Bali Tourism News

Shortage of flights threaten Bali tourism

By Diana Plater

But the Balinese tourism industry says it’s not just the recent bird flu deaths that are the biggest hurdle to full recovery.

Hoteliers and tourists say the main problem is the lack of seat availability on flights, particularly between Bali and the east coast of Australia.
Qantas stepping aside for Jetstar

It appears that Qantas is gradually bowing out of the holiday destination and allowing its budget arm Jetstar to take over routes.

Qantas flies twice a week to Bali from Perth and Darwin, but it is understood the airline plans to drop its Darwin flights from October.

However it has added a flight to the Perth-Denpasar route between August 5 and October 21.

A spokeswoman said there were no plans at this stage to expand services from any other cities.

“Qantas will continue to monitor the route and make changes as demand increases,” she said.

Meanwhile, Jetstar to double services

Jetstar, which launched services to Bali in early December last year, has already announced it will double its direct services between Sydney and Bali to four times weekly from October 28. This is in addition to twice weekly flights from Melbourne to Bali.

It says this is in response to the bounce back in Australian “traveller demand and the ongoing recovery of the island’s tourism industry”.

It will mean six Jetstar flights a week between the Australian east coast and Bali. It doesn’t yet fly from Perth.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce says the carrier’s additional Bali flights were a direct response to the island’s existing performance as one of Jetstar’s strongest international markets.

Garuda trims number of flights

Garuda Indonesia cut its Adelaide services to Bali last November followed by Brisbane in January this year.

A spokeswoman says the cut was part of a global rationalisation of routes which “required the deployment of available aircraft according to route profitability”.

“There is no doubt that the Australian market to Bali is returning with a vengeance and we will continue to monitor this and, subject to available aircraft, would certainly not discount a return to either of these routes in the future,” she says.

The airline is operating 20 flights a week direct to Bali from Australia (five ex Sydney, three ex Melbourne, two ex Darwin and 10 ex Perth) in addition to four direct flights a week from Perth to Jakarta, with connections to Bali.

Rise in number of delayed flights

Customers have also noted a rise in the number of delays and postponements with flights.

“As for the delays and postponements, occasionally flights must be delayed due to operational or technical reasons,” she says. “This happens with all airlines and is nothing out of the ordinary. The safety of our passengers will always be our highest priority.”

The Indonesian national carrier reported a profit of around $A19 million in the half year to June, which includes the low season and is usually its weaker half.

It says consolidation measures recently undertaken have improved revenue, passenger volumes, load factor and yield.

Garuda Indonesia’s Regional Manager, Southwest Pacific Suranto Yitnopawiro says Garuda Indonesia’s traffic from Australia to Bali has more than doubled that of the first half of 2006, reflecting an increasingly strong surge in the overall numbers of Australians visiting Bali for holidays.

Bali now fourth most popular destination

Bali is now Australia’s fourth most popular holiday destination, behind New Zealand, Thailand and the USA. Its share of the total Australian holiday market has grown by 44.5 per cent over the most recent half year, he says.

Garuda says the 85,860 Australians visiting Bali during the first half of this year was around 30,000 more than for the same time last year. Western Australia remains Bali’s biggest Australian market, followed by NSW and Victoria.

Meanwhile, collapsed Bali airline Air Paradise is often reported to be looking at a comeback, depending on finance, while Singapore-based low-budget carrier Tiger Airways has also hinted at possible flights between Bali and Australia.

The Little Bali Hotel and Resort Company co-founder Brett Morgan says although Australian numbers have improved they are still a long way from where they should be.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/

Add comment August 28th, 2007

Feasting on Bali, the Isle of The Gods

Like the food of other regions in Indonesia, Balinese food is rice as the central dish served with small portions of spicy, pungent vegetables, fish or meat and served almost always with sambal or chili paste. Bali is a few of the regions in Indonesia whose majority of its people are non Muslims, thus babi guling or roasted suckling pig is a specialty, as is bebek betutu, smoked stuffed duck wrapped in bamboo leaves.

In Jimbaran area, for instance, you can sample seafood dishes while sitting on the beach. Visit this place in the evening, the cool atmosphere and caressing breeze will make your dining experience remarkable.

