(Balidiscovery) 150 officials from nine countries are expected in Bali this week at the Education for All Conference (EFA).
Scheduled to be held from March 10-12, 2008, the conference will be opened by Indonesia’s Vice President Jusuf Kalla. The conference, first held in 1995, is dedicated to eradicating illiteracy, estimated to be as high as 70% in some of the countries participating in the Bali conference.
According to a conference organizer, the Bali gathering is targeting to produce a joint declaration to reduce the problem of illiteracy.
The nine countries represented at EFA are India, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, Egypt and Pakistan. Each of these countries are “high population nations” where illiteracy, gender disparity and teacher training remain major concerns.
According to a statement issued by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): “Improving the number and quality of teachers is seen as a key to further progress and the subject is high on the agenda of this seventh meeting of the E-9 group. In some E-9 countries only 50% of teachers have received primary education training. Recognizing the critical role teachers play as catalysts for change, the meeting will thus concentrate on teacher education and training, highlighting individual country and regional experiences.”
The EFA Conference will be held at the Bali International Conference Center in Nusa Dua.
Source: www.balidiscovery.com
March 14th, 2008
Garuda Orient Holidays has released the 2008/09 edition of their iconic “Bali on ANY budget” brochure.
In a departure from the traditional Balinese themes that have graced the cover of past brochures, this year’s “Bali on ANY budget” features a stunning image of one of Bali’s many luxury properties on the front cover, with equally mouth-watering hotels appearing on the inside front  and outside back covers.
The new cover design is indicative of the wholesaler’s intention to depict Bali in a fresh, new way that is representative of the extraordinary diversity and value that Bali has to offer these days.
GOH Director, Mr. Poerwoko Soeparyono, says that the new cover showcases the Bali of today and reinforces the fact that the “Bali on ANY budget” product truly offers a Balinese experience that suits ANY budget, from the most basic to the most lavish.
Inside, the new brochure continues to offer the huge volume of helpful information and holiday choices that Australian consumers have come to expect, and caused the industry to adopt the brochure as it’s preferred Bali reference tool.
Given the volume of repeat visitors to the island, it is also appropriate that an updated airline page provides details of Garuda Indonesia’s Frequent Flyer program.
Adventure-seekers and special interest clients will be pleased to note these additions to the brochure:
- New Rip Curl School of Surf classes (page
- New product and pricing for Bali Diving Academy (page 9 - formerly Bali Hai Diving Adventures) offering easier options for casual divers to purchase local area diving in 4 locations – Nusa Lembongan Island, Tulamben (East Bali), Pemuteran (North Bali) and Gili Trawangan Island (off Lombok)
- “Tee off to Bali” (page 11) now includes pricing for 3Day/2Night “Golf Break” packages at Le Meridien Nirwana Resort and Nirwana Bali Golf
- Surfing Indo (page 13) now includes “Wave Hunter” (sister to Captain Coconuts) operating Lombok/Sumbawa surf boat trips
The Aman Resorts feature has been re-designed and now features exceptional valued Aman Packages at these leading luxury resorts.
A
lso, the ever increasing popularity of villa holidays has resulted in some new additions in the Villa Holiday section of the brochure (page 17), including:
- Sun Island Villas (previously Aston Sun Island)
- Sesari Bail (a very popular new property listing in Seminyak)
- Kupu Kupu Barong Beach Resort (previously Santi Phala) sister to Kupu Kupu Barong, Ubud and a new listing in South Kuta
- Karma Kandara and Karma Resorts Jimbaran (new listings in Uluwatu and Jimbaran)
Other new, or returning, properties to look out for include:
- Ida Hotel (page 29) in Kuta (sister hotel to Dewi Sri and Barong)
- Anantara (page 35) in Seminyak (brand new luxury suite property situated across the road from Gado Gado Restaurant)
- Outrigger O-CE-N (page36) in Seminyak (opening mid April 2008)
- Segara Village (page 40) in Sanur (returning after several years following substantial renovations)
- Melia Benoa (page 45) in Tanjung Benoa (returning to meet the resurgence in demand for “all inclusive” resorts)
- The Santosa Villas (page 65) in Lombok (formerly Intan Lombok Village, now substantially renovated)
- Bali Village Hotel (page 66) in Legian (a traditional Balinese style budget hotel)
Supplies of the new brochure are now available to select travel agents through TIFS www.tifs.com.au . An announcement will be made shortly regarding the new version of the popular e-brochure on the www.BalionANYbudget.com.au website.
Source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com/
March 14th, 2008