Valentine's Day marked the celebration of Air Paradise International's (API) first birthday with a gala cocktail reception attended by hundreds of travel industry colleagues at Bali's Gado-Gado Restaurant on Seminyak Beach. Decision makers from top wholesalers in Australia and travel agents from across the region enjoyed fine wine and canapés while being entertained by cabaret dancers and a live band.

The Airline's founder and guiding light, Mr. I Made 'Kadek' Wiranatha, was on hand, both in person and on large screen during a multi-media presentation, retelling the dramatic story of Bali's only international airline.

Pak Kadek, a man deeply committed to his island was remained undeterred in his plans to launch API - just 4 months after the tragic bombing of October 12, 2002 that claimed more than 200 lives. Determined to see his new venture get off the ground – both literally and figuratively – he has defied naysayers and managed to grow from a single destination service to an airline that now flies to Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Taipei, Seoul and, starting in March 2004, Adelaide. Using quality aircraft leased and maintained by a subsidiary company of Singapore Airlines, API's endemic Balinese charm has earned the Airline friends and a loyal passenger followings in each of the markets it serves.

As one partygoer from the travel industry observed at Saturday's birthday party, as Air Paradise Goes, So Goes Bali. And, of that is the case, both Bali and API are pushing forward to a bright future.

Happy Birthday Air Paradise International - Panjang Umur!

According to Indonesia's Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the visa fee being collected from the citizens of 21 countries and territories upon arrival in Indonesia will not cause tourism arrival numbers to nose-dive.

In place since February 1, 2004, the new policy requires many visitors who formerly received a 60 day visit pass without charge to now pay a US$ 25 fee for a 30 day non-extendable visa or US$ 10 for a 3 day visa. Those not on the list of 21 countries and territories who can purchase their visa on arrival or not citizens of the 11 countries and territories given 30 days visas without charge, must apply for and obtain a visa before entering the country under the new policy.

Defending the visa fee as necessary to pay the cost of a modernized immigration system for Indonesia, he told an Agence France correspondent: "We take care of people from Afghanistan and Iraq. Is it just to collect taxes from poor people to pay for refugees and illegal migrants here?"

The Minister insisted that the new visa system is working smoothly and tourist flows remain at normal levels.

Repeating a favorite theme of reciprocity in bi-lateral visa policies, Minister Mahendra said :"There's no objection from foreigners coming here if they should pay US$ 25 for visa on arrival. To get a visa to Australia or the United States we should pay Rp 450,000 (US$ 54). If they refuse (to grant visas) we don't get our money back."

More information: Related Story: Short Guide to Visas for Indonesia

In the February 13, 2004 edition of the Indonesian-language Bali Post, the outgoing Chief of the Bali Tourism Authority, Dr. I Gede Pitana, offered his comments on the paper's editorial page regarding Indonesia's new visa policy and its impact on Bali's image as a tourism destination.

While acknowledging the right and responsibility of every country to protect its borders and sovereignty, Dr. Pitana contended that the new visa policy and how it is being administered will have far-reaching implications for the island's economy and its competitiveness as a world tourism destination.

According to the Professor of Tourism at Bali's Udayana University, the rapid growth of Indonesia's tourism sector, now the largest contributor of foreign exchange to the National economy after the Petroleum, can be traced to the liberalization of the visa policy in 1983. In that year, the nationals of some 48 countries were essentially granted free 60 day stays in Indonesia upon arrival at any main international gateway. In citing proof of the effectiveness of this policy in stimulating national tourism, Dr. Pitana pointed to a total tourist inflow of 170,505 in 1983 that had grown to nearly 5 million visitors in 2003. That's an annual growth rate of approximately 27%.

Strange Timing

In the wake of the WTC tragedy and Bali bombing, Dr. Pitana underlined the shock and amazement in tourism circles when President Megawati issued the new visa policy in March of 2003. Saying that the policy served to make Indonesia uncompetitive in its efforts to attract tourists, he questioned the timing and the direction of the new policy at a time when other countries were racing to create additional incentives for tourism.

Security Basis

In response to those who said the new policy was a necessary response to improve national security, Dr. Pitana felt such arguments were strangely at odds with the fact that those arrested by Indonesian police in connection with various terrorist incidents were overwhelmingly Indonesian citizens, a goup that is unaffected by any change in the national visa policy.

