TIME 2010 – Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) or Pasar Wisata Indonesia in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara 12 – 15 October 2010

September 4th, 2010

For the second year running, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara will host Indonesia’s annual travel mart Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) or Pasar Wisata Indonesia between 12 – 15 October 2010 at Santosa Villas & Resort Lombok. Now in its 16th year, TIME is organized by the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (ITPB) and supported by the entire tourism industry in Indonesia.
The Chairwoman and Steering Committee of TIME 2010, Mrs Meity Robot, said TIME also supports the government program of “Visit Indonesia Year” by promoting Indonesia in the international market and at the same time raises the country’s image.
“TIME is the only international travel mart in Indonesia with a business to business concept. The event is a meeting place for those who sell tourism products and services in Indonesia (seller) to international market (buyer). TIME 2010 will present all tourist destinations, including popular travel destinations, tourism objects, new product development,” Mrs Meity continued.
“The shifting of TIME to Lombok for two consecutive years, i.e. 2009 and this year, is aimed at promoting Lombok and West Nusa Tenggara to the international market and speeding up the development and improvement of infrastructure, tourism facilities and tourism attractions in the region, so that at the end the destination could establish itself as one of global travel destinations. Moreover, with the completion of new international airport expected to be ready this year, it will attract more tourist arrivals to the island and speed up the improvement of infrastructure and encourage more investors to the region to develop new hotels as well as tourism attractions,” Mrs Meity added.
This year’s TIME is expected to be a launch-pad for an international promotional effort for “Visit Lombok Sumbawa 2012″.

Lombok is located just east of Bali. Only 20 minutes by flight from Bali, the island has broad range of cultural and natural attractions, and nearly 3,500 hotel rooms of international standard. It has direct flights from Singapore by Silk Air, and from Kuala Lumpur via Surabaya by Merpati Nusantara, as well as frequent flights from Jakarta by Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air, and from Denpasar by Merpati Nusantara.
Last year, TIME 2009 attracted 127 Buyers from 25 countries, with top six buyers being from Korea, India, Malaysia,
Indonesia, USA, and the Netherlands. They met with 250 Sellers from 97 Indonesian companies occupying 84 booths. Sellers came from 15 provinces dominated by West Nusa Tenggara, Jakarta, Bali, Central Java, and East Kalimantan.
TIME 2010 is supported by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism, the Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara Culture & Tourism Office, Lombok Sumbawa Promo, Garuda Indonesia as Official Airlines, other supporting airlines, Indonesia National Air Carriers Association (INACA), Board of Airline Representatives Indonesia (BARINDO), Association of Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA), Indonesia Hotels and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Indonesian Conference and Convention Association (INCCA), Pacto Convex as the event organizer, supported by national and international media.

For further information, please contact: TIME 2010, c/o Pacto Convex Ltd. Tel: (62-21) 570 5800 Ext. 432 or 571 9973 (direct) Fax: (62-21) 570 5798. Email: ika_nazar@cbn.net.id. Website: www.pasarwisata.com

Harris Resort in Kuta Bali showcases Thibault Gregoire through a Photo Exhibition

August 11th, 2010

By: Jeffrey Wibisono V.

Harris Resort Kuta Bali from 01 August 2010 presents photo exhibition by Thibault Gregoire a Belgian journalist at Harris Café of the resort.
Titled One Day in Jakarta, the photos attempt to tell a story about people’s life in Jakarta from the early hours until dawn. The photos illustrate many faces of  its dark and fascinating side.

As a journalist, Mr. Gregoire worked for ten years in various NGOs and international institutions. Since photography has always been a passion to him, hence the documentary of them become very important.  It is notably during various reportages in Africa and the Caribbean that photography became as important as write up to him.

Peraturan Daerah Usaha Jasa Perjalanan Wisata (UJPW) Bersihkan Bali dari usaha illegal dan memberikan rasa aman juga nyaman kepada wisatawan

August 4th, 2010

By Jeffrey Wibisono V.

DPD ASITA Bali menyelenggarakan sosialisasi Perda Bali No. 1 Tahun 2010 tentang UJPW yang disahkan pada 27 April 2010 lalu.  Perda ini masih sejalan dengan kaidah KepMen Parpostel No 10 tentang Pariwisata dan Kepastian Hukum; yang didalamnya mengharuskan setiap usaha mendaftarkan usahanya sedangkan detail sanksi hukum diterapkan melalui Peraturan Daerah.

