Indonesia : International meetings boost tourist arrivals in Bali

Indonesia : International meetings boost tourist arrivals in Bali 

Many international conferences hosted in Bali have played an important role in the 9 percent boost to the growth rate of foreign visitors.

The Bali Tourism Agency recorded as many as 1,492,971 foreign tourists arriving from January to June this year, which shows a 9 percent growth on the figures for the same period last year.

Australia continues as the largest tourist contributor with 384,552 people, followed by China (187,709 people), Japan (96,013), Malaysia (93,200), Singapore (63,510), South Korea (60,929), Taiwan (58,265), the UK (51,843), the US (49,986) and France (46,496).

Head of Bali Tourism Agency, Ida BagusKadeSubhiksu, was delighted to see the early surge as of June, while peak visitor arrivals will occur in July and August.

Subhiksu cited a number of international events held in June, including an international triathlon, the World Hindu Summit, Indo Livestock Expo and Forum, Bali Surf Competition, Southeast Asia Travel and Tourism, and the East Asia Geology, Exploration and Technology Conference, just to name a few of the events that played an important role in boosting tourist arrivals.

“Bali has become globally known as an international destination. These international-scale activities also play a significant part in boosting arrivals,” said Subhiksu.

Subhiksu expressed his optimism that he would see an even higher surge in July, August and September, when the Miss World event will be hosted, followed by the APEC Summit in October, and other events.

Every year, hundreds of international- and national-scale meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions, also known by the abbreviation MICE, with hundreds and thousands of participants are hosted in Bali.

The number of MICE events is increasing, with the support of improved facilities and capacity. MICE events also encourage growth in businesses like hotels, hall rentals, exhibition and conference organizers, booth providers, stage builders, food suppliers, florists, transportation services, printing and souvenir companies.

Subhiksu said that Bali expected to be able to compete globally, which was why MICE facilities were being improved all the time, even to the construction of a new convention center in Nusa Dua with a capacity for thousands of participants.

Deputy Tourism and Creative Economy Minister SaptaNirwandar acknowledged that MICE tourism in Bali and Indonesia had grown significantly over past few years.

“Event organizers are always searching for the perfect places to host their occasions. Indonesia, and especially Bali, has had a good reputation for providing such places,” said Sapta, adding that Bali, and Indonesia in general, was eyeing the Asia Pacific as a potential market for MICE events.

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INDONESIA : BALI MULLING CONTROVERSIAL NEW TOURISM PROJECT

BALI MULLING CONTROVERSIAL 
NEW TOURISM PROJECT

Another gigantic tourism development plan is being pondered by Bali provincial administration, awaiting its approval.

The huge reclamation project at Benoa Bay would see development of luxury tourist facilities, including a Disneyland-like theme park, apartments, hotels, villas and entertainment centers.

The investor, PT Tirta Wahana Bali International, which also manages Discovery Shopping Mall and Discovery Hotel in Kuta, plans to reclaim 400 to 600 hectares of land at Benoa Bay.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika told journalists Saturday that he was studying the proposal and had not made any decision on whether to accept or reject the proposal.

“We will comprehensively study the planned development project in detail. People should not immediately have a negative response to any development plan before knowing about it thoroughly,” Pastika said.

“If I find that the project would give us positive output, why should we refuse it?” the governor said, adding that he would of course reject the plan if it would damage the environment and the people.

Previously, the Udayana University’s Environmental Study Center had conducted a feasibility study on the proposed project.

The study revealed that the planned development project “could be implemented.” The 73-page feasibility study revealed the plan to reclaim the western part of Tanjung Benoa and areas near Benoa Harbor.

The investor intends to build facilities on 50 percent of the reclaimed land and leave the remaining area as a green zone. The planned reclaimed area would be accessible through the new Nusa Dua-Tanjung Benoa toll road.

The feasibility study covered technical, environmental and sociocultural aspects. Viewed from the technical side, the reclamation project is claiming to reduce the impact of tsunamis, erosion and abrasion. It would also reduce traffic congestion in the southern part of the island.

From an environmental point of view, the study found that the reclamation of Tanjung Benoa could be conducted without damaging the coastal ecosystem. In fact, it could repair the environmental quality in the surrounding areas, the study stated.

“Rather than adding to land conversion, turning agricultural sites into industrial and business complexes, it would be better if we used reclamation, such as in Singapore and Hong Kong,” the governor added.

However, Pastika said he would establish a team comprising academics and community leaders to decide whether the reclamation and development projects were viable.

Wayan Suardana, chairman of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) Bali, said that he was confused with the result of the feasibility study conducted by the team from Udayana University.

