Breaking News-BTDC Investing in Lombok

Indonesian Lawmakers Make Funds Available to Keep 1,175 Hectare Tourism Development in South Lombok on Track.


(2/21/2009) The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) have approved a grant of Rp. 297 billion (US$25.2 million) for the PT Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) in connection with their ongoing joint venture in Lombok with the Timur Tengah Emaar Properties LLC.

As reported by Bisnis.com, the value of the DPR's grant represents the variance between the fair market value and the book value of the 1,175 hectare parcel of land held by PT BDTC in the Regency of Lombok Tengah. The land represents the 15% participation of PT BTDC in its joint venture with Emaar Properties.

The land parcel was once owned by the Lombok Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) and held under receivership by the PT Perusahaan Pegelola Aset (PPA). Indonesia's Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani, stated that the fair market value of the land is Rp. 557.6 billion (US$47.25 million) while the asset value acceptable to the investor is the book value of Rp. 260 billion (US$22 million).

According to the Finance Minister speaking before Commission XI of the DPR: "The variance of Rp. 297.6 billion is being called a 'grant.' This is necessary because any amount in excess of Rp. 100 billion can only be expended with the approval of the DPR (House of Representatives)."

Sri Mulyani told the press that the provision of the grant as an incentive to cover the value variance forms a part of the government's policy to attract foreign investors to Nusa Tenggara Barat. "The grant is an incentive given by the government in the form of a discount on the value of the land," explained Sri Mulyani, adding that she hoped the Emaar Properties project would bring other investment linkages which would allow the Lombok project to go ahead.

PT BDTC is a government-owned company that operate the Nusa Dua Complex in South Bali. (http://balidiscovery.com)

Breaking News-From Bali to Bombay with Love

Bali Update Editor Delivers a Letter from Bali's Governor to the People of Mumbai, India.
(2/21/2009) On Saturday, February 21, 2009, Bali Update's Editor, John Daniels, was honored to be invited to address a large group of India's tourism leaders on the subject of "Revival and Recovery of a Destination." Daniels' comments, drawing on Bali's experience and practical lessons drawn over the course of two terrorist attacks on Bali in 2002 and 2005, were delivered at Mumbai's historic Taj Mahal Palace & Tower - the target of a vicious attack less than three months before on November 26, 2008.

From Bali to Bombay with Love

A highlight of Daniels' one-hour presentation was the reading of a letter from Bali's governor, Made Mangku Pastika, addressed to the people of Mumbai via their Secretary of Tourism, Sujit Banerjee.

Governor Pastika, prior to his election as Bali's Chief Executive, played a pivotal role in capturing the perpetrators of the Bali bombing attacks and bringing them to justice. His decisive leadership and exemplary role in these events also earned him the selection of TIME Magazine (Asia's) "Man of the Year in 2003.

Here is the text of Governor Pastika's letter carried to the people of Mumbai:

Om Swastiastu

I have asked John Daniels, a member of Bali's tourism industry, to carry this letter with him to Mumbai in connection with his presentation on "Revival and Recovery of a Destination" before the Pacific Asia Travel Association, India Chapter.

The cultural and historical connections shared by the people of Bali and India are both extensive and intensive. We cook with many of the same spices. Familiar words and concepts can be found in our languages. The rich textile traditions of Bali – from batik to grinsing- find their roots in ancient India. Our folk tales and dance are based on epic Indian tales drawn from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. And, most basically, the deeply held Hindu religious beliefs of my fellow Balinese demonstrate that our people share a closely connected view of the world and the universe.

Because of these many connections between our two great peoples, the tragic events that unfolded on November 26, 2008, in Mumbai casued profound concern among the people of Bali. The core teaching of Bali Hinduism is the scripture is Tat Tvam Asi - "Thou art that," "That thou art" or "You are that." The terrible loss and pain experienced by the people of Mumbai last November struck at the very heart of your brothers and sisters who live on our Indonesian island.

Our empathy for your situation was made all the more poignant by the shared experience of terrorism. In October of 2002 and 2005, Bali suffered two separate terror attacks.

Those who foment acts of terror seek, at the most basic level, to sow seeds of dissent; driving wedges between different segments of society. Those differences, if allowed to develop and mature, will turn people against each other and deliver a final victory sought by the evil perpetrators of terror. We, as the victims of terrorism, must decide whether we will allow ourselves to fall prey to those who seek to divide and conquer us or if we emerge from the experience strengthened in our commitment to brotherhood and peace.

