Bali Tourism News

Bali Tourism Development Corporation signs joint venture with Emaar for Lombok mega-tourism project

The Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC), a key partner assisting the Indonesian government in infrastructure building, has signed a joint venture with Emaar Properties PJSC, one of the world’s leading property developers, to undertake the Lombok mega-tourism and mixed-use project.

In the presence of Indonesian President Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Mr I Made Mandra, President Director, BTDC, and Mr Muhammad Lutfi, Chief, Investment Coordinating Board, signed the joint venture agreement with Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, in Dubai, today.

The flagship Lombok project is envisaged as a world-class residential and resort community sprawling over 1,175 hectares. Masterplanning for the AED 2.2 billion (US$600 million; IDR5446 billion) development will begin in April. Set on the pristine Kuta and Tanjung beaches, the project will be environment-friendly and integrate residential, leisure and hospitality zones. The JV will also explore further growth opportunities in Indonesia.

Mr Mandra said: “The joint venture with Emaar Properties underscores the strong bilateral business relations between Indonesia and the UAE. Indonesia welcomes investments that add to the socio-economic prosperity of our people, and Emaar with its proven competencies as a world-class developer, can contribute to the country’s economic growth. The Lombok project will particularly focus on tourism to complement the growing appeal of the destination.�

Mr Alabbar said: “Bali Tourism Development Corporation has been one of the prime drivers of the Indonesian economy, and has accomplished several milestone projects with a focus on infrastructure building. The joint venture lends momentum to our expansion plans for Indonesia, a key market where we have already been involved in developing eco-friendly homes in Ngelepen to rehabilitate the earthquake affected.�

Emaar is one of the first developers from the Middle East and North Africa region to expand into Indonesia, an emerging market with strong growth potential, especially in the tourism sector. Last year, Emaar signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Perusahaan Pengelola Aset (PPA), the state-owned Asset Management Company, for developing the Lombok project.

The focus of the project will be to drive tourism to the region by offering a diverse leisure spread such as diving, snorkeling, hiking and surfing sports, for which Lombok is acclaimed globally. There will be a 7 km natural waterfront supporting a marina, luxury residences, golf course and resorts to be operated by five-star hospitality chains.

Established in 1973, BTDC supports the Indonesian government in economic and national development, with emphasis on strengthening foreign investment and creating job opportunities. BTDC has been instrumental in the inception of some of Indonesia’s renowned development projects including hotels, resorts and shopping complexes.

Emaar’s expansion to Indonesia is in line with its Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world through geographic expansion and business segmentation. Emaar has a growing presence in Asia, and has already opened its first Emaar - Raffles International School in Singapore.
© 2008 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)

Source: http://www.albawaba.com/

Add comment March 24th, 2008

Bali – The Best Triathlon Destination

(Balidiscovery) In June of 2007, Bali hosted its first triathlon – an epic race combining 1.5 km of ocean swimming, 40 km of cycling and 10 kms of running - all undertaken either individually or in teams of three. Drawing over 200 athletes to an event that began and finished on Bali’s picturesque Jimbaran Bay, the inaugural event was a success by any standard, a fact further emphasized by Bali’s selection as “Best Triathlon Destination” by the prestigious Competitors Magazine (U.S.A.).

In keeping with the organizer’s concept, the Bali race presented a distinctively Balinese event combining races along the Island’s picturesque southern peninsula passing traditional villages, where sarong-clad race marshals stood guard, and included a traditional blessing of the bikes and their riders by a Balinese priest.

As Bali prepares for the 2nd Bali International Triathlon on Sunday, June 29, 2008, a gathering of key players joined a lunch in their honor on March 18, 2008, sponsored by the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay. Presented with awards acknowledging their selfless support of Bali’s first triathlon that resulted in the destination award for Bali were :

• A.A. Gde Agung, the Bupati (Regent) of Badung in Bali.
• The People of Jimbaram represented by the Lurah, the local community leader.
• Inspector General Paulus Purwoko, Chief of Police for the island of Bali.
• Drs. Gede Nurjaya, Head of the Bali Tourism Authority
• I Made Mandra, Head of the Bali Tourism Development Corporation.
• Michael Burchett, Chairman of the Bali Hotel Association.
• John O’Sullivan, General Manager of Four Seasons Resorts in Bali.

More Participants, More Fun at 2008 Event

Growing support from the island of Bali and sponsors ensure that this year’s event, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, 2008, will stay on track with its plans to become a major event on the international sports calendar. Some of the highlights for June’s event include:

• A planned near 50% increase in registered participants.
• An expanded “beach party” at the start/finish line at the Four Season’s Coconut Grove on Jimbaran Beach with live music, vendor kiosks and award presentation.
• Participation by international celebrity triathletes.
• Expanded corporate team challenge category participation with a “competition within the competition” among 3-person teams drawn from the ranks of Bali’s leading hotels.
• Exciting prizes for overall and age/sec category winners, including prize purses for top Indonesian finishers.

Register Now

Registration details are available at the [ Bali International Triathlon Official Website].

Registration for individuals and teams include the race and admission to a pre-race sundowner June 27th and a High-Card dinner on June 28th – both hosted at the award-winning Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay.

Bali Discovery Tours is offering a range of attractive accommodation options for both race participants and spectators via the official website.

Bali International Triathlon is operated by Bali International Triathlon LLC (USA) - supported by Bali Discovery Tours (Indonesia) and Generic Events (USA).

Source: www.balidiscovery.com

Add comment March 24th, 2008