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Krisis Global Hantam Bali

Posted by Lambang Insiwarifianto Friday, November 21, 2008 0 komentar

KUTA, JUMAT - Kunjungan wisatawan dari 10 negara pasar utama pariwisata Bali ke Pulau Dewata anjlok akibat krisis global. Hal itu terlihat dari pembatalan pemesanan kamar hotel sejak sebulan terakhir hingga masa pergantian tahun ini yang mencapai 40 persen. Pemerintah daerah dan kalangan pelaku pariwisata setempat khawatir, kondisi kepariwisataan di pulau itu sepanjang tahun 2009 akan suram.

Kepala Dinas Pariwisata Bali I Gede Nurjaya dalam pembukaan pameran pariwisata Pulau Kalimantan Borneo Extravaganza 2008 di Kuta, Badung, Bali, Jumat (21/11) mengungkapkan, 10 negara itu adalah Jepang, Australia, Taiwan, Korea Selatan, China, Malaysia, Inggris, Prancis, Amerika Serikat, dan Italia. Selama ini, kedatangan wisatawan negara-negara itu memberi kontribusi lebih dari 30 persen dari seluruh wisatawan mancanegara ke Bali. Total asal negara yang datang ke Bali tercatat 184 negara.

Kondisi ini mencemaskan, karena Bali pernah mengalami dampak buruk akibat anjloknya wisatawan pascapeledakan bom tahun 2002 dan 2005. "Krisis global telah terlihat dampaknya secara langsung termasuk di Bali, seperti halnya imbas yang terjadi di sejumlah negara maupun daerah lain di Indonesia, khususnya di sektor lain," kata Nurjaya.

Nurjaya mengungkapkan, jumlah kunjungan wisatawan mancanegara (wisman) hingga Oktober lalu sudah mencapai 1,6 juta orang atau naik sekitar 23 persen dibanding periode yang sama tahun sebelumnya. Namun akibat dampak krisis global, dikhawatirkan pertumbuhannya akan makin turun dan target mendatangkan 1,9 wisman sulit tercapai . Apalagi dalam bulan-bulan ini sedang masa sepi wisatawan.

Jakarta Post


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Tourism future bright despite travel warning: Minister

Posted by Lambang Insiwarifianto Monday, November 17, 2008 0 komentar

The Minister of Tourism and Culture Jero Wacik expressed optimism Thursday that the future of Indonesia's tourism remained bright despite a number of countries issuing travel warnings following the recent execution of three terrorists.

"Tourism conditions in Indonesia remain stable, particularly in Bali," he said.

Several countries, including Australia -- one of the largest contributors to tourist numbers -- has warned its citizens against traveling to Indonesia following the execution of Amrozy, Ali Ghufron and Imam Samudra.

The three were convicted terrorists responsible for the 2002 bombings of two popular night spots in Kuta. The blasts killed 202 people, mainly foreigners, and injured hundreds of others.

Jero said there were fears the executions would destabilize the country's security, but counterterrorism forces had managed to maintain stability.

Jero said he was confident that the travel warnings would not significantly affect the flow of foreign travelers into Indonesia, and denied they had triggered cancellations and a reduction in visitor numbers.

"Please check those facts. From which countries did these cancellations occur? Based on the report I received, everything is still going well," he said.

A small decline in tourist numbers over a one or two day period was normal, he said, but those instances should not be used to measure the overall conditions.

Citing official data, Jero said the number of foreigners visiting Bali was still around 6,000 tourists per day, exceeding the average of 4,500 visitors.

"This year the average soared to 6,000 and even 6,400 tourists per day. These are very good numbers," he said. Jero said this proved Bali was still a very attractive destination for holiday-makers.

From January to August 2008, 1,298,046 foreign and domestic tourists visited Bali, a monthly increase of around 10% compared to the same period last year.

"We think the numbers will remain at a high level, or even increase," Jero said.

Indonesia's receives the most tourists from Japan, Australia, Russia and Malaysia.

Source : Jakartapost


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Bounty Hotel Bali Reviews

Posted by Lambang Insiwarifianto Wednesday, November 12, 2008 0 komentar
The Bounty lives up to its expectations and comments from various travel sites. Yes it does have a 24 hour pool bar and 24 hour DJ. You can sleep as well, the noise stays pretty central to the main pool, they shut the second one after some point at night.