Economic Benefits

Continuing his examination of the new policy, Dr. Pitana also questioned the thinking of officials who put forward economic necessity as a defense for the new policy. Citing research carried out by the Casa Grande Bali (Bali Hotel Association) and several leading Balinese economists, he underlined the possibility that tourism numbers will plummet and that both backward and forward linkages to the tourism economy will be adversely affected. Clearly, vast sub-sectors of Bali's economy are strongly linked to tourism and, according to Dr. Pitana, any revenues collected in visa fees will be insignificant in comparison to the cost of lost tourist spending to local economies.

The Quest for Quality Tourists

The former head of Bali's tourism industry also questioned those who felt the new policy would prove effective in luring quality tourists to Bali. Asking what constitutes a quality tourist, he suggested the new visa fee would likely prove a disincentive to families visiting Bali and the large backpacker market.

Reciprocity

Dr. Pitana also suggested that current arguments demanding reciprocity in formulating national visa policies were much too narrowly focused. He pointed out that while Indonesia desperately needs tourist visitors from countries such as Japan, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and other developed countries, he doubted if those same countries' economies felt an equally urgent need for Indonesian visitors. He went on to argue that greater weight should be given by national policymakers to the needs of the Indonesian people than to the less compelling arguments of personal pride based on narrow issues of reciprocity.

Overly Strict Enforcement?

Admitting that the initial introduction of the new visa policy has been remarkably smooth, he questioned the overly strict interpretation of the rules that in the first 8 days of the new policy caused 61 foreign nationals to be refused entry to Bali.

Those individuals, not on the list of 32 countries and territories eligible for a visa-free stay or a purchased visa on arrival, were turned away by immigration officials at Bali's airport. Sympathizing with the certain disappointment of the 61 people travelers who were obviously neither criminals or willful violators of immigratuion rules, Dr. Pitana said such actions by immigration officials would have a strong negative impact on tourism's image and suggested that some flexibility should be extended during the first six months of the new policy's introduction.

More information: Related Story: Short Guide to Visas for Indonesia

Mr. Kent Netherly of Louis Allen Associates, internationally renowned consultant in human resources development, management, teaching, and training, will lead a two-day management workshop at the Executive Center for Global Leadership (ECGL) campus adjacent to the Bali Handara Mountain Resort in the Island's mountain-lake district on February 23-24, 2004.

Kent Netherly

Much sought after as a consultant to top management, Mr. Netherly is on the adjunct faculty at the American University (Washington D.C.), Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business (Malibu, CA) and NTL Institute (Alexandria, VA) where he conducts the Leadership Excellence Program.

With more than 20 years of experience in consulting, human resources development, management, teaching, and training, he brings to each workshop he leads a superior set of skills and proven capabilities in the area of executive coaching, performance management, management continuity & succession planning, leadership assessment & development, change management, and team development.

His projects under contract to major corporations have included organization restructuring, increasing individual and corporate self-awareness and communications for better decision-making and resolving conflict within management teams. He has a thriving executive coaching practice that helps managers focus on performance limitations, turning liabilities into assets.

Analytical Trouble Shooting

Mr. Netherly's Bali workshop will help executives:

• Sharpen their casual analysis, decision-making, problem prevention and pre-planning skills that lead to increased organizational productivity.

• Develop sound questioning skills that permit them to uncover and analyze information – even technically complex data essential to problem solving and decision-making.

• Obtain the knowledge necessary to evaluate recommendations objectively and provide clear feedback to employees on how their recommendations might be improved.

• Develop a sound method for setting priorities in an uncertain environment.

• Establish a method for building teamwork among employees from different departments, as well as, between managers and direct reports in the same department.

Workshop Venue

The program will be held at the ECGL Campus at the Bali Handara Mountain Resort, home to a Peter Thompson designed golf course. 66 kilometers north of Denpasar's Airport and the beaches of Nusa Dua, Kuta and Sanur - the Campus is located amid the lush highlands at an altitude of 1,142 meters and is nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano that enjoys year round average daily temperatures of 16-20 degrees Celsius.

Workshop Fee

US$ 1,200 per person all inclusive, including all program materials, meals and hotel accommodation.