“How can they say that the reclamation will reduce the impact of tsunamis and improve the environmental quality in Tanjung Benoa. We have the very bad example of Serangan reclamation, which already damaged the environment.”

The reclamation of Serangan Island worsened the environmental condition due to the accumulation of pollutants and sediment. “We strongly reject that idea of reclaiming at Tanjung Benoa.”

Resource from:

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/07/01/bali-mulling-controversial-new-tourism-project.html

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Vietnam : Relationship with Indonesia raised to the level of strategic partnership

Vietnam : Relationship with Indonesia raised to 

the level of strategic partnership 

Vietnam and Indonesia have issued a joint statement during President Truong Tan Sang's official visit to Indonesia on June 27-28, agreeing to elevate the long-standing bilateral relationship to a new height.

Following is the full text of the joint statement:

"At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, H.E. Truong Tan Sang and his wife paid a State visit to the Republic of Indonesia on June 27 – 28, 2013.

During the visit, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President Truong Tan Sang held talks in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. The two leaders exchanged views and highly valued the traditional relations of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia that have been well maintained and developed with remarkable achievements, serving the well-being of the two nations, especially since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955.

The two leaders were committed to elevating the long-standing bilateral relationship to a new height and decided to establish the Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia built upon the basis of the Declaration between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Indonesia on the Framework of Friendly and Comprehensive Partnership entering the 21 st century (2003) and the Indonesia - Vietnam Plan of Action in the period of 2012 - 2015 (2011).

The Strategic Partnership shall also conform to the principles of the UN and ASEAN Charters, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and other universally recognised norms of international law.

In light of the Strategic Partnership, the two leaders agreed to intensify the exchange of high-level visits and to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields. Both leaders tasked the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with relevant Ministries, to formulate Plans of Action for the Strategic Partnership that provides ways and means to ensure the concrete and effective implementation of the Strategic Partnership. The two leaders also stressed the importance for both countries to periodically review the implementation of the Strategic Partnership through bilateral cooperation mechanisms, namely the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation and the Joint Commission on Economics, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.

On defense and security cooperation, the two leaders supported further effective implementation of the MOU on Promotion of Cooperation of Defence Officials and Related Activities (2010), the Agreement on Cooperation of Criminal Combating and Prevention (2005) and the Terms of Reference on Navy to Navy Talks (2012), particularly in promoting capacity building and exchange personnel. The two leaders also encouraged the enhancement of cooperation in national defense industry and non-traditional security fields.

On trade, the two leaders appreciated the steadily growing two-way trade and were committed to pushing forward the progressive, balanced and sustainable two-way trade cooperation. The two leaders were optimistic that the target of 5 billion USD in trade volume could be surpassed before 2015 and agreed to set a new target of 10 billion USD in trade volume by 2018.

The two leaders shared a positive assessment on the growing investment cooperation and were committed to continue promoting a more attractive and favourable environment for greater investment and trade. The President of Indonesia expressed his hope for the continued support and assistance of the Vietnamese Government for the increasing economic presence of Indonesia in Vietnam.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation aiming at achieving sustainable food and energy security through trade, investment and joint research and development. On food security, the two leaders welcomed the extension of the MoU on Rice Trade to 2017 and agreed to strengthen cooperation in food production and quality control as well as stock management. On energy security, the two leaders encouraged business community of the two countries to actively explore energy and mineral resources cooperation, including on developing eco-friendly mining industry, coal and minerals trade, electricity generation as well as new and renewable energy.

The two leaders observed the progress in the fisheries and aquaculture cooperation and emphasized the need for both countries to further implement the MoU on Marine and Fisheries Cooperation (2010) to further tap the high potentials of cooperation in this area and to address illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, including on the arrangement for returning fishermen caught or arrested due to (IUU) fishing.

The two leaders directed the technical team to expedite their discussion for the early conclusion on delimitation of the exclusive economic zone and, without prejudice to the final settlement of maritime boundary delimitation, encouraged both sides to find a temporary solution to facilitate cooperation in marine and fisheries affairs.

The two leaders were determined to continue to strengthen people to people links by enhancing cooperation in the fields of education, culture and tourism. In this regard, the two leaders agreed to revitalize the MoU on Education Cooperation (2005), promote closer cooperation in developing eco-tourism and MICE industry as well as to strengthen cultural cooperation, including within the framework of Trail of Civilization.

The two leaders agreed to further intensify the work of ASEAN in realising an ASEAN community 2015 that is politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible to take advantage of current and future opportunity and effectively respond to regional and international challenges.