The hotel is in between the main street on the beachfront and Legian Road, about a 10 minute walk in either direction to get to them. The place is surprisingly big for its location, has two pools with swim up bar and loads of lounge chairs, 5 internet terminals (20k for 20 mins), a restaurant I never saw anyone in and is laid out with 3 levels of rooms surrounding the pools. I had the top level so there wasn't much noise from people walking by as you'd get on level 1.

I was the only non-Aussie in the entire place, which had I'd guess 150 guests at the time. Most people were travelling in groups of 10-15 it seemed, but you could meet people easy enough. There is also a tour desk where you can jump in on booked tours if there is room so check that out.

I couldn't get one of the cheap rooms so I had a supreme room which was massive, far more than necessary and amounted to close to $50/night. You can get smaller rooms which I'm sure are just as good for less.

If you want to be right near the beach and are looking for more relaxation than non stop party this might not be the best spot for you. Some people never left the pool bar, I mixed it up with the beach and the clubs/pubs on Legian Road and enjoyed my time.

The 24 hour room service comes in handy with pretty good food for cheap when you make it back from the clubs.

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The Indonesian Travel Market - TIME 2008 in Makassar successfully concluded

Posted by Lambang Insiwarifianto Tuesday, November 11, 2008 0 komentar

MAKASSAR - The Indonesian annual travel mart, Tourism Indonesia Mart&Expo (TIME) or 'Pasar Wisata Indonesia' is concluded today with total attendance of 104 buyers from 21 countries. The top five buyers consisted of Malaysia, Korea, India and Indonesia, Singapore, and the Netherlands. TIME 2008 also attracted 108 sellers from 16 provinces of Indonesia, which mostly come from Jakarta, South Sulawesi, Bali, North Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, Yogyakarta and East Kalimantan, and Papua.

The percentage of sellers based on industry is hotel, resort and spa (75 percent), NTO (10 percent), tour operator/travel agent (7 percent), adventure/activity holiday (3 percent), airline (1.5 percent), and others (hotel management, tourism board, tourism organization and travel portal (8.5 percent).

The above was reported during the closing press conference of TIME 2008 by the organizing committee of TIME 2008. "Despite the current global financial crisis and EU ban to Indonesian airlines, TIME 2008 has booked an estimated transaction of US$15.2 million," said Meity Robot, chairperson of TIME 2008.

"The conduct of TIME 2008 in Makassar has proven successful as a result of good cooperation among the organizing committee and organizer of TIME 2008 together with the local committee, which comprises the provincial government of South Sulawesi, City of Makassar, and the entire tourism industry, as well as associations in South Sulawesi and Makassar," said Meity.

"We have heard some positive comments and constructive notes have been expressed by delegates of TIME 2008 saying that Makassar has grown significantly since the last TIME 2006 and has shown tremendous progress in featuring the city as a travel and MICE destination, with its newest international airport and convention center, as well as development of new hotels and tourism attractions," said Meity.

Buyers and international travel writers are given the opportunity to take part in the post-tour program to Toraja for 3 days and 2 nights.

The organizing committee of TIME has decided that next year's TIME will be held in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. At press time by West Nusa Tenggara yesterday, the provincial government of West Nusa Tenggara represented by the vice chairman of DPRD West Nusa Tenggara, in association with the Lombok and Sumbawa tourism board, stated that with full support from the provincial government of West Nusa Tenggara, together with the entire tourism industry and association, they are ready to host TIME 2009 and 2010 and will assure that the venue, as well as infrastructure, will be ready in time so that TIME in Lombok will be successful.

Lombok is only a 20-minute flight from Bali. The island possesses various tourism potentials, from nature (mountain, sea, and land) to culture and arts, which could attract an international market. Presently, Lombok has 3,000 hotel rooms with international standards. With the present development of hotels in Lombok, by 2009 Lombok will have around 3,500 hotel rooms.

In terms of accessibility, Lombok is flown from Singapore by Silk Air; from Malaysia by Merpati Nusantara; from Jakarta by Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Batavia Air; from Surabaya by Merpati Nusantara, Lion Air, Batavia Air, and Citylink; and from Bali by Merpati Nusantara, Trigana Air, and Indonesia Air Transport. Beginning December 2008, the island will have a direct flight from Perth, Australia. Moreover, Lombok is now developing its international airport.