More information: E-mail Contact for More Information and Bookings

On Friday, February 6, 2004, the Honorary Consul to Bali and Nusa Tenggara Barat, Mr. Reinhold Jantzen was presented with the "Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse" or "Commander's Cross of Merit, First Class" from a grateful Government for long and outstanding service to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Mr. Jantzen has lived in Bali for 27 years, serving as Honorary Consul for Germany for the past 18 years, the last 9 of which included the expanded role of representing Germany for all of West Nusa Tenggara. During his period of service, Mr. Reinhard Jantzen has seen the consulate office located on Bali's Sanur beach grow, both in size and the number of German tourists it serves. On round-the-clock call, Berlin's Man in Bali provides the entire gamut of consular activities, ranging from the mundane assistance to people who have lost their passports, to the dramatic aftermath of the Bali bombing, to VIP visits by the German Head of State. His wise counsel to travelers and his Government and a growing capacity to handle the many tasks presented to his office, no matter how complex, were among the reasons cited in the ceremony recognizing Mr. Jantzen's distinguished service.

The medal, presented at an exclusive luncheon at The Westin, Nusa Dua was presided over by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Indonesia, Dr. Fulda, together with the Head of the Consular and Legal Division. The medal, the highest honor of its class, was bestowed in front of Mr. Jantzen's proud family, colleagues and friends from Balì's diplomatic corps, and ranking officials in the local government.

This is the second such honor presented to Mr. Jantzen in connection with his diplomatic service in Bali. He was also the recipient of a Cross of Merit Award presented to him in 1996.

Mr. Jantzen is married to Endang Suciati, who together are the proud parents of two sons, Michael and Robert, and a daughter, Nicole.

In addition to his role as the Honorary Consul for Germany, Mr. Jantzen runs a successful meat processing operation on the island.

More information: Send Reinhold Jantzen a Congratulatory E-Mail!

Bali's landmark dining spot La Lucciola Restaurant on Kerobokan Beach has marked its 10^th year of successful operations with the opening of a private dining area - The Firefly Room.

On Friday, Ferbuary 13, 2004, The Bali MICE Initiative in cooperation with La Lucciola Restaurant hosted an evening cocktail reception to introduce this new dining outlet – available exclusively to private groups – to the Bali meeting and conference industry.

Introducing the Firefly Room

A clubby, lavishly appointed dining venue, the Firefly Room draws its name from the English translation of the Restaurant's name with an ambience inspired by the life of the firefly. Perched atop the trendy open bar with a ceiling bejeweled by small ferry-lights, the Firefly Room is the epitome of style. Spectacular views from every angle and fine table settings make it an ideal setting for tropical brunch meetings, board lunches, cocktail parties and elegant dinner gatherings.

Small groups of up to 40 diners booking the Firefly Room can start the evening with sunset cocktails and canapé served under the Restaurant's palm fringed beach before adjourning to the air conditioned privacy of the Firefly Room where service is provided by carefully trained servers in elegant white coats.

Designed to offer a memorable dining experience, no details have been overlooked. Specially tailored menus, fine white linen tablecloths, fine china, French crystal, exotic tropical flower arrangements and impeccable service – all are part of the Firefly experience.

Bali's newest luxury resort is celebrating its early March 2004 opening by offering a rate of only US$ 94.00 per night for a Deluxe Ocean Room. This rate, representing a discount of 76% from the normal tariff, inclusive of 21% tax and service, is for room only and is valid only until June 30, 2004.

The Conrad Bali Resort & Spa is situated on the southern coast of the island of Bali, only a short drive from Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport and adjacent to the Nusa Dua Resort Complex. It occupies 6.8 hectares of land encompassing tropical gardens with lagoons and cascading waterfalls stretched along a 300 meter beach front.

Built with an "E" share floor plan which allow every room an ocean view, guestrooms have an impressive glass wall bathroom with free standing bathtub, a separate shower cabin and the exclusive deluxe Conrad Bali bathroom amenities. For the comfort of guests, the beds and accessories are of the highest standards obtainable and an extensive selection of 'pillow menus,' are also available. Rooms are wired with the latest communications technology, there is broadband access and wireless internet in all areas of the hotel - including at the swimming pool.

A vast range of leisure options include a 33-metre swimming pool, a jogging track with landscaped gardens, floodlit tennis courts, Jiwa Spa, and a fitness centre with the latest equipment. There are even special facilities for children such as the Kura-Kura club providing supervised activities for the kids.

More information: Book Conrad Bali's Special Opening Rate

Bali International Medical Center (BIMC) has launched a special section on their bimcbali.com website that provides all the latest information on Avian Influenza or Bird Flu.