Please accept my humble prayers for peace and your continued strength and prosperity which I extend on behalf of the People of Bali to the people of Mumbai. Your grief is our grief; your joys are our joys.

Like Bali, the richness of Mumbai's history and culture are indestructible and guarantee a speedy return as a leading world tourism destination.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om

signed

Made Mangku Pastika

Governor – Province of Bali, Indonesia (http://balidiscovery.com)

Breaking News-Bali to Become the Destination of Yesterday?

Bali Tourism Leader Warn that Island Tourism Under Threat from Much More than the 'Just' the Global Financial Crisis.

(2/21/2009) A seminar on "The Existence and Prospects of Bali's Tourism Industry in the Midst of a World Financial Crisis" held on Monday, February 16, 2009, issued the warning that tourism on the island is also facing threats from environmental degradation, uncontrolled development and an over-supply of accommodation.

Speakers at the conference, held at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport, included Gde Nurjaya, the Chief of the Bali Tourism Authority (BTA); Chairman of the Bali branch of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agents (ASITA), Al Purwa; the General Manager of the airport's management company, Perum Angkasa Pura I, (PAP1)Heru Legowo; and moderator Alex Pudjonto.

Gde Nurjaya told the audience that despite being haunted by the current financial crisis, Bali still has great tourism potential because of its unique comparative advantage when compared with competing destinations. To support his case for Bali's cultural and natural drawing power, Nurjaya pointed to growing arrival numbers over the past several years and the 2008 foreign visitor totals of 1,968,892.

At the same time, Nurjaya urged the public not be become complacent with their current success, suggesting there exist a number of internal problems threatening the island's future potential. Chief among these problems he cited were environmental damage, uncontrolled development and the varying vision for Bali tourism championed by the various regencies of Bali and the provincial government.

Sounding a similar message, Al Purwa of ASITA said that Bali's tourism policymakers do not speak with a single voice. Municipal and regency governments remains solely focused on how to increase their tax revenues, while the provincial island-wide administration stands alone in calling for management of the island's environment. Purwa said that in terms of investing in Bali's tourism what is permissible and what is not, is never clear.

Purwa, one of Bali's senior tourism managers, also warned that Bali is plagued by poor skills among local tourism workers, an insufficient tourism infrastructure, growing pollution, security concerns and capacity issues. Purwa said that anyone who takes the time to read guest comment forms from local hotels, mass media and other sources will encounter all these complaints. "If this is not urgently addressed, after five years Bali will become the 'destination of yesterday,' said Purwa.

As the manager of Bali's gateway, Heru Legowo acknowledged the strategic position of the Ngurah Rai International Airport. He told the seminar's participants that the PAP I is working to continually improve their services to the public, together with all the other stakeholders found at the airport.

Legowo said: "In a symbolic sense, our commitment is embodied in the '3S + 1C' formula of safety, security, service and compliance . This not only comes from PAP I, but from all elements found at the airport: airport administrations, immigration, customs, quarantine, airlines, police, security, porters, cleaning service personnel and others. All must share the same vision to make the Ngurah Rai Airport 3S = 1C." (http://balidiscovery.com)

Breaking News-Bali Earns its Stripes

Bali Zoo Welcomes the Birth of Two Rare White Bengal Tigers.


(2/21/2009) The Bali Zoo in Gianyar reports the happy news of the birth of two rare white Bengal tigers on February 18, 2009.

The Mother and Father of the two white tigers, respectively Kartini and Buntung, had failed in an earlier attempt at parenthood when Kartini spontaneously aborted.

Assisting at the birth was the zoo's answer to Dr. Doolittle, Veterinarian Dr. Dewa Atmaja, who told Nusa Bali: "The current condition of the two baby white tigers is fine, stabile and very encouraging. But, the sex of the babies is still a mystery as the Mother is being very protective of her new babies."

Kartini was acquired by the Bali Zoo in an animal exchange program with the Surabaya Zoo while Buntung comes from a similar exchange program with the Pematangsiantar Zoo in North Sumatra.

