Tourism future bright despite travel warning: Minister

Posted by Lambang Insiwarifianto Monday, November 17, 2008 0 comments for Hotel di Medan

The Minister of Tourism and Culture Jero Wacik expressed optimism Thursday that the future of Indonesia's tourism remained bright despite a number of countries issuing travel warnings following the recent execution of three terrorists.

"Tourism conditions in Indonesia remain stable, particularly in Bali," he said.

Several countries, including Australia -- one of the largest contributors to tourist numbers -- has warned its citizens against traveling to Indonesia following the execution of Amrozy, Ali Ghufron and Imam Samudra.

The three were convicted terrorists responsible for the 2002 bombings of two popular night spots in Kuta. The blasts killed 202 people, mainly foreigners, and injured hundreds of others.

Jero said there were fears the executions would destabilize the country's security, but counterterrorism forces had managed to maintain stability.

Jero said he was confident that the travel warnings would not significantly affect the flow of foreign travelers into Indonesia, and denied they had triggered cancellations and a reduction in visitor numbers.

"Please check those facts. From which countries did these cancellations occur? Based on the report I received, everything is still going well," he said.

A small decline in tourist numbers over a one or two day period was normal, he said, but those instances should not be used to measure the overall conditions.

Citing official data, Jero said the number of foreigners visiting Bali was still around 6,000 tourists per day, exceeding the average of 4,500 visitors.

"This year the average soared to 6,000 and even 6,400 tourists per day. These are very good numbers," he said. Jero said this proved Bali was still a very attractive destination for holiday-makers.

From January to August 2008, 1,298,046 foreign and domestic tourists visited Bali, a monthly increase of around 10% compared to the same period last year.

"We think the numbers will remain at a high level, or even increase," Jero said.

Indonesia's receives the most tourists from Japan, Australia, Russia and Malaysia.

Source : Jakartapost


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The Indonesian Travel Market - TIME 2008 in Makassar successfully concluded

Posted by Lambang Insiwarifianto Tuesday, November 11, 2008 0 comments for Hotel di Medan

MAKASSAR - The Indonesian annual travel mart, Tourism Indonesia Mart&Expo (TIME) or 'Pasar Wisata Indonesia' is concluded today with total attendance of 104 buyers from 21 countries. The top five buyers consisted of Malaysia, Korea, India and Indonesia, Singapore, and the Netherlands. TIME 2008 also attracted 108 sellers from 16 provinces of Indonesia, which mostly come from Jakarta, South Sulawesi, Bali, North Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, Yogyakarta and East Kalimantan, and Papua.

The percentage of sellers based on industry is hotel, resort and spa (75 percent), NTO (10 percent), tour operator/travel agent (7 percent), adventure/activity holiday (3 percent), airline (1.5 percent), and others (hotel management, tourism board, tourism organization and travel portal (8.5 percent).

The above was reported during the closing press conference of TIME 2008 by the organizing committee of TIME 2008. "Despite the current global financial crisis and EU ban to Indonesian airlines, TIME 2008 has booked an estimated transaction of US$15.2 million," said Meity Robot, chairperson of TIME 2008.

"The conduct of TIME 2008 in Makassar has proven successful as a result of good cooperation among the organizing committee and organizer of TIME 2008 together with the local committee, which comprises the provincial government of South Sulawesi, City of Makassar, and the entire tourism industry, as well as associations in South Sulawesi and Makassar," said Meity.

"We have heard some positive comments and constructive notes have been expressed by delegates of TIME 2008 saying that Makassar has grown significantly since the last TIME 2006 and has shown tremendous progress in featuring the city as a travel and MICE destination, with its newest international airport and convention center, as well as development of new hotels and tourism attractions," said Meity.

Buyers and international travel writers are given the opportunity to take part in the post-tour program to Toraja for 3 days and 2 nights.

The organizing committee of TIME has decided that next year's TIME will be held in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. At press time by West Nusa Tenggara yesterday, the provincial government of West Nusa Tenggara represented by the vice chairman of DPRD West Nusa Tenggara, in association with the Lombok and Sumbawa tourism board, stated that with full support from the provincial government of West Nusa Tenggara, together with the entire tourism industry and association, they are ready to host TIME 2009 and 2010 and will assure that the venue, as well as infrastructure, will be ready in time so that TIME in Lombok will be successful.

Lombok is only a 20-minute flight from Bali. The island possesses various tourism potentials, from nature (mountain, sea, and land) to culture and arts, which could attract an international market. Presently, Lombok has 3,000 hotel rooms with international standards. With the present development of hotels in Lombok, by 2009 Lombok will have around 3,500 hotel rooms.