Sosialisasi ini bertempat di Hotel Mercure Sanur, dihadiri oleh 183 anggota ASITA Bali, asosiasi pariwisata dan dinas pemerintahan terkait. Tiga (3) narasumber didampingi seorang moderator memaparkan secara teknis pemberlakuan Perda Bali No. 1 Tahun 2010 ini dengan batas waktu masing masing 15 menit. Mereka adalah wakil dari Kadisparda Bali, Kepala Biro Hukum Pemprov Bali dan Kepala Kantor Pelayanan Perijinan Terpadu (KPPT).

Pada intinya Pemprov Bali dan Asita berharap Bali dengan pariwisata unggulannya yaitu pariwisata budaya menjadi bersih dari usaha usaha tak beretika dan illegal. Dengan demikian UJPW sanggup memberikan pelayanan terbaik kepada wisatawan untuk mencapai ke tingkat rasa aman dan nyaman dengan adanya payung berkekuatan hukum dengan segala ketegasan konsekuensi sebagai badan hukum.

Di Bali saat ini beroperasi 347 Biro Perjalanan Wisata (BPW) anggota Asita dan sebanyak 147 perusahaan berijin BPW bukan anggota Asita Bali serta ratusan usaha tanpa perijinan yang jelas. Dengan diberlakukannya Perda Bali No. 1 Tahun 2010 tentang UJPW, maka BPW dari luar daerah Bali ataupun dari luar negeri yang akan menyelenggarakan kegiatan di Bali wajib tunduk pada ketentuan Perda UJPW dengan ancaman sanksi administrative berupa peringatan sampai penghentian kegiatan.

Selain hal tersebut, anggota Asita maupun masyarakat usaha juga perlu memahami hal-hal antara lain kewajiban melaporkan kegiatan usaha setiap 6 bulan, mangkir 4 kali laporan secara berturut-turut akan mendapatkan sanksi pencabutan tanda daftar usaha (TDU). Kewajiban mempergunakan atau bekerjasama dengan komponen usaha jasa pariwisata yang memiliki ijin atau sudah terdaftar sesuai UU No. 10 tahun 2009; termasuk didalamnya menggunakan jasa pramuwisata, transportaasi, akomodasi, atraksi wisata dan unit jasa pendukung lainnya. Pengusaha juga harus paham hal sanksi jika dilakukan pelanggaran.

Melalui sosialisasi Perda UJPW ini, anggota Asita juga diharapkan dapat memahami dengan baik persoalan larangan memindah-tangankan TDU tanpa ijin Gubernur. Termasuk didalamnya hal membebankan biaya tour kepada pramuwisata, dengan sanksi pencabutan TDU, penutupan tempat usaha dan sanksi pidana. Menyampaikan laporan dan informasi kepada dinas pariwisata (secara langsung atau melalui Asita) perihal BPW yang beroperasi tanda memiliki TDU.

Bagi usaha pariwisata lainnya diluar BPW, selayaknya memahami bahwa perorangan atu badan usaha termasuk hotel dan villa yang tidak memiliki tanda daftar usaha atau tidak terdaftar sebagai UJPW dilarang melakukan kegiatan UJPW baik yang dilakukan secara konvensional maupun melalui internet. Jika dilakukan tanpa mengindahkan Perda UJPW ini, perusahaan bersangkutan dikenakan sanksi hukum dengan ancaman pidana paling lama 6 bulan kurungan dan/atau denda sekurang-kurangnya 30 juta rupiah dan sebanyak-banyaknya 50 juta rupiah.

Berdasarkan ketentuan ketentuan yang dipaparkan dalam pasal per pasal Perda No. 1 tahun 2010 tentang UJPW ini,
tegasnya hotel dan villa tidak diperbolehkan membuat kontrak dengan BPW yang tidak memiliki TDU. Demikian pula tidak diperbolehkan membuat kontrak dengan BPW luar daerah maupun luar negeri secara langsung melainkan harus melalui BPW, CBPW dan APW di Bali. Selain itu juga tidak diperbolehkan menawarkan dan/atau menjual jasa kegiatan wisata kepada tamu hotel atau transfer in/out. Resiko terkena sanksi hukum termasuk adalah apabila mengijinkan dan/atau bekerjasama dengan perorangan atau badan usaha dalam menjual jasa kegiatan usaha kepada tamu hotel kecuali badan usaha yang telah memiliki TDU dan telah bergabung dengan asosiasi UJPW yang ada dalam hal ini Asita.