Conservationists estimate there are only 4,000 Bengal tigers still living in the wild, with the white Bengal tigers representing a genetic sub-grouping now found almost exclusively in zoos and private collections. The Bengal tigers are the second largest tiger species after the Siberian tigers endemic in regions of Siberia and China. (http://balidiscovery.com)

Breaking News-International Yoga Festival in Bali

Week Long Event Starting on March 3, 2009 Will be Centered in Renon Area of Denpasar.


(2/21/2009) Hundreds of international Yoga instructors will convene in Bali for a one week International Yoga Festival commencing March 3, 2009.

Quoted in Kompas.com, Dr. Somvir, the Chairman of the Bali-India Foundation said, "this international standard event is the natural outcome of 'yoga day' which has been intensively promoted over the past two years." He said that this year's event has adopted the theme of "Yoga for Peace and Health" with all activities being headquartered at the Monument for the People's Struggle in the Niti Mandala Section of Renon, Denpasar.

Yoga teachers from around the world will conduct yoga courses as a means of promoting personal health throughout the week-long event. These training sessions are open to the public without reference to their individual religious beliefs.

Somvir told the press that those who follow the yoga courses will be able to preserve their general health as well as seek cures for a number of illnesses. (http://balidiscovery.com)

Breaking News- Beach Erosion at Melia Bali – A Growing Concern

Hotel's Management Call for Urgent Action from Bali's Regional and Provincial Leaders.

(2/21/2009) Beach erosion and abrasion at Nusa Dua in front of the Melia Bali Hotel is becoming increasingly severe. Changing weather and water current patterns are eating away at the once pristine beachside locate on Bali's southernmost shore.

Sadly, efforts to halt the erosion through sandbagging and other means are proving largely ineffective.

As reported in Bali Post, the Director of Human Relations for the hotel, Gede Suarasa, accompanied by the Sol Melia's Public Relations Manager, Nova Terita, have called on the Badung regional government and the provincial government of Bali to urgently address the growing erosion problem that have the potential of disrupting the enjoyment of tourism visitors to Nusa Dua.

Nova Terita told the press, "the Melia Bali has repeatedly requested attention from the Badung regional government, but to date have received no response."

Suarasa, went on to explain that the Melia Bali has not sat still in confronting the erosion problem. Hundreds of millions of Rupiahs have been spent in supplementing sand along their beachfront. Adding: "We are ready to join efforts to prevent further erosion. We are now waiting for a certain firmness and definite steps from the regional government of Badung and provincial government of Bali."

Suarasa underlined the seriousness of the current abrasion and erosion of beachfront, warning that if all concerned allow the beach to be destroyed the natural attraction of the area for tourist visitors will be diminished. (http://balidiscovery.com)

Breaking News-Bali Officials: We'll be Dog Gone

Badung Regency Officials Vow to Eliminate 'All' Bali Street Dogs.

(2/21/2009) Bali officials told NusaBali that they are targeting the total elimination of wild street dogs in their current efforts to rid rabies from the Island.

There have been approximately 1,300 wild street dogs killed by officials since the confirmation of a rabies outbreak in late 2008. The Head of the Livestock, Fisheries and Oceans Service (Disnakanlut) for Badung, Made Badra, said: "We will continue to exterminate wild dogs until they are all eliminated. In other words, wild dogs in Badung must have a total population of 'zero.' We will only allow vaccinated dogs with owners to survive."

Badra said that the elimination of ownerless dogs and the vaccination of all pets, rabies will eventually be vanished from the Badung regency of Bali. He estimates that the number of "wild dogs" in Badung remain in the hundreds.

In the December-January period a total of 16.375 dogs received rabies vaccination. Starting in March these dogs will received the second booster, as part of a three-part inoculation program.

As reported by NusaBali, a leading virologist from the Veterinarian Faculty of Bali's Udayana University, Dr. IGN Mahardika, who is also a member of the rabies control team, has publicly questioned the efficacy of the current anti-rabies campaign. Mahardika has bemoaned the lack of cross-sector integration in the current drive with tourism circles, businesses and animal breeders being left out of the process. He has also criticized the lack of suitable mechanism for the transfer of assistance, know-how, equipment and funds to the grass-root level. Mahardika told the press that unfortunately controlling and combating rabies is still seen as the exclusive duty of the government. (http://balidiscovery.com)