Archive for March, 2009
Having spent Rp 6.5 billion (US$539,500) of the city’s budget sponsoring the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open golf tournament in Bali, the Jakarta Culture and Tourism Agency defended the decision as key to reaching a wider audience expected to also be interested in visiting Jakarta.
Agency head Arie Budhiman said the Bali tournament was part of an effort to promote Jakarta’s golf courses and facilities globally.
“Promoting our golf facilities to the world is not an instant move. We have to attract potential visitors, especially foreigners, with international coverage,” he told The Jakarta Post in a phone interview Friday.
He added that moving the venue to Bali was done for this reason.
The tournament, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour, was held in Greater Jakarta in the last four years. This year, it moved to Pecatu, Badung regency, Bali, where event regular Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand claimed the title.
Arie also said the Bali event had not put any extra burden on Jakarta.
“We only prepared Rp 6.5 billion for the prizes. Other expenses, including accommodation, were paid for by sponsors,” he said.
He added the administration planned to bring the event back to Jakarta next year before moving it elsewhere again in 2011.
“We still don’t know where to hold the tournament in two years’ time. If Bali yields a good response, it could be in Bali again,” he said.
The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association’s (PHRI) Jakarta branch said it supported the idea of moving the tournament out of the city, but only if it benefited the capital’s tourism industry.
“The PHRI supports the city’s move as long as it helps boost the city’s tourism sector,” PHRI Jakarta head Khrisnadi told the Post.
He added his association and the city administration were currently evaluating the results of moving the tournament to Bali.
“So far we’ve seen that holding an international event in a famous place like Bali can help spread the information a lot better to global viewers,” he said.
Jakarta has eight golf courses, three of them within an hour’s drive of Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
Many city taxpayers remain concerned about the use of their money to fund an event in another province.
The city administration has spent Rp 2 billion on the Jakarta Biennale arts festival this year, with another Rp 1.2 billion for the Jakarta International Film Festival (Jiffest).
Jiffest has been pleading for more funding from the city administration, arguing that such an event would benefit Jakarta, as the festival draws from 50,000 to more than 60,000 visitors a year, many from outside Jakarta and even abroad. Since 2006 the festival has been the biggest such event in Southeast Asia, in term of visitors. (hwa)
Source: The Jakarta Post
March 11th, 2009
The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali receives a Silver prestigious Bali’s tourism awards of Tri Hita Karana (THK). The awards nomination is participated by 120 resorts, hotels and tourist attractions in Bali and is organised by Bali Travel News magazine which conducted annually. The awards presented is based on recognising accommodation operators and tourist attractions in Bali that is in their business embody high levels of professionalism while at the same time embracing the spiritual and community values of Balinese culture.
This recognition brings The Laguna Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali to the next level of accommodation industry amongst others in Bali which has a high attention and concern to preserve Bali’s natures and cultures to build and maintain a sustainable tourism environment in Bali.
The Laguna Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali is a haven of relaxed luxury offering the highest level of personalised service to discerning travellers. Located in the exclusive Nusa Dua resort area, on Bali’s most beautiful beach, a tranquil haven of tropical gardens and sparkling lagoons, the resort features 271 guestrooms and suites reflect a contemporary Balinese style. A Lagoon Access Rooms allow the guest to step from their private balcony directly into crystal-clear lagoon waters, 24 hours Butler service, 3 restaurants and bars, meeting facilities and spa. To learn more the resort, please visit
www.luxurycollection.com/baliSource:Â www.etravelblackboard.com
March 10th, 2009
Ni Komang Erviani , THE JAKARTA POST , KLUNGKUNG,BALI
Bali has been billed as one of the world’s top spiritual tourism destinations, but its potential has yet to be fully tapped, a seminar heard Saturday.
Wayan Wijayasa, an industry observer from the Denpasar Tourism Academy, said the fact was, spiritual tourism was already blooming in Bali.
“A simple example is the fact there are more and more hotels offering yoga classes. More and more tourists are coming to Bali to deepen their spirituality, although we do not have the detailed figures yet,” he said.
Wijayasa, who has a master’s degree in tourism focusing on yoga, was speaking at the seminar being held at the Ashram Gandhi Puri Sevagram in Klungkung. The seminar was part of the ongoing International Bali-India Yoga Festival, which runs until Tuesday.
He said the untapped potential to develop such tourism came mainly from Western countries, whose citizens were keen to learn Eastern philosophy, especially yoga. Citing from a study conducted by US researcher Hodge, he said there were 16.5 million adults in the United States alone who practiced yoga.