Bagi BPW dalam hal daftar ulang usaha dilakukan setiap 5 tahun, Pada tahap awal pelaksanaan Perda No. 1 tahun 2010 ini pengusaha UJPW diharapkan segera melakukan penyesuaian ijin usahanya ke KPPT selambat-lambatnya tanggal 27 April 2011. Persyaratan untuk perpanjangan/pendaftaran ijin usaha yaitu
•    Surat Rekomendasi Asita,
•    ijin usaha BPW atau ijin usaha tetap dari BKPM,
•    Akte pendirian dan perubahan perubahan  serta SK pengesahan DEPKUMHAM,
•    SITU/HO yang masih berlaku,
•    NPWP
•    Tanda Daftar Perusahaan
•    Struktur Organisasi Perusahaan
•    Daftar Riwayat Hidup Direktur
•    KTP Direktur dan seluruh pemegang saham
•    Alamat lengkap dan denah lokasi kantor
•    Data terkini untuk nomer telepon, facsimile dan email

Kewajiban pengusaha yang juga termaktub dalam Perda No. 1 tahun 2010 ini adalah kewajiban peerusahaan memberikan perlindungan kepada tenaga kerja tetap dan tenaga kerja lepas yaitu jaminan keselamatan dan kesehatan kerja kepada pramuwisata selama yang bersangkutan melaksanakan tugasnya yaitu berupa asuransi.

Sanuka Leisure Management Bali launches a package of Yoga Nature Healing Moment

July 31st, 2010

Sanuka, a Bali based inbound tour operator launches its new product for Yoga lovers very recently. The package is valid from 01 August 2010 and targeting America and Middle East markets as the first promotion market place.

The General Manager of  Sanuka Leisure Management , Jeffrey Wibisono   signs a working collaboration with numbers of Yoga places such as Jiwa Yoga Studio in Seminyak Bali for the hot flow and some other rural destination such as Munduk Village for the spiritual Hatha Yoga, Pemuteran Village in North Bali and Ashram Landih in Landih Village Bangli.

The package price starts from US$ 715 net per person for nine (9) nights stay of minimum two (2) persons using lead in hotels and resorts named Adhi Jaya Hotel in Tuban, Taman Puri Villa in Munduk Village and Goodway Hotel in Nusa Dua. The overall stay is a roundtrip tours to experience the nature of the island, Bali.

Landih Ashram, a perfect village life experience

July 24th, 2010

Landih Ashram  officially opens to public last October 2009. Ashram , in fact, is the place to learn about religion,however in some places in Bali, ashram also could be a popular vacation spot. So do the Ashram Landih not only for spiritual purposes, meditation and yoga, but also for work and leisure.

A unique resort with the concept of rural area, built on three hectares land containing semi-permanent buildings made of bamboo and named  Landih Ashram. Landih Ashram located in the Village , Kintamani District Landih, located about 15 km north of the town of Bangli . cold temperatures , ranging from tens of degrees with a light mist.

This resort is a mountain natural tourist destination with the concept of community empowerment base. In this ashram there are some rooms or villas with a unique architecture design. Each of these villas or cottages have their own names such as Bale Bundar, Bale Tumpang and Bale Landep . Bale with 2-3 rooms. In addition there are eight standard rooms in the complex. In total there are 18 rooms in the Ashram Landih plus one dormitory that can accommodate until 35 people sharing at once . In addition there are also some other bale that can be used for meditation or a meeting while enjoying the cool weather and a white mist rolling around this bale. To bring in the childhood time, there is one tree-house with its width approximately 3 × 3  square feet stuck in a tree about two meters tall. The building is located on the east side of the ashram . There is also a place for a bonfire, complete with wood chairs around to warm the night.

Meals other than breakfast such as lunch and dinner can be provided according to the pre-order, especially vegetarian and organic . Everything is prepared from the old Balinese kitchen that use fire comes from the waste of wood twigs from nature.