In terms of accessibility, Lombok is flown from Singapore by Silk Air; from Malaysia by Merpati Nusantara; from Jakarta by Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Batavia Air; from Surabaya by Merpati Nusantara, Lion Air, Batavia Air, and Citylink; and from Bali by Merpati Nusantara, Trigana Air, and Indonesia Air Transport. Beginning December 2008, the island will have a direct flight from Perth, Australia. Moreover, Lombok is now developing its international airport.

"The shifting of TIME to Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara will be for two consecutive years - 2009 and 2010 - and is aimed at promoting Lombok and West Nusa Tenggara to the international market, as well as to foster the development of tourism facilities and improvement of infrastructure in the region so that at the end, the destination could enjoy itself as a global travel destination," Meity Robot concluded.

Last year, TIME 2006 in Makassar was attended by 110 buyers from 21 countries and 124 sellers from 20 provinces with a recorded transaction value of USD$15 million, whereas previously TIME 2005 in Yogyakarta was attended by 84 buyers from 23 countries and 128 sellers from 20 provinces with a transaction value of USD$13 million.

TIME 2008 is supported by the ministry of culture and tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, South Sulawesi provincial government, the city of Makassar, the South Sulawesi culture and tourism office, the Makassar culture and tourism office, Garuda Indonesia as the official carrier, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, INACA (Indonesia National Air Carriers Association), BARINDO (Board of Airline Representatives Indonesia), the embassies of Indonesia overseas, ASITA (Indonesian tour operators and travel agencies) South Sulawesi, PHRI (Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association) South Sulawesi and Makassar, the Indonesian Conference and Convention Association (INCCA), Pacto Convex as the event organizer, Indo Multi Media as the offical media partner, TTG Asia and Venue Magazine as supporting media partners, and Bulanmadu.com.

Tiara P.I. Hasibuan Project Leader Pacto Convex Ltd. Tel: (62-21) 570 5800 Ext. 214 Fax: (62-21) 570 5798 Email: tiara_hsb@cbn.net.id Website: www.pasarwisata.com


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Newly Appointed General Manager of the JW Marriott Medan

Posted by Lambang Insiwarifianto 0 comments for Hotel di Medan

The JW Marriott Medan Indonesia is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Masi as General Manager. In this position, he will have overall responsibility for overseeing the hotel's daily operation. Mr. Masi will ensure that every customers needs are met, and service delivery exceeds the customer's expectations. With over twenty three years of experience with the Marriott Hotels and Resorts brand, Mr. Masi brings vast knowledge and strong leadership skills to his new role. Having held senior positions in luxury hotels in Asia, Russia and the United States he has strong passion for details, exceeding expectations and talent development.

Mr. Masi joins the JW Marriott Medan from his most recent appointment as Resident manager at the JW Marriott Hong Kong. Throughout his career, he has served as General Manager of Marriott Hotels in San Francisco and Michigan and Florida in the United Stated of America. Through his 23 year career he has held key assignments in Rooms, Food and Beverage and Regional roles.

His unrivalled operational experience running top-tier five star hotels will also be drawn upon in the design and development of the new five star hotel JW Marriott Medan due for completion soon. Mr. Masi who was born in New Jersey, USA said: "This is an extremely exciting time to be joining The JW Marriott Medan. The current team brings a great philosophy of "Spirit to Serve the Customers, Associates, Ownership and the Community, along with the ongoing promise of a stunning new five star International hotel in the center of Medan.  This is a wonderful career opportunity to be part of a hotel that is making a major statement on the 5 star International hotel scene."

"I have experience of operating large hotels at the very top end of the international star rating as well as exclusive five-star destination hotels where cutting-edge cuisine and extraordinary high levels of service are required by corporate clients. I will be drawing on this to help ensure JW Marriott Medan remains at the very top of its game."

"Our success as a leading hotel is built on high levels of service, our location and mix of top tier accommodations, Grand Ballroom, Meeting Space, signature Restaurants include Jade Chinese Restaurant, Prime Steakhouse and Bar, Lobby Lounge, Marriott CafĂ© and Marriott Gourmet Deli, Quan Spa and  Health Club facilities.

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Indonesia-bound tourists ignore warnings

Posted by Lambang Insiwarifianto Monday, November 10, 2008 0 comments for Hotel di Medan
PEOPLE flying to Bali yesterday said they would not let the possibility of revenge attacks stop them from holidaying on the island.
 
 Despite the Federal Government advising people bound for Bali to reconsider their travel plans, passengers waiting to check in at Melbourne Airport for the 10.55am Garuda Airlines flight to Denpasar, Bali's capital, were philosophical about the possible dangers.
 