“If only 1 percent of that figure visited Bali for spiritual tourism, then there would be at least 160,000 yoga tourists to Bali in a year,” Wijayasa said.
The study also found Americans spent a total of US$2.95 billion on buying yoga equipment, including mattresses, and classes.
“If Bali was more creative, we could become the main supplier for such equipment,” Wijayasa said.
Based on his own study in 2007, Wijayasa found there were 14 hotels in Ubud, Bangli regency, that offered yoga classes.
Wijayasa was upbeat that Bali could benefit greatly from spiritual tourism, especially considering the island also boasted beautiful natural scenery such as beaches and mountains, thus adding to the strong spiritual vibrations.
Also speaking at the seminar was Ketut Narya, head of research and development at the Bali Tourism Agency, and Indra Udayana, head of the Ashram Gandhi Puri Sevagram.
Despite the huge potential, Narya admitted the provincial administration had yet to draw up a clear concept on how to develop spiritual tourism in the island province.
“The development of spiritual tourism has been done by practitioners, while the provincial administration has yet to devise a development concept,” he said.
“Nevertheless, the administration strongly supports efforts to develop spiritual tourism in Bali.”
“We will soon devise a concept to develop spiritual tourism as a way to enhance, enrich and broaden the tourism products we already have.”
Narya added spiritual tourism was in line with the cultural tourism concept, regulated under Bylaw No. 3/1991 on Cultural Tourism.
“We are also expecting spiritual tourism to help extend visitors’ length of stay, which in turn will bring higher spending,” he said.
The agency recorded that in 2008, the average length of stay in Bali was 10.6 days.
Indra added there was such a high potential for spiritual tourism here, and cited his own facility. Ashram Gandhi Puri Sevagram has five bedrooms, with visitors staying an average of two weeks.
Source: The Jakarta Post
March 10th, 2009
JAKARTA, March 5 (Xinhua) — The number of Chinese tourists visiting Indonesia’s resort island of Bali rose to 23,100 in January, up 82.6 percent compared with December, local newspaper the Jakarta Post reported Thursday.
    Chinese tourists accounted for 14.01 percent of the total number of foreign tourists visiting the resort island in January, the local statistic agency said.
    ”It is a 82.6 percent increase from 12,654 Chinese tourists visiting the island in the previous month,” head of the Bali Provincial Office of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) Ida Komang Wisnu was quoted by the daily as saying.
    Last year, 131,319 Chinese tourists visited Bali, jumping 55.82 percent from the year before when the figure was 84,278.
    China now ranks the third after Australia and Japan in terms of the number of tourists visiting Bali.
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com
March 6th, 2009
National Restaurant Association SmartBrief
Chris Salans introduced fine dining to Bali when he opened Mozaic. He not only serves high-end cuisine, but he also instructs local chefs on the art. The chef likes to incorporate local flavor into his dishes, saying, “In New York, you’re lucky to work with ginger and lemongrass, and they call that Asian.” International Herald Tribune (03/04)
Source: www.smartbrief.com/news
March 6th, 2009
The first St. Regis Resort in Asia Celebrated its Grand Opening with Distinguished Guests, Extraordinary Cuisine and Performance by International Artist, top U.K. Jazz Singer Jamie Cullum
Bali, Indonesia –  2nd March 2009 – The St. Regis Bali Resort celebrated its grand opening on February 28, 2009, with an extraordinary evening that included an exclusive performance by international artist and top U.K. jazz performer, Jamie Cullum. The resort, which opened on September 15, is located in Nusa Dua, an elite beach enclave on the Southern tip of Bali. The St. Regis Bali Resort features 123 luxurious, oversized suites and villas, two exclusive Residences, world-class restaurants and bars, a signature Remède Spa, an intimate wedding chapel, ballroom and state-of-the-art meeting spaces.
Reminiscent of the legendary social gatherings that took place over a century ago for the influential, glitterati and high society at the original St. Regis New York, the exclusive celebration at The St. Regis Bali Resort will be attended by 200 distinguished business guests and socialites. The diamonds and pearls theme of the celebration will reflect the luxury, elegance, and sophistication of the renowned galas and events thrown by Mrs. Caroline Astor, at The St. Regis New York more than a century ago.
The lobby and Astor Ballroom will be transformed by flower arrangements to create a magical setting for the evening. Guests will enjoy signature cocktails and canapés, as well as oysters served from elaborate ice carvings in the lobby ponds. Live music from solo violinist, jazz singer and spectacular fire lighting ritual culminated with the soothing sounds of top U.K. jazz singer Jamie Cullum.
