BALI – latest updates - Om Swastiastu ...

Last week participated on a panel at 62nd Travel Agents Association of India conference at Nusa Dua, Always interesting to meet Bali Update readers from around the world who take the time to introduce themselves.

Among lead news stories in this edition: A domestic tourist fell into the sea and drowned last week at Tanah Lot. For the second time in this harvest season, a falling durian has killed a man in Bali. Admission charges to tourist attractions in South Bali to increase on January 1, 2016. And, Bali’s Tourism Minister say difficulties to hit tourism targets due, in part, to dirty public toilets.

There are a large number of articles this week on immigration-related matters. Governor Pastika voices his support for competency requirements for the Island’s tourism workers. The Tourism Minister asks permission to allow tour guides from Mainland China to work in Bali. The Manpower Ministry appears to be backtracking on plans requiring expatriate workers demonstrate fluency in the Indonesian language. Bali immigration installs electronic data management devices to keep track of foreign workers. Effective April 1st, immigration in Bali will no longer require visitors to submit disembarkation-embarkation cards. Coordination meetings are underway to facilitate new rules that give 45 nations visa-free access to Indonesia and avoid possible conflicts with existing regulations. And, the government promises to simplify and speed up the application process for working permits for foreign workers.

Trip Advisor has ranked Bali’s hillside community of Ubud among the top 25 tourism destinations in the world.

Klungkung Regency in Bali plans to develop traditional sea salt production centers as tourism attractions.

Aviation News: Indian travel agents meeting in Bali say direct flights to Bali are the key to growing tourism numbers. AirAsia Indonesia considering direct flights to China from Medan and Bali. And the Transportation Ministry is preparing to announce safety rankings for all Indonesian air carriers.

Hotel News: Uday Rao has been promoted to manage both Four Seasons Resorts in Bali. Agoda.com ranks worldwide destination in terms of their accessibility to handicapped travelers. And, Bali's homegrown Pino de Bali fortified wine is now on the wine list of one of the world’s leading restaurants in Hong Kong.

This week’s edition also an editorial examining the confusion regarding efforts to regulate the sale and use of beer in Bali.

Bali hotels, event organizers, meeting venues and wedding organizers are invited to join the next edition of the Bali MICE Guide to be published in September 2015.

Looking Ahead:

• Good Friday Gratitude Exhibition and Auction on Behalf of the Bali’s Children Foundation on April 3, 2015 at Cocoon Beach Club.
• Conrad Bali Living Lobby Art Exhibition features wayang puppets through June 30, 2015.
• Entrepreneurship Exhibition in Bali, April 9-13, 2015.
• “Interior Journey” – a Painting Exhibition by I Made Mangku Mahendra at The Pullman Legian Nirwana through May 17, 2015.
• “Women in Love” Painting Exhibition by Teguh Ritma Iman at Ganesha Gallery, through May 14, 2015.
• International Women’s Conference in Bali, April 5-6, 2015.
• Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak ‘Bali will Rock like Broadway’ on Friday, April 10, 2015.
• Bali and Beyond Travel Fair, June 10-14, 2015.
• Balinale – Bali International Film Festival – the 9th Edition, September 24-30, 2015.
• 4th BII Maybank Bali International Marathon on Sunday, August 30, 2015.
• Seven Star Global Luxury Awards on September 19, 2015 in Bali. Be sure to vote!
• International (ICEVI) Conference on Education for the Visually Impaired in Bali, September 28-October 1, 2015.
• World Congress of Consuls in Bali, October 15-18, 2015.
• 2015 Herbalife Bali International Triathlon on October 25, 2015.

 

 

Om Çanti Çanti Çanti Om ...

J.M. Daniels,
Editor Bali Update
Bali Discovery Tours