 "It made us quite anxious, but we're not going to let the bastards beat us," said Dot McGuiness, who was travelling with her husband, Barry, to a "gated resort". "The wills are up to date, though."
 
 Other travellers noted that although the Government had asked people to reconsider going to Bali, it had not raised its travel advisory to the next, and highest, level.
 
 "If the Government was really concerned, they would have upgraded the warning," said Pat Barber, who is staying with three friends near Kuta, the site of the 2002 bombings.
 
 "Look at other countries; I think the USA has actually downgraded its warning."
 
 The Federal Government said yesterday it had "credible information" terrorists could be planning attacks as revenge for the executions.
 
 "The executions could prompt a strong reaction from their supporters such as demonstrations, acts of violence and reprisal attacks," a travel advisory said.
 
 "You should exercise great care, particularly around locations that have a low level of protective security, including where Western tourists gather such as beaches, bars, malls and other venues associated with foreign interests."
 
 The Government referred specifically to young people holidaying in Bali for "schoolies" holidays in the next few weeks, advising them to "exercise heightened caution".
 
 The threat level remains the second highest of five, with the Government asking people to "reconsider your need to travel". The highest level is "do not travel".
 
 A spokesman for Garuda Airlines, Kerry Timms, said the prospect of the bombers' executions had not dampened people's willingness to travel to Bali.
 "(The execution) has been on the cards for some time, but there have been hardly any cancellations," he said.
 "Most people have already made a decision about the environment. Our loads outward bound have been really strong."
 Friends Sarah O'Connell and Vanessa Smith said they discussed cancelling their trip about two weeks ago, but decided they would take the risk.
 "Anything can happen wherever you go," Ms O'Connell said. "It could happen to you at Flinders Street station."
 "If it really was a big deal, the Government would have raised the travel warning."
 Surfer Daniel Shergold described his attitude to the possibility of a terrorist attack as "when your time's up, your time's up".
 Mr Shergold said he would be passing through Bali on his way to the nearby mainly Muslim island of Lombok.
 "I'd be more worried about someone there attacking me in the street with a machete than I would be about bombings," he said.
 "But I really don't think at this stage that anything's going to happen."
 
 Australian travel advisory aletts
 1. Be alert to your own security
 2. Exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety
 3. Exercise a high degree of caution
 4. Reconsider your need to travel - Indonesia, including Bali, is at this level
 5. Advised not to travel
 
 http://smartraveller.gov.au
 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/11/10/1226165429240.html

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Belitung Sumatra

Posted by Lambang Insiwarifianto Tuesday, November 04, 2008 0 comments for Hotel di Medan

Kuntarini Rahsilawati ,  Contributor ,  Belitung, Sumatra   |  Sun, 06/08/2008 10:06 AM  |  Travel

(JP/Kuntarini Rahsilawati)(JP/Kuntarini Rahsilawati)

We touched down in Belitung with a thud, followed by cheers.

I looked out the window of the plane, it was raining really hard. It didn't seem like the right time to be in Belitung.

Bangka Belitung is a province in southern Sumatra that comprises two main islands separated by a five-hour ferry ride, and a number of smaller islands.

We were waiting for friends to arrive from Bangka. They'd booked their tickets to Belitung through a travel agent in Jakarta who'd apparently thought Belitung and Bangka were the same place.

So, when they'd arrived in Bangka the night before and confidently asked for directions to our hotel, the locals told them there was no hotel called that in Bangka. My friends showed them the scrap of paper with the hotel's address on it, and the locals answered in unison, "Oh, it says here that the hotel is in Belitung, Pak -- this is Bangka! It's a five-hour ferry ride to Belitung." Oh yeah? Very good.

Andrea and Belitung

We'd developed a sudden craving for gangan or fish-head casserole, a Tanjung Tinggi speciality, and by the time our friends arrived we were starving. There's a word in Belitung, kempungan, which is used to describe the bad luck that follows indulging in a "guilty" pleasure. But still we went in search of gangan.

Gangan, or fish-head casserole, is a Tanjung Tinggi speciality. (JP/Kuntarini Rahsilawati)Gangan, or fish-head casserole, is a Tanjung Tinggi speciality. (JP/Kuntarini Rahsilawati)

Tanjung Tinggi is a popular place for swimming, relaxing or simply admiring its white sand beach, turquoise water and granite rock formations.

We quickly found a restaurant, watching kids dive into a granite pool while we waited for our food. When it finally arrived, it was a sight to behold. The casserole, it's sauce a perfect blend of curry paste and pineapple, was big enough for the seven of us -- with leftovers assured.

After lunch, my friends and I scattered like soldiers fighting for the control of strategic spots from which to take photos.