“We are proud to be officially unveiling the first St. Regis Resort in Asia. We are confident that following months of preparation since we started operations in September 2008, we will host a celebration that will create a delightful memory for guests,” said general manager, Frank Beck.
“The St. Regis Bali Resort is the brand’s first resort in Asia and also the first internationally branded luxury resort to be located directly on the beach. With its strategic location and the rich residential feel of its rooms, combined with the uncompromising, bespoke service of the St. Regis Brand, this resort will make an ideal choice for global travelers,” said Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.
Owned by PRBI- Pacific Resort Buana Indonesia, The St. Regis Bali Resort occupies a breathtaking beachfront location with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and neighboring Bali Golf & Country Club. With Grounds Kent Architect as the main architect, Bensley Design Studios, the extraordinary landscape architecture, weaves together art, traditional Balinese design and natural influences, while interiors by Manny Samson and Associates combine rich imported fabrics with indigenous materials and cultural artifacts that reflect the island’s rich heritage. Exquisite furnishings and amenities in the resort’s guest rooms and suites create a tranquil and luxurious setting for discerning global travelers.
Dining at The St. Regis Bali Resort indulges the senses with a diverse menu of sophisticated island-inspired cuisine. Kayuputi, a dazzling beachfront restaurant with stylish interiors, features an exotic menu of caviar, Wagyu beef and seafood al fresco in a private cabana set against an ocean backdrop. At the resort’s second restaurant, Boneka, guests are invited to savor authentic Asian-style dishes in a sophisticated and relaxing setting. The King Cole Bar honors the legacy of the Astors and the brand’s flagship property in New York, the birthplace of the iconic Bloody Mary. Home-made delicacies and imported fine culinary delights are available at Gourmand Deli. The Legendary St. Regis Butler Service is also available to prepare a private, in room-barbecue for guests, accompanied by a personal chef and sommelier.
A suite of pampering services is available at The St. Regis Bali Resort’s Remède Spa, set in a serene corner of the resort surrounded by Koi Carp pond. Featuring twelve treatment rooms, the spa offers both traditional treatments and modern Remède therapies to create the ultimate spa experience. The signature Lulur Experience of Indonesia includes gentle exfoliation with a paste of sandalwood, turmeric, ground nuts and rice. Other facilities include an Aqua Vitale Pool, for a full body underwater massage, two phenomenal spa suites and a yoga center.
For guests seeking an exclusive and romantic wedding destination, The St. Regis Bali Resort offers an exceptional wedding venue, unparalleled in setting and service. Located directly on the resort’s private beach, the Cloud Nine Chapel is both intimate and elegant, while the Cloud Nine honeymoon villa offers a majestic setting for an unforgettable wedding experience. An ideal choice for meetings on one of Asia’s leading resort islands, The St. Regis Bali Resort offers an exclusive beachfront location for social and corporate gatherings, featuring two boardrooms, and state-of-the-art meeting and function space.
Following in the tradition of the legendary St. Regis Hotel New York, The St. Regis Bali Resort will feature the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including the iconic St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to meet global travelers’ needs. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guests needs and customizing each guest’s stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences. The resort offers guests 12-hour and 24-hour personalized butler service, as well as separate butler quarters, complete with a private entrance, for each villa.
For more information on The St. Regis Bali Resort, please visit: www.stregis.com/bali
Source: www.etravelblackboard.com
March 5th, 2009
Bali, March 03: Only weeks after Islamic leaders conditionally ruled against yoga, the popular Indonesian tourist resort of Bali is hosting an international meet to popularise the ancient Indian form of body and mind workout.
An International Bali-India Yoga Festival starts here Tuesday and ends March 10 with participants set to pour in from many countries including India.
The gathering will seek to set up the first Yoga Association of Indonesia, the world’s most populous Islamic nation, said Somvir, an Indian academic here who heads the Bali-India Foundation and is one of the key festival organisers.
“The gathering is designed to teach people about yoga as a simple method for healthy living,” Somvir told. “Our foundation is engaged in teaching yoga to doctors of Bali, in order to train them in alternative lifestyles based on yoga.
“In Indonesia today, more than 10 million people from different walks of life practice yoga. Yoga is also accepted by more and more people each day,” he added.
On Jan 26, Indonesia’s top Islamic body asked Muslims not to go yoga if it involved Hindu rituals as that could erode Muslim faith. But Muslims could do yoga as long as it was only for physical exercise and did not include chanting ‘mantras’ or meditation, it added.
That controversy will be discussed at the yoga meet, Somvir said.