The site, supervised by BIMC's Dr. Charles Hoo, M.D, Head of Medical Education and Technology for the Center, contains the latest information on the spread of the disease, strategies for prevention, and practical advice on risks to the traveling public of contracting Bird Flu.

Bali International Medical Center (BIMC) was officially opened in 1998 and was established to provide primary health care service for tourists, travelers and expatriates living in Bali.

More information: BIMC Bird Flu Information Center

Following the suspension by Management of four staff for misappropriation of company assets, a large number of Bali Hai Cruises island beach resort staff called a wildcat strike on Tuesday, February 10, 2004, disrupting the Company's beach resort cruise and accommodation programs at Nusa Lembongan Island. Because the strike is limited to the Company's island staff, operations of Bali Hai's Reef cruises to an off-shore pontoon, their Ocean Rafting Dolphin Cruises and Evening Dinner Cruises continue to operate without interruption.

According to the Company's Management and Local Labor Department Officials quoted in the Indonesian-language Bali Post, the strike is illegal, failing to conform to Government regulations that require 7 days prior notice to the Company and local labor officials before launching any industrial action.

Local press reports state that representatives from the Klungkung Regency Labor Office and Police are continuing to monitor the situation while meeting with the Company's management and representatives of the striking workers.

Back in 1996, a group of 3 men drinking beer on one of Bali's beaches were brainstorming on how best to challenge talented young chefs to improve their culinary skills. The 3 wise men – comprised of a representative of the Australian meat industry, a supplier of gourmet ingredients to Bali's hotels, and a chef - eventually devised the now time-proven and highly successful Black Box Culinary Challenge.

Now having completed its sixth running, the Challenge brings together groups of eager young chefs – all under the age of 30 – who are given a mystery box containing sufficient quantities of Australian meats, dairy product and fresh produce to prepare a 3 course meal for 16 diners. The teams, under the watchful eye of their team captain, then have only one hour to devise a menu plan followed by 24 hours of intense work before they reconvene for the final cook-off.

A critical jury comprised of 5 local food experts judge the competing teams on the basis of composition, creativity, correct preparation, service practicality, taste, proper utilization of ingredients, presentation and consistency. Each cooking team is backed up by a service team whose task it is to wow 16 fortunate gourmands with their service and table presentation skills.

MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge 2004

Sponsored by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), this year's competition saw 9 hotels compete for honors.

Winning the top honors and the right to compete in the national Black Box cook-off in Jakarta was the cooking team of The Patra Resort and Spa. Named as the 1^st runner up was the kitchen team from the Ritz Carlton Bali Resort and Spa followed by Sheraton Laguna Resort in the 2^nd runner up post.

The Winning Menu

The Patra Resort team, managed by Mr. Timotius Hari Sunarto and comprised of Mr. I Wayan Mudita (Chef de Partie); Ms. Ida Ayu Pratiwisari (Demi Chef); Ms. Komang Sri Utari (Cook), prepared the following winning menu for a sumptuous luncheon served at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) on Thursday, February 5, 2004:



Patra Bali Resort & Villas

MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge 2004 Menu



Smoked Salmon and Opaka-Opaka Fillet

Served with Yellow Cherry Tomatoes, Green and Red Capsicum, Drizzled with Ginger, Honey and Lemon Grass Dressing

Roasted Lamb Shoulder Rack

Served with Sautéed Portabella Mushrooms, Palm Heart, and Gratinated Potato, Enhanced with Thyme Jus

Pistachio Cream Cheese Cake and Fruit Compote

Served with Strawberry Vanilla Sauce

The February 10, 2004 edition of The Australian, writes that a Melbourne, Australia based child-advocacy group, Child Wise, has released a report claiming pedophile rings are operating on the Island offering sex tours that prey on under-aged children.

The report, which has been handed over to Australia's Justice Minister Mr. Chris Ellison, the Australian Federal Police, and the Indonesian authorities warned of a "flourishing child sex trade" in Bali with the involvement of Australians, European and American expatriates.

The report was based on various information, including the findings of a researcher sent to Bali last year by Child Wise. As reported by The Australian, pedophiles gain access to Balinese children by visiting remote, economically depressed areas of the Island, sometimes working as volunteers with local welfare organizations.

A former Australian diplomat, William Stuart Brown, was arrested in January in east Bali following complaints that he had sexually molested several local underaged boys. He is currently under arrest awaiting trial on those charges.

More information: Related Story: Putting an End to the Child Sex Tra

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