I kept thinking of the book Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Warriors), which is about the children of poor fishermen in Belitung, who played, joked and encouraged one another in their studies. I was keen to travel on to East Belitung, where the book is set. Instead of taking pictures I returned to the restaurant. A friend asked, "Do you want to meet Andrea Hirata?" Andrea is the book's author.

"Sure," I said. "There he is now, said my friend, "strolling along the beach". Without thinking twice I rushed over to greet Andrea. He is well-known in Jakarta and yet seemed liked a "nobody" in Belitung.

The view from the Lengkuas lighthouse. (JP/Kuntarini Rahsilawati)The view from the Lengkuas lighthouse. (JP/Kuntarini Rahsilawati)

Andrea asked me to climb across the otherworldly rock formations with him. We sat high up, overlooking the open sea. It was clear from Laksar Pelangi that Andrea really loves Belitung, his hometown. I could imagine the part in the book when he gazed at the rooftop of his sweetheart's house from Selumar hill in East Belitung. I even fancied I could see the dragons of the South China Sea wrestling from afar.

Ah, gangan, Tanjung Tinggi and Andrea in one day -- welcome to Belitung!

Lengkuas Island

The next day, the golden morning sun filtered through the canopies of leaves and branches along the road to the Tanjung Layar coast. It was the perfect day to sail to Lengkuas Island, or so we thought.

No sooner had we arrived in Tanjung Layar than a chilly wind whipped up and the sun all but disappeared. Boats were tossed about like toys. A fisherman approached us. "Are you sure you still want to sail to Lengkuas Island?", he said, making his reluctance clear. A fisherman I'd met earlier told me that from May to August the sea around Belitung is calm and flat like a mirror, but in December, few fishermen have the courage to go out to sea.

"Just give it a try, Pak," my friend said.

We decided to try our luck, and away we sailed. The small islands scattered in the vicinity seemed within reach, but I knew they were not that close. Halfway to our destination, the water surface was choppier. Our small boat was tossed up and down like an amusement park ride and I regretted our snap decision to sail to Lengkuas.

(JP/Kuntarini Rahsilawati)The granite rock formations of Belitung (JP/Kuntarini Rahsilawati)

There was no turning back, the only way was forward. Our boat was a lone warrior on the sea. There was nothing to do but to hold onto the bench. There was not even a rubber ring, let alone life jackets.

So, for more than an hour, we held tightly to the bench, prayed and kept our eyes on the waves that threatened to swallow up our boat.

As we drew closer to Lengkuas, the sea was calmer. The sun reflected off the whitewashed lighthouse that stood out against the island's green forest. It was a relief to know that we were close to dry land.

The only problem was the water was too shallow for the boat to get any closer. We'd have to wade through waist-deep water. Fortunately, the kindhearted fisherman placed a chair below the deck so we didn't have to jump right in.

Lengkuas Island is surrounded by granite boulders that have a surface pattern of horizontal lines. So straight are they that they look like they were drawn with a ruler.

The interior of the lighthouse. (JP/Kuntarini Rahsilawati)The interior of the lighthouse. (JP/Kuntarini Rahsilawati)

The lighthouse engineer, Komaruddin, approached us, smiling broadly. He lives there with his family. They receive food supplies only once in three months and are completely reliant on tank water.

If there is no more water in the tank, Komaruddin must call his superior in Jakarta and ask for a container of water to be delivered to the island.

No wonder the sign in the toilet says "Use water wisely".

The white lighthouse was built in 1882 and still functions as an active aide to navigation for ships going to Tanjung Pandan Port or entering the Gaspar Straits, which separate Bangka and Belitung islands. Komarudin is assisted by two men who keep watch at night.

It is rather eerie inside the lighthouse. One room, which has bars over the windows, used to be a cell. From every window there is a magnificent view of the sea. On the way back down the lighthouse stairs, I was struck by the glow of the afternoon sun through the old, broken windows. It was a privilege to have spent the afternoon on this beautiful island.


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Medan News

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War on illegal fishing leaves Indonesia empty-handed
Jakarta Post - Jakarta,Indonesia
Last year the government established five ad hoc fishery courts in Jakarta, Medan (North Sumatra), Pontianak, Tual island in Maluku and Bitung (North ...
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Philippine Star - Manila,Philippines
... backing the Philippine Youth Women's team's campaign in the 19th FIBA Asian Under-18 Championship which got under way yesterday in Medan, Indonesia. ...
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Item sent by

Posted by Lambang Insiwarifianto 0 comments for Hotel di Medan
The following page from the "indonesiatravelonline.com" web site has been sent to you by ( hikarimd@cbn.net.id ).

You can access it at the following URL:
http://www.indonesiatravelonline.com/medan/medan-tour/sipiso-piso-waterfall.html


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