The resort is also used for many recreation activities such as Yoga, complete with a meditation hall for 200 persons, yoga trainers, lodging, jogging tracks as well there is  an outbound activities complete with its camping ground in the complex of this Landih Ashram.

The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. We could look out, far into the valleys below the resort. The mountain breeze also adds the surrounding into chill, serene and peaceful. Trees and shrubs create the greenery. Farther on the North West we are able to see Mount Batur that forms the ups and downs of a graph . On the East we could see the summit of Mount Agung , Bali’s highest mountain .

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali Welcomes New Indian Chef De Cuisine Mohan Singh Rawat

July 22nd, 2010

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua proudly welcomes the latest addition to its team; Indian Chef De Cuisine, Mohan Singh Rawat. With more than 9 years of hospitality experience across India as well as abroad, he joins The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali from The Aman New Delhi India and prior to that he was with The Westin Sohna Gurgon India.

Mohan brings with him a wealth of Indian culinary expertise to satisfy the appetites of discerning guests. Passionate about the relationship between food and culture, Mohan is keen to showcase a rich selection of Indian food at the Veranda Restaurant. He will also introduce some of his signature dishes to the Resort’s in-room dining menu.

“Indian cuisine is characterized by the abundant use of herbs, spices, vegetables and sometimes locally grown fruits. There is a wide practice of vegetarianism across many sections of Indian society. Every genre of Indian cuisine is identified by an assortment of unique dishes and cooking techniques. Consequently, the food differs from region to region, reflecting the varied demographics of the ethnically diverse Indian subcontinent. However, my culinary focus is the flavoursome cuisine from northern India,” commented Mohan.

“With years of experience working in New Delhi, which is renowned for its distinctive food delicacies, I must say my specialty is in northern cuisine including galouti kebab, dum ka murgh and nalli nihari. North Indian cuisine is distinguished by the proportionally high use of dairy products such as milk. A griddle is used to bake flat breads like roti, paratha, and kulcha while main courses including tandoori chicken are cooked slowly in a tandoor. The staple food of northern India is a nutritious combination of lentils, vegetables and roti (wheat based bread). But the varieties used and the method of preparation can vary from place to place,” he continues.

Mohan adds, “According to popular belief, Indian food and chillies go hand in hand. While this is not necessarily true all the time, there are some dishes that will definitely make you feel the heat! Here at The Westin, I plan to experiment without deviating too much from the authentic roots of traditional Indian cuisine to create healthier dishes that are still rich in flavour.” He is certainly no stranger to the healthy lifestyle concept that Westin has to offer.

So come and sample Mohan’s cuisine and get a taste of India!

W Retreat & Spa Bali,Indonesia Opening November 2010

July 22nd, 2010

The W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak is still under construction with schedule opening on November 2010 and start receiving reservation from 1st August 2010.

Located in Jalan Petitenget Seminyak, Bali this magical beachside retreat in one of Bali’s most opulent playgrounds, lush tropics and seductive seas.The  W Retreat & Spa Bali, where the everyday is an urban myth. Surrender to the indulgence, where peace and tranquility are the utopian reality. For some retail therapy the resort is within strolling distance to Bali’s hippest boutiques, eclectic galleries, restaurants and clubs.

Guest Rooms
The beach beckons beyond W’s signature sleek designs. 237 guest rooms, suites and villas – including 48 Wonderful rooms, 104 Spectacular rooms, and for serious wow-factor there are 4 Marvelous Suites, 1 WOW Suite and 1 Extreme WOW Suite.
More space? Private pool? Indulge. The W Retreat & Spa Bali has 65 Fantastic 1 bedroom villas, 10 Marvelous 2 bedroom villas and 4 WOW 3 bedroom villas. The daily rate starts from US$ 450 for the lowest room type called Wonderful Retreats Garden View until the highest at US$ 2500 for the WOW 3 Bedroom Villa Retreat. Those rates are subject to 21% prevailing government tax and service charge.

Services And Amenities
It’s all laid on – 24-hour concierge service from Wheels, in-room dining, dry-cleaning and laundry services, SWEAT fitness center, landscaped tropical swimming pool, W the Store, and Wired, our 24-hour business center and library.  The sumptuous Away Spa will help you de-stress like never before. Plunge pools, floating and meditative chambers, experience suites, pedicure bar and more, to perform physical, mental and spiritual therapy and salon services for your every need.