President of Truong Tan Sang reiterated his commitment to provide continuous active support during Indonesia's Chairmanship of APEC in 2013. While President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono assured Indonesia's full support to Vietnam in the latter's Chairmanship of APEC in 2017. President Yudhoyono also invited President Truong Tan Sang for the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Bali in October 2013.

On the East Sea, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of peace, stability, maritime security in the region and reaffirmed the collective commitments under the DOC to ensuring the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The two leaders expressed their full support for the ASEAN's six-point Principles on the East Sea and welcomed the commencement of the discussion on the COC between ASEAN and China and looked forward to the continuation of discussions on the COC towards to the early conclusion of a Regional Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

Upon conclusion of the bilateral meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of the agreements, namely the Agreement on Extradition, Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal, and the Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Commodities Cooperation. On the sidelines of the State visit, the Memorandum of Understanding on Energy and Mineral Resources Cooperation, the Memorandum of Understanding on Financial Cooperation, and the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Vietnam and Indonesia were also signed. The two leaders instructed the relevant Ministries of the two countries to actively implement these documents.

President Truong Tan Sang and his wife expressed their gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife accepted the kind invitation by President Truong Tan Sang to visit Vietnam at a mutually convenient time."

Resource from:

http://vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/241401/vn-indonesia-joint-statement-stresses-ties-increase.html

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Indonesia : Bali named national tourism pilot project

Indonesia : Bali named national tourism pilot project

The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry has designated Bali as a pilot project for the development of national strategic tourism planning (KSPN), which started early in June.

KSPN will cover a tourist area in which all elements and components of tourism have certain characteristics, including natural and cultural conditions.

The central government has named 88 KSPNs across the country to be developed until 2025.

Sixteen of the 88 KSPN have been named top priorities, including three destinations in Bali; Kintamani resort and Lake Batur in Bangli regency; Pemuteran and Menjangan Island in Buleleng regency; and Kuta Sanur Nusa Dua, which lie in Badung regency and Denpasar mayoralty. 

The remaining 13 destinations are Seribu Islands in Jakarta; Old Town and Sunda Kelapa, Lake Toba in North Sumatra; Borobudur Temple and surroundings in Central Java; Bromo-Tengger and Semeru in East Java; Mount Rinjani in West Nusa Tenggara; Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara; Ende-Kelimutu in East Nusa Tenggara; Tanjung Puting in Central Kalimantan; Bunaken in North Sulawesi; Wakatobi in Central Sulawesi; Toraja in South Sulawesi and Raja Ampat in West Papua.

According to the ministry’s director of tourist destinations and investment, Lokot Ahmad Enda, the plan should have been implemented last year.

But it was postponed until June this year, Enda said. It will be initially implemented in the Kuta-Sanur-Nusa Dua area, which are already lucrative tourist destinations.

“Kuta-Sanur-Nusa Dua will become an exemplary tourism designated area for other sites in Indonesia,” he explained.

Enda further said that the designation of Bali as a pilot project was based on several considerations.

First, Bali was already an international tourist destination with adequate facilities and supporting regulations to oversee tourism on the island.

“In Bali, we want to show an integrated tourist industry that involves all community members, administrations, the private sector and other parties. The pilot project is expected to become a collaboration of all stake holders in developing and managing a tourist site,” he explained.

KSPN, Enda added, is part of the bigger plan of the National Tourism Development Plan, which covers the development of tourist destinations, tourist attractions, accessibility, public facilities, basic infrastructure and community involvement.

Meanwhile, Bali Tourism office head Ida Bagus Kade Subhiksu said the KSPN was implemented by the central government through the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry.

Bali has 16 main official tourist destinations, namely Nuda Dua, Kuta, Tuban, Sanur, Ubud, Lebih, Soka, Kalibukbuk, Batuampar, Candikusuma, Perancak, Nusa Penida, Candi Dasa, Ujung, Tulamben and Air Sanih.

The provincial administration has also named five other specific tourist sites: Gilimanuk and Palasari village in Jembrana, Tanah Lot in Tabanan, Pancasari in Buleleng and Kintamani in Bangli.

“In short, KSPN is an effort to unite several tourist spots into one larger area. KSPN is meant to create a blue print for a tourism development plan at a particular tourist site,” Subhiksu said.

University of Udayana’s Consortium of Tourism Research and Study chairman Agung Suryawan Wiranatha said the university was included in the implementation of KSPN in Bali.

The university is currently collecting data and information and analyzing each area’s potential and challenges.

Resource from:

by  WASTI ATMODJO ON 2013-06-28

http://www.thejakartapost.com/bali-daily/2013-06-28/bali-named-national-tourism-pilot-project.html

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