Latest BALI News

Om Swastiastu ...

Bali is reviving discussions of long-dormant plans to impose a “mandatory donation” or “Heritage Donation” that proponents argue will be used to preserve the environment and Balinese culture. Bali’s Governor urges support of plans to ban the sale of alcohol at minimarts and convenience stores starting in April. Police have launched a 2-week long crackdown on street crime. And, a French expatriate designing furniture in Bali has been arrested by police for carrying a small amount of methamphetamine.

Police and lawmakers visited the Port of Gilamanuk to view a million dollar plus x-ray machine that broke down shortly after its initial installation.

Bali-born former State Minister Jero Wacik who once held two portfolios in the SBY’s Cabinet is now facing two corruption accusations linked to both those assignments.

Buleleng regency and Bali’s governor are rejecting as illegal plans to build a villa complex on Menjangan Island. Meanwhile, Bali is seeking interested investors for projects to serve senior citizen visitors to Bali.

Indonesia targets 10 million foreign visitors for 2015 as Indonesian arrivals increased 7.19% in 2014 at 9.44 Million.

We also look at the social cost and negative impact of tobacco use on the Indonesian economy.

Hotel News: The Alana Hotel in East Denpasar is in grievous violation of building and zoning laws. Bali’s tourism chief warns that the overbuilding of hotels in Bali may foreshadow the death of cultural tourism.

Remember that Nyepi falls on March 21st. We have news the shut down all radio and television broadcasts for 24-hours during the Holy day holiday.

Aviation news: A Garuda flight from Bali to Lombok ran off the runway in Lombok last week. No injuries resulted from that mishap that closed Lombok’s airport for nearly two days. The Transportation Ministry has now banned the sales of airline tickets from booths at the Nation’s airport and, we are told, the operation of illegal taxis. An Australian Consumer Group is preparing to file formal complaint against Indonesia AirAsia X in connection with the cancelled flight service between Bali and Melbourne.Meanwhile, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways are accused of unfair competitive practice in the USA? Does this problem extend to their Indonesian flights?

We pay a visit to the North Bali area of Pemuteran – a dazzling model of sustainable tourism development praised worldwide.

Finally, a story of the chicken that killed its handler during a cockfight in Kalimantan should give pause to Bali’s legion of cockfighters.

Looking Ahead:

• Festival of India, January – March 2015.
• Exhibition of Paintings by Nyoman Sujana Kenyam in North Bali, February 10 – March 29, 2015.
• All Things Chinese at BIWA Fund-Raiser on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2015.
• Bali Culinary Professionals Monthly Luncheon at Ginger Moon on Saturday, February 28, 2015.
• “Bali for Hope” Fun Race Sponsored by Four Seasons Resort in their Battle Against Cancer on Sunday, March 1, 2015.
• “Journey Through Asia” – Photos by Jean-Paul Navicet at Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana, through March 8, 2015.
• Solo Exhibition of Paintings by Mochammad Toha Hasan, through March 12,2015 at Ganesha Gallery.
• Travel Agent Association of India (TAAI) to Meet in Nusa Dua, Bali, March 26-29, 2015.
• Bali and Beyond Travel Fair, June 10-14, 2015.
• International (ICEVI) Conference on Education for the Visually Impaired in Bali, September 28-October 1, 2015.

Keep the news coming and advertise your products on Bali Discovery and Bali Update