"The shifting of TIME to Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara will be for two consecutive years - 2009 and 2010 - and is aimed at promoting Lombok and West Nusa Tenggara to the international market, as well as to foster the development of tourism facilities and improvement of infrastructure in the region so that at the end, the destination could enjoy itself as a global travel destination," Meity Robot concluded.

Last year, TIME 2006 in Makassar was attended by 110 buyers from 21 countries and 124 sellers from 20 provinces with a recorded transaction value of USD$15 million, whereas previously TIME 2005 in Yogyakarta was attended by 84 buyers from 23 countries and 128 sellers from 20 provinces with a transaction value of USD$13 million.

TIME 2008 is supported by the ministry of culture and tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, South Sulawesi provincial government, the city of Makassar, the South Sulawesi culture and tourism office, the Makassar culture and tourism office, Garuda Indonesia as the official carrier, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, INACA (Indonesia National Air Carriers Association), BARINDO (Board of Airline Representatives Indonesia), the embassies of Indonesia overseas, ASITA (Indonesian tour operators and travel agencies) South Sulawesi, PHRI (Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association) South Sulawesi and Makassar, the Indonesian Conference and Convention Association (INCCA), Pacto Convex as the event organizer, Indo Multi Media as the offical media partner, TTG Asia and Venue Magazine as supporting media partners, and Bulanmadu.com.

Tiara P.I. Hasibuan Project Leader Pacto Convex Ltd. Tel: (62-21) 570 5800 Ext. 214 Fax: (62-21) 570 5798 Email: tiara_hsb@cbn.net.id Website: www.pasarwisata.com


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Indonesia-bound tourists ignore warnings

Posted by Lambang Insiwarifianto Monday, November 10, 2008 0 komentar
PEOPLE flying to Bali yesterday said they would not let the possibility of revenge attacks stop them from holidaying on the island.

Despite the Federal Government advising people bound for Bali to reconsider their travel plans, passengers waiting to check in at Melbourne Airport for the 10.55am Garuda Airlines flight to Denpasar, Bali's capital, were philosophical about the possible dangers.

"It made us quite anxious, but we're not going to let the bastards beat us," said Dot McGuiness, who was travelling with her husband, Barry, to a "gated resort". "The wills are up to date, though."

Other travellers noted that although the Government had asked people to reconsider going to Bali, it had not raised its travel advisory to the next, and highest, level.

"If the Government was really concerned, they would have upgraded the warning," said Pat Barber, who is staying with three friends near Kuta, the site of the 2002 bombings.

"Look at other countries; I think the USA has actually downgraded its warning."

The Federal Government said yesterday it had "credible information" terrorists could be planning attacks as revenge for the executions.

"The executions could prompt a strong reaction from their supporters such as demonstrations, acts of violence and reprisal attacks," a travel advisory said.

"You should exercise great care, particularly around locations that have a low level of protective security, including where Western tourists gather such as beaches, bars, malls and other venues associated with foreign interests."

The Government referred specifically to young people holidaying in Bali for "schoolies" holidays in the next few weeks, advising them to "exercise heightened caution".

The threat level remains the second highest of five, with the Government asking people to "reconsider your need to travel". The highest level is "do not travel".

A spokesman for Garuda Airlines, Kerry Timms, said the prospect of the bombers' executions had not dampened people's willingness to travel to Bali.
"(The execution) has been on the cards for some time, but there have been hardly any cancellations," he said.
"Most people have already made a decision about the environment. Our loads outward bound have been really strong."
Friends Sarah O'Connell and Vanessa Smith said they discussed cancelling their trip about two weeks ago, but decided they would take the risk.
"Anything can happen wherever you go," Ms O'Connell said. "It could happen to you at Flinders Street station."
"If it really was a big deal, the Government would have raised the travel warning."
Surfer Daniel Shergold described his attitude to the possibility of a terrorist attack as "when your time's up, your time's up".
Mr Shergold said he would be passing through Bali on his way to the nearby mainly Muslim island of Lombok.
"I'd be more worried about someone there attacking me in the street with a machete than I would be about bombings," he said.
"But I really don't think at this stage that anything's going to happen."

Australian travel advisory aletts
 1. Be alert to your own security
2. Exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety
3. Exercise a high degree of caution
4. Reconsider your need to travel - Indonesia, including Bali, is at this level
5. Advised not to travel

http://smartraveller.gov.au
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/11/10/1226165429240.html

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