“Scholars from the Islamic State University of Jakarta will take part in the meeting to discuss Islam and yoga,” he said. “The controversy over the practice of yoga by Muslims will be discussed at the festival.”
Somvir, who has lived in Bali for long years, said that although yoga was universally known, some people confused it with Hindu religion due to lack of knowledge.
“This practice is what Islamic people have opposed. Therefore, this is an important time to discuss various issues related to yoga. This festival will provide answers to all related yoga concerns,” said Somvir.
Besides mass yoga practice and a national yoga competition, the festival will see seminars and the links between yoga and beauty as well as health.
There will be discussions on yoga and spiritualism, workshop on yoga and globalization and a yoga dance and fashion show. There will also be an exhibition of books on yoga.
The festival also aims to promote Bali as a destination for spiritual tourism and to strengthen relations between Bali and India.
“There has not been sufficient promotion of Bali as a tourist destination for Indians,” Somvir said. “This event will introduce Bali as a second major spiritual tourist destination after India.”
“Bali is famous for scenic beauty and surrounded by the sea. It will soon become a major destination for yoga lovers,” said Somvir, who is chairman of the festival.
IANS
Source: http://international.zeenews.com
March 4th, 2009
(News Source: Starwood Hotels)
(BALI, INDONISIA) — March 2nd 2009 — The St. Regis Bali Resort celebrated its grand opening on February 28, 2009, with an extraordinary evening that included an exclusive performance by international artist and top U.K. jazz performer, Jamie Cullum. The resort, which opened on September 15, is located in Nusa Dua, an elite beach enclave on the Southern tip of Bali. The St. Regis Bali Resort features 123 luxurious, oversized suites and villas, two exclusive Residences, world-class restaurants and bars, a signature Remède Spa, an intimate wedding chapel, ballroom and state-of-the-art meeting spaces.
Reminiscent of the legendary social gatherings that took place over a century ago for the influential, glitterati and high society at the original St. Regis New York, the exclusive celebration at The St. Regis Bali Resort will be attended by 200 distinguished business guests and socialites. The diamonds and pearls theme of the celebration will reflect the luxury, elegance, and sophistication of the renowned galas and events thrown by Mrs. Caroline Astor, at The St. Regis New York more than a century ago.
The lobby and Astor Ballroom will be transformed by flower arrangements to create a magical setting for the evening. Guests will enjoy signature cocktails and canapés, as well as oysters served from elaborate ice carvings in the lobby ponds. Live music from solo violinist, jazz singer and spectacular fire lighting ritual culminated with the soothing sounds of top U.K. jazz singer Jamie Cullum.
“We are proud to be officially unveiling the first St. Regis Resort in Asia. We are confident that following months of preparation since we started operations in September 2008, we will host a celebration that will create a delightful memory for guests,” said general manager, Frank Beck.
“The St. Regis Bali Resort is the brand’s first resort in Asia and also the first internationally branded luxury resort to be located directly on the beach. With its strategic location and the rich residential feel of its rooms, combined with the uncompromising, bespoke service of the St. Regis Brand, this resort will make an ideal choice for global travelers,” said Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.
Owned by PRBI - Pacific Resort Buana Indonesia, The St. Regis Bali Resort occupies a breathtaking beachfront location with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and neighboring Bali Golf & Country Club. With Grounds Kent Architect as the main architect, Bensley Design Studios, the extraordinary landscape architecture, weaves together art, traditional Balinese design and natural influences, while interiors by Manny Samson and Associates combine rich imported fabrics with indigenous materials and cultural artifacts that reflect the island’s rich heritage. Exquisite furnishings and amenities in the resort’s guest rooms and suites create a tranquil and luxurious setting for discerning global travelers.
Dining at The St. Regis Bali Resort indulges the senses with a diverse menu of sophisticated island-inspired cuisine. Kayuputi, a dazzling beachfront restaurant with stylish interiors, features an exotic menu of caviar, Wagyu beef and seafood al fresco in a private cabana set against an ocean backdrop. At the resort’s second restaurant, Boneka, guests are invited to savor authentic Asian-style dishes in a sophisticated and relaxing setting. The King Cole Bar honors the legacy of the Astors and the brand’s flagship property in New York, the birthplace of the iconic Bloody Mary. Home-made delicacies and imported fine culinary delights are available at Gourmand Deli. The Legendary St. Regis Butler Service is also available to prepare a private, in room-barbecue for guests, accompanied by a personal chef and sommelier.
