Archive for October 23rd, 2007
Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will send off a group of 15 cyclists on a 20-day cross-nation trip from Jakarta to Bali on November 11, 2007.
Designed to underline Indonesia’s support for the coming United Nations Forum on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held in Bali December 3-14, 2007, the bicyclists will travel 1,433 kilometers covering an average 72 kilometers each day as the group visits 40 cities along the route.
In support of the cyclists the government will provide accommodation and other assistance along the entire route, including organizing tree plantings and activities to promote the popularity of cycling as an alternative to fossil-fueled vehicles as a means of transportation.
The Bike to Work (B2W) movement in Indonesia has 7,000 registered members, with 4,000 members in Jakarta alone.
The cross-country cyclists are expected to arrive in Bali on November 30 at which time they will hoist the U.N. flag to welcome the more than 10,000 participants expected to come to the island to participate in the UNFCCC.
Source: www.balidiscovery.comÂ
October 23rd, 2007
On October 7, 2007, The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have that Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport is once again considered to be compliant with the strict aviation safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The announcement reverses a December 23, 2005, declaration by the TSA stating the Bali airport fell below minimum safety standards that resulted in cautionary warnings to that effect being prominently posted at major airports across the U.S.A..
In announcing the recertification of Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport by the TCA, the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta praised efforts by Bali over the past two years to improve security standards at the airport. “I am very happy to inform Mr. Jusman Syafii Djamal, Indonesia’s Minister of Transportation, that our government have acknowledged that Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport has met international safety standards,” said the Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, John Hefferen.
“This is very good new for Indonesia as it prepares to host the United Nations COP-13 Climate Change Conference in Bali this December,” he added.
The Department of Homeland Security has now issued instructions to all airports across the U.S. to remove all written notices cautioning against travel to Bali’s airport.
U.S. Law requires safety standards at all international airport offering flights to U.S. cities be regularly reviewed..
Source: www.balidiscovery.com
October 23rd, 2007
Republika On-Line reports that the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik has identified spiritual tourism as a key product for Bali’s future.
According to the Minister, “a source for tourism in Bali for the future is spiritual tourism because of the potentials and possibilities offered in the cities and regions in Bali.”
Speaking before a conference on “Major Trends – Opportunities and Investments in Tourism,” Wacik said the main market sources for spiritual tourism are from Japan, Europe and the United States. “Tourist coming from these countries have become bored with crowded tourist attractions and are now seeking ‘quieter’ tourism, such as places for mediation and reflections upon their Creator,” he explained.
The Minister said that all locations in Bali have potential for spiritual tourism together with other destinations in Indonesia, such as Tanah Toraja in Sulawesi and Central Java. Wacik emphasized that in addition to the physical location for this form of tourism, it is also essential to have staff trained in meditative practice and yoga.
Commenting separately, Bali’s Chief of Tourism, Drs. I Gede Nurjaya, said that the Balinese have a close connection with nature and an all pervading sense of spirituality. The leading government official in charge of Bali’s tourism said that the Balinese see nature in a religious context and have a wide range of ritual practice honoring nature. Because of this, said Nurjaya, Bali is the proper choice of location for the development of spiritual tourism.
Source: www.balidiscovery.comÂ
October 23rd, 2007