Dining And Lounges
The decadent indulgences await your exploration, immersion, savoring, lingering, mingling, socializing, canoodling and celebrating.

Eat, drink, flirt and play at Woobar – 3 levels of fun in the sun or under the stars. Take in the rays or the dazzling sunset from top floor tanning and lounging area, listen to the international DJs spin some  cool tunes while sipping a sassy cocktail, or just relax pool-side.
W Lounge. Definitely not your average lobby. Share some gossip, catch up for a decadent afternoon tea or sip a cool beverage in Whispers bar, while chilling out and getting into island time, or retire to a secret space to watch the beautiful people stroll by.
The action heats up in Fire, a world class grill restaurant where food is ready at any time and you can feel the heat from its inter-active kitchen.
From succulent sushi, tantalizing teppanyaki, delectable dim sum and the best dishes of Bali – your taste-buds will delight in the authentic Pan-Asian cuisine in Starfish Bloo.

Kartika Airlines to expand regional network with 30 new aircraft

July 21st, 2010

INDONESIA’S Kartika Airlines has placed an order for 30 Sukhoi Superjet (SSJ) 100 aircraft worth US$951 million in an effort to expand its regional network. The airline expects the delivery in stages between 2012 and 2015.

Kartika Airlines CEO, Kim Johanes, said the new aircraft had the right size to serve point-to-point routes and support the airline’s regional route expansion, but did not indicate where it was planning to fly these aircraft to.

Source: 21 July 2010, TTGTravelHub.Net Daily News

Lion Air could be on the cusp of flying to Australia

July 21st, 2010

Indonesian carrier, PT Lion Air, is reportedly waiting for government approval to expand its international services to Australia.

According to a report in the Jakarta Post, a Lion Air spokesperson said the airline is expecting to commence flights to Australia early 2011, but are still waiting for governmental approval and to complete administrative requirements before deciding which aircraft will be used.

“We are still waiting for a destination that is available and feasible for us,” the spokesperson told Jakarta Post, adding that they expect local government approval to launch new routes will take time.

“It will be easy to serve Perth because Lion has aircraft suited to the route. However we will have to find new planes if Lion flies to Melbourne or Sydney.”

According to the Spokesperson, the airline’s plans to expand operations to Australia will take advantage of the growing travel market in the Asia Pacific region.

“The market has improved after it was hit hard by the global economic crisis last year,” the Lion Air spokesperson said, adding the airline was also eyeing other Asian destinations such as China, Thailand and India.

“I think China, Thailand and India are good markets for Lion Air. We can find airplanes to serve those countries,” he said.

Lion Air currently flies to Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Vietnam.

Source = e-Travel Blackboard: D.M 16 July 2010

Garuda To Promote Central Sulawesi’s Tourism Overseas

July 21st, 2010

National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia will promote Central Sulawesi’s tourism potentials in other countries through its “Garuda Holiday” program, a spokesman said. “Promotion of Central Sulawesi’s tourism potentials will soon be included in our ‘Garuda Holiday’ program,” Muhammad Yunus, manager of the airline’s Palu branch office, said here on Wednesday. He said Garuda had reopened its route to Palu not only to make Central Sulawesi more accessible by air but also to help the region attract more tourists.
Meanwhile, Yunus’s assistant, Erwin, said Garuda’s Jakarta-Makassar-Palu route which was reopened on July 1, 2010 would make it easier for foreign tourists, especially those from Europe, to come to Central Sulawesi because Garuda flights from Amsterdam to Jakarta usually arrives at 8 am while the Jakarta-Makassar-Palu flight departs at 12 noon and arrives in Palu at 5 pm local time.
“Thus European tourists flying on Garuda jetliners to Makassar and Palu will not need too much time at Soekarno-Hatta airport in Jakarta to take a connecting flight to Makassar or Palu,” Erwin said. Palu Avia Tour President Director Ari Wowor expressed optimism that the number of European tourists visiting Central Sulawesi would increase following the resumption of Garuda service to and from Palu.

Source: Palu, Central Sulawesi (ANTARA News)