A suite of pampering services is available at The St. Regis Bali Resort’s Remède Spa, set in a serene corner of the resort surrounded by Koi Carp pond. Featuring twelve treatment rooms, the spa offers both traditional treatments and modern Remède therapies to create the ultimate spa experience. The signature Lulur Experience of Indonesia includes gentle exfoliation with a paste of sandalwood, turmeric, ground nuts and rice. Other facilities include an Aqua Vitale Pool, for a full body underwater massage, two phenomenal spa suites and a yoga center.
For guests seeking an exclusive and romantic wedding destination, The St. Regis Bali Resort offers an exceptional wedding venue, unparalleled in setting and service. Located directly on the resort’s private beach, the Cloud Nine Chapel is both intimate and elegant, while the Cloud Nine honeymoon villa offers a majestic setting for an unforgettable wedding experience. An ideal choice for meetings on one of Asia’s leading resort islands, The St. Regis Bali Resort offers an exclusive beachfront location for social and corporate gatherings, featuring two boardrooms, and state-of-the-art meeting and function space.
Following in the tradition of the legendary St. Regis Hotel New York, The St. Regis Bali Resort will feature the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including the iconic St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to meet global travelers’ needs. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guests needs and customizing each guest’s stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences. The resort offers guests 12-hour and 24-hour personalized butler service, as well as separate butler quarters, complete with a private entrance, for each villa.
Source: www.realestatechannel.com
March 3rd, 2009
State Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik launched a Balinese Culture Study Center at the University of Udayana in Denpasar, Bali, on Saturday, Antara news agency has reported.
“The study center is expected to help study and collect the existing and developing positive aspects of Balinese culture,” the Minister said.
Minister Wacik said Balinese culture has a lot of potential which could be further developed to help boost creative industries in the local economy by empowering the local communities.
University rector I Made Bakta said the center was a program initiated by the Culture and Tourism ministry in cooperation with the National Development Planning Agency.
“The study center will issue research reports on Balinese culture that will help encourage creative cultural industry,” he said.
With the launching of the Balinese culture study center, there are now seven centers devoted to the study of local cultures at seven universities across Indonesia. (dre)
Source: The Jakarta Post
March 2nd, 2009
Bali (IANS): Only weeks after Islamic leaders conditionally ruled against yoga, the popular Indonesian tourist resort of Bali is hosting an international meet to popularise the ancient Indian form of body and mind workout.
An International Bali-India Yoga Festival starts here Tuesday and ends March 10 with participants set to pour in from many countries including India.
The gathering will seek to set up the first Yoga Association of Indonesia, the world’s most populous Islamic nation, said Somvir, an Indian academic here who heads the Bali-India Foundation and is one of the key festival organisers.
“The gathering is designed to teach people about yoga as a simple method for healthy living,” Somvir told IANS. “Our foundation is engaged in teaching yoga to doctors of Bali, in order to train them in alternative lifestyles based on yoga.
“In Indonesia today, more than 10 million people from different walks of life practice yoga. Yoga is also accepted by more and more people each day,” he added.
On Jan 26, Indonesia’s top Islamic body asked Muslims not to go yoga if it involved Hindu rituals as that could erode Muslim faith. But Muslims could do yoga as long as it was only for physical exercise and did not include chanting ‘mantras’ or meditation, it added.
That controversy will be discussed at the yoga meet, Somvir said.
“Scholars from the Islamic State University of Jakarta will take part in the meeting to discuss Islam and yoga,” he said. “The controversy over the practice of yoga by Muslims will be discussed at the festival.”
Somvir, who has lived in Bali for long years, said that although yoga was universally known, some people confused it with Hindu religion due to lack of knowledge.
“This practice is what Islamic people have opposed. Therefore, this is an important time to discuss various issues related to yoga. This festival will provide answers to all related yoga concerns,” said Somvir.
Besides mass yoga practice and a national yoga competition, the festival will see seminars and the links between yoga and beauty as well as health.
There will be discussions on yoga and spiritualism, workshop on yoga and globalization and a yoga dance and fashion show. There will also be an exhibition of books on yoga.
The festival also aims to promote Bali as a destination for spiritual tourism and to strengthen relations between Bali and India.
“There has not been sufficient promotion of Bali as a tourist destination for Indians,” Somvir said. “This event will introduce Bali as a second major spiritual tourist destination after India.”
“Bali is famous for scenic beauty and surrounded by the sea. It will soon become a major destination for yoga lovers,” said Somvir, who is chairman of the festival.
Visit Healthwatch: The Hindu’s wellness blog
Source: www.hindu.com/
March 2nd, 2009
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