You might want to try these:

KEBAB PALACE
Jl.Kartika Plaza Kuta Center, Kuta - Bali

AYAM BAKAR WONG SOLO
Jl.Raya Kuta no.87, Kuta - Bali
Jl. Merdeka no.18, Denpasar - Bali

RAJA’S BALINESE RESTAURANT
Nusa Dua Beach Hotel&Spa, Nusa Dua - Bali

ANIKA BALINESE COOKING
Jl.Elang No.3, Tuban, Kuta - Bali

DEPOT LA TANSA
Jl.Diponegoro No. 240 A, Sanglah, Denpasar - Bali

BATUR INDAH
Panelokan Kintamani, Bangli

BENGAWAN SOLO & BAR
Jalan Imam Bonjol 386, Denpasar

CAFE DAHANDE
Jalan Raya Seminyak, Kuta

PUALAN INT’L RESTAURANT
Jalan Sanur Beach 37, Sanur

ULAM
Jalan Pantai Mengiat, Nusa Dua

PLAZA BALI SEAFOOD
Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai, Kuta

BUNGA KELAPA RESTAURANT
Alam Kul Kul
Jl.Pantai Kuta, Legian - Bali

SELERA KURING
Jl.Sunset Road (Dewi Sri) No.88, Seminyak, Kuta - Bali

For Moslem tourists, don’t worry or afraid that you cannot get ‘halal’ food in Bali, because there are also many food stalls and food center that are safe to be consumed by Moslem believers. Start from green beans, ketupat tahu (rice boiled in a rhombus shaped packet plaited young coconut leaves mixed with tofu), bakso (meatball), satay, rujak (spicy mixed fruit), satay lilit (usually fish twisted on a stick), pepes (burned/steamed wrapped fish), ikan bakar (roasted fish), and many others. These kind of food are very suitable to be served with pelecing kangkung (a hot spicy leafy vegetable), and hot sambal. Various kinds of traditional snacks are also tempting to be tested such as bubuh injin, laklak, jaja uli and many others.

The safest tips to choose restaurant, certainly is asking the restaurant officers. Must be noticed for Moslem believers that most restaurant in the hotels serve international menu which are often unavoidable using pork.

Source: http://my-indonesia.info/

Add comment August 28th, 2007

Kuta Karnival Schedule Announced

Organizers have adopted Bali’s new branding of Shanti Shanti Shanti” as the organizing point for the 9-day festival which celebrates Kuta’s undying spirit, unity and dedication to peace. I Made Saputra Karang, the Chairman of the Kuta Karnival committee told the Indonesian-language DenPost, “We wish to continue to proclaim and champion the spirit of unity, rich diversity and peace of the Kuta community throughout the festival.”

Schedule of Events

Here’s the busy program of events for this year’s Kuta Karnival:

Saturday, September 1, 2007

• 10.00 - 22.00 Suzuki Music Festival - Main Stage Kuta Beach
• 10.00 - 17.00 Environment Display - Balawista Lifeguard Corner.
• 10:00 ” 18:00 Free Skating - Skate Ramp Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 10:00 ” 18:00 Beach Stalls - Halfway Kuta Beach. Food, drinks and merchandise on sale at a beachside bazaar.
• 15:00 ” 18:00 Opening Ceremony - Balawista Lifeguard Corner. Includes colossal opening dance involving over 200 Balinese dancers.
• 10:00 ” 18:00 Tebs Shocking Games - Halfway Kuta Beach. Tree-to-tree fox flying, bridge crossing and other action games.
• 16:00-17:00 Bali Paddle for Peace - Balawista Lifeguard Corner. Over 1,000 surfers expected to help form a “circle of peace.”
• 17:00 ” 18:00 Sea Turtle Hatchlings Release - Balawista Lifeguard Corner.
• 16:00 ” 17:00 ISI Art Happening - Balawista Lifeguard Corner. An art show by Bali’s Indonesian Art Institute.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

• 06:00 ” 10:00 Prima Fun Walk - Halfway Kuta Beach. Join the walk from the PrimaA drink stall down Jalan Melasti and Jalan Legian before returning to Kuta Beach.
• 08:00 ” 15:00 Bali Garden Hotel Kite Festival - Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 10:00 ” 17:00 - Environment Display & ISI Art Happening - Balawista Lifeguard Corner.
• 11:00 ” 14:00 Gus Rubbish-Bin Painting Competition - Balawista Lifeguard Corner.
• 10:00 ” 17:00 Surfer Girl Balinese Dance Competition - Balawista Lifeguard Corner. 10-17 year-old boys and girls in a traditional dance competition.
• 10.00 - 18.00 Tebs Shocking Games, Beach Stalls and Free Skating - Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 10.00 - 22.00 Suzuki Beach Festival - Main Stage, Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 16:00 ” 18:00 Kids Playground - Bali Garden Hotel. Come join the fun and build a sand castle.

