development will be a joint-venture called Bulgari Hotels and Resorts with ownership shared between Marriot International and P.T. Mugu Rekso Abadi (P.T. MRA) - the franchisee of the Bulgari brand in Indonesia.
This will be the second foray of the Bulgari brand, normally associated with fine jewelry and watches, into the luxury hotel and resort market. The first Bulgari hotel is scheduled to open in Milan, Italy in early 2004.
In 2002, Bulgari and Marriott declared their intent to establish a network of seven five-star Bulgari brand hotels over the coming 6 years.
United in Diversity
Important Bali Meetings to Seek Cooperation Between Business, Government and Civil Society December 7 & 8, 2003.
MIT Sloan School of Management, University of Indonesia, and the Jakarta-based Sinar Harapan Group will jointly sponsor an unprecedented meeting of leaders from the private and public sectors in Bali December 7-8, 2003, seeking to achieve sustainable advancement in Indonesia through improving the quality of life of the average Indonesian.
Seeking to re-establish trust among divergent sectors of Indonesian society, "United in Diversity" will create a series of educational sessions, workshops and research endeavors in order to revitalize the Indonesian economy and elevate its standing in the international community.
Star-Studded Line Up
The two days of meetings will include a welcome address by Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri; a keynote speech by Mr. James D. Wolfensohn of the World Bank; an address by former Minister of Finance for Indonesia, Mr. Frans Seda; a taped broadcast prepared especially for the gathering from Mr. Nelson Mandela and Mr. David Rockefeller; and a memorable "Artists For A Night" gathering at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park on Sunday, December 7, 2003.
Artists for a Night
An impressive group of international media and entertainment personalities are expected to be on hand for the event to be held atop the Bukit Peninsula, affording views of the oceans to either side of Bali. Over 200 participants will partake in an evening of art ritual.
Choreographed by internationally renowned Balinese artists, Mr. Made Wianta, each participant will be asked to inscribe a poem, phrase or drawing providing their interpretation of "United in Diversity" for eventual permanent transcription onto a stone surface. The evening will also feature joint prayers and meditation, a dinner, and an address by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
In a special musical presentation, World Bank President Mr. James D. Wolfensohn will perform on a cello backed by a full Balinese Gamelan orchestra.
Conference sessions and workshops will be centered at the Bali International Convention Center.
You, Too, Can Talk To a Toucan
Feathered Fun Festival at Bali Bird Park November 22-30, 2003.
 Just in time to coincide with the Idul Fitri Holidays, the Bali Bird Park in Singapadu, just north of Denpasar, is hosting a "Feathered Fun Festival" November 22-30, 2003 at the popular nature park. Designed to be both fun and educational, the Bali Bird Park has designed a number of interactive activities, guaranteed to be as much fun for moms and dads as they are for the kids: • Opportunities to feed the parks Pelicans and Drongos. • Game sheets for each of the Park's ten icons with possible prizes for children correctly responding to simple questions regarding the parks "unofficial hosts," namely the Macaw, Bali Starling, Bird of Paradise, Komodo dragons, Cassowary, Toucans, Owl, Pelican, Hornbill and Flamingos. • A chance to meet friends of Harry Potter's pet owl "Hedwig."• Special baby-sitter service and rest areas for children visiting the Park with their families. • A chance to get up close and personal with some of the 1,500 birds from over 250 species found at the park with handlers standing by to share details and insights regarding the birds natural habitat and behavior. • Lucky-draws each day of the Festival with prizes provided by Air Paradise International, McDonald's, Waterbom Park, Sobek, and a number of other Bali holiday attractions. According to Chris Hibbard, Chief Curator of the Bali Bird Park, "with over 17% of the world's species and 47 ecosystems found here in the archipelago, the 'Feathered Fun Week' is hoped to introduce an educational perspective within the animal world ... Fun in learning makes it all the more enjoyable. This is an excellent opportunity for all the family to appreciate and get practically involved in understanding the many creatures." Admission fees to the Bali Bird Park during this special event remain unchanged.
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