Monday, September 3, 2007

• 10:00 ” 17:00 Environment Display - Balawista Lifeguard Corner.
• 10.00 - 18.00 Tebs Shocking Games, Beach Stalls and Free Skating - Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 14:00 ” 15:00 IPOLA Beach Games - Halfway Kuta Beach. Watch Bali’s lifeguards compete in beach games.
• 16:00 ” 17:00 Bali Garden Hotel Beach Games - Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 16:00 ” 18:00 Sunset Dance - Balawista Lifeguard Corner. Traditional cultural performance.

Tuesday & Wednesday, September 4 & 5, 2007

• 10.00 - 18.00 Tebs Shocking Games, Beach Stalls and Free Skating - Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 10:00 ” 17:00 Environment Display - Balawista Lifeguard Corner.
• 10:00 ” 18:00 Beach Stalls - Halfway Kuta Beach. Food, drinks and merchandise on sale at a beachside bazaar.
• 10:00 ” 18:00 Free Skating - Skate Ramp Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 14:00 ” 15:00 IPOLA Beach Games - Halfway Kuta Beach. Watch Balis lifeguards compete in beach games.
• 16:00 ” 17:00 Bali Garden Hotel Beach Games - Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 16:00 ” 18:00 Sunset Dance - Balawista Lifeguard Corner. Traditional cultural performance.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

• 10:00 ” 17:00 Environment Display - Balawista Lifeguard Corner.
• 10.00 - 18.00 Tebs Shocking Games, Beach Stalls and Free Skating - Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 10:00 ” 18:00 Free Skating - Skate Ramp Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 10:00 ” 18:00 Beach Stalls - Halfway Kuta Beach. Food, drinks and merchandise on sale at a beachside bazaar.
• 10:00 ” 22:00 Bali Islamic Festival - Discovery Shopping Mall. Rebana music festival and Islamic fashion show.
• 16:00 ” 18:00 Bali Garden Hotel Sand Playground - Halfway Kuta Beach. Bring your shovel and pail and build a sand castle for prizes.
• 16:00 ” 18:00 PVSI Beach Volleyball Competition Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 16:00 ” 18:00 Sunset Dance - Balawista Lifeguard Corner. Traditional cultural performance.

Friday, September 7, 2007

• Cardinal Awards - Main Stage Halfway Kuta Beach. The performance and award ceremony following a 13-city search for the best Indonesian band and dance group.
• 10:00 ” 17:00 Environment Display - Balawista Lifeguard Corner.
• 10.00 - 18.00 Tebs Shocking Games, Beach Stalls and Free Skating - Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 10:00 ” 18:00 Free Skating - Skate Ramp Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 10:00 ” 18:00 Beach Stalls - Halfway Kuta Beach. Food, drinks and merchandise on sale at a beachside bazaar.
• 10:00-22:00 Bali Islamic Festival - Discovery Shopping Mall.
• 15:00 ” 18:00 Billabong Miniramp Competition - Skate Ramp Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 16:00 ” 18:00 Sunset Dance - Balawista Lifeguard Corner. Traditional cultural performance.
• 16:00 ” 18:00 PVSI Beach Volleyball Competition Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 16:00 ” 18:00 Bali Garden Hotel Sand Playground - Halfway Kuta Beach. Bring your shovel and pail and build a sand castle for prizes.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

• 10:00 ” 17:00 Environment Display - Balawista Lifeguard Corner.
• 10.00 - 18.00 Tebs Shocking Games & Beach Stalls - Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 10:00-22:00 Bali Islamic Festival - Discovery Shopping Mall.
• 15:00- 21:00 Billabong Bowl Competition - Base Skate Park.
• 16:00 ” 18:00 Sunset Dance - Balawista Lifeguard Corner. Traditional cultural performance.
• 16:00 ” 18:00 Bali Garden Sand Creativity Competition Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 13:00 ” 22:00 Food Festival and Stage Performance Legian Beach. 50 Bali restaurants offer food plus live entertainment on stage!

Sunday, September 9, 2007

• 10:00 ” 15:00 Sand Creativity Display - Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 10.00 - 18.00 Tebs Shocking Games & Beach Stalls - Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 10:00 ” 17:00 Environment Display - Balawista Lifeguard Corner.
• 10:00 ” 22:00 Suzuki New Model Launch & Music Festival - Main Stage Halfway Kuta Beach.
• 10:00-22:00 Bali Islamic Festival - Discovery Shopping Mall.
• 15:00 ” 21:00 Element Street Competition - Base Skate Park.
• 13:00 ” 22:00 Food Festival and Stage Performance Legian Beach. 50 Bali restaurants offer food plus live entertainment on stage!
• 15:00 ” 19:00 Kuta Karnival Closing Ceremony and Grand Parade - A Kuta Karnival tradition with over 2,000 participants expected.

Source: www.balidiscovery.com

Add comment August 28th, 2007