Bali Travel News

MAS Offers Three Daily Flights To Bali

2009-11-04T16:17:00.000+02:00

Malaysia Airlines is flying three daily flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bali from Wednesday, with the additional flight departing Kuala Lumpur everyday at 12.25pm and arriving in Bali at 3.20pm.

Its senior general manager, network and revenue management, Dr Amin Khan, said customers could now travel anytime at their convenience as the daily flights were timed every three hours, with departures at 8.45am, 12.25pm and 3.20pm.

He said in a statement today that demand had been picking up, especially with passengers from other countries flying to Kuala Lumpur and connecting onwards to Bali.

"Our load factor is strong at 80 per cent, which is 10 per cent higher compared to the same time last year," Amin said.

KL ranks top 3 city for business in Asia

2009-09-06T08:35:00.000+03:00

Kuala Lumpur has been ranked among the top three cities for business in Asia in the SmartTravelAsia.com’s 2009 Best in Travel Poll.

The Malaysian capital, ranked fourth last year, finished behind Hong Kong which remained the top city for business, followed by Singapore, while Bangkok, the “City of Angels”, dropped one rung to fourth. SmartTravelAsia.com, the region’s dedicated online travel magazine with over one million readers worldwide, said the category took in perceptions and actual experiences of business travellers in dealing with a range of factors like efficiency of transport and general services, signposting, hotels, airport and so on.

Low fares to Bali - buy before June 28 for fall travel

2009-06-20T17:35:00.000+03:00

Bali in the fall is niiiice - as they say, "bagus." The weather's great, surf's up and college students are back in school.

With Singapore Airlines advertising LAX to Bali for $679, take in the Indonesian island's colorful dances, fragrant flowers and funny monkeys all for what I once paid to go to Hawaii (I know). That leaves plenty of rupiah for surf tours, scooter rentals, heaping plates of mie goreng and hand-crafted art to bring back home.

Singapore Airlines is offering similar rates to Bangkok, Manila, Hanoi (and several more Asia destinations) from Los Angeles in this special promotion. Travel through Nov. 30, 2009.

Bali tourism unaffected by global crisis

2009-05-22T19:11:00.000+03:00

The current global financial crisis exacerbated by the outbreak of H1N1 influenza, has not affected Bali's tourism industry, say experts.

Aloysius Purwa, chairman of the Bali branch of the Indonesian Association of Travel Agencies (Asita), said Bali had experienced significant growth in the number of tourists visiting from January to May 2009.

"The number of tourists from China, Malaysia and Taiwan has increased," Purwa said.

Based on the latest data from the Bali office of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the number of Chinese tourists reached 21,492.

The number of tourists from Malaysia is also increasing, while Japan and Australia have remained the island's top markets since the early l980s.

New agro-tourism village in Karangasem

2009-04-22T14:09:00.000+03:00

The Bali provincial administration is currently developing an agro-tourism village project in Besakih, Karangasem regency, 75 kilometers east of Denpasar.

The project, overseen by the provincial agricultural agency, is scheduled to be completed within the next five years.

It covers a 200 hectare plot of land belonging to the Besakih community.

Head of the agriculture office, Wayan Badra Wisnaya, told reporters on Friday that since 2008, local farmers have grown 4,000 orange trees and 5,000 durian (durio zibethinus murr) trees on their lands.

"The office provided seeds for trees to the crop and horticultural office, valued at Rp 150 million," said Winaya.

Bali yet to lure tourists leaving Thailand

2009-04-18T21:38:00.000+03:00

Bali has failed to attract foreign tourists leaving Thailand's political problems, said an official at Ngurah Rai International Arport.

Dimyati, assistant public relations manager of state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I, said there had been no increase in flights from Thailand to Bali.

"Everything is normal. We have regular flights to Bangkok by Thai Airways and Air Asia," Dimyati said.

Anti-government protesters managed to force their way into the venue of the East Asian Summit at a hotel in Pattaya, Thailand, on Sunday.

Many foreign leaders were trapped in the hotel and had to be evacuated on board helicopters to U Tapao military airbase.

Bali Traveling

2009-04-15T19:08:00.000+03:00

Bali becomes hotspot as Aussies seek value for money

2009-04-11T23:23:00.001+03:00

Indonesia is becoming a new hot spot for Australian tourists, with the numbers travelling there rising 24 per cent in a year to record levels.

The Bureau of Statistics reported that overseas travel had shrunk 2 per cent since its peak in August. Yet travel to Indonesia has jumped almost 20 per cent, overtaking the United States, Britain and Thailand to become Australians' second most popular destination, behind New Zealand.

The Philippines, New Zealand and the Pacific islands are also becoming more popular as destinations for budget-conscious travellers.

Bali is back, for all seasons

2009-04-03T20:01:00.001+03:00

We'd walked down there the previous evening, strolling along the sand on dusk and taking a table at the Menega Cafe, the same place that had been targeted by terrorist bombers only a few years before.

The restaurant was crowded with tourists that night – Italians, French, Germans, Britons and Australians – the relaxed, holiday ambience proof that, while some travellers may have succumbed to fear, most refused to bow to terror and continued to travel.

"You'd never know that this had been the site of one of the attacks, would you?" I said to my partner, savouring the chill of the Bintang beer as the first mouthful hit my palate.

Bali Turns Into Ghost Town as Nyepi Is Observed

2009-03-29T09:53:00.000+03:00

Bali’s normally bustling streets and beaches resembled a ghost town on Thursday as all activities were put on hold for the Hindu Day of Silence, ushering in the Saka New Year.

For 24 hours, the popular resort island observed Nyepi, the Balinese Hindu ritual that proscribes complete silence and puts prohibitions on worldly distractions such as work, travel, entertainment — and even tourism.

In Kuta, for instance, not a single visitor, local or foreign, was seen bathing or sunning on the beach, and all restaurants, bars and shops shut their doors for the day. Only groups of pecalang, or traditional security guards, were seen roaming Bali’s neighborhoods, ensuring public observance of the prohibitions.

“In addition to keeping security, the purpose of the patrol is to warn visitors who stray into the streets,” said Balinese customary law authority secretary Kuta Made Gunawan.

How Green is My Bali

2009-03-25T13:11:00.000+02:00

FEW DESTINATIONS HAVE BENEFITED FROM MODERN TOURISM QUITE LIKE BALI. BUT WHEN YOU SELL CULTURE FOR PROFIT, ASKS JOHN BOWE, CAN YOU REMAIN TRUE TO YOURSELF?

I have a neighbor named Richard. He’s a prime example of what I call a Baby Boomer Bummer. Richard was a globe-trotter in the late ’60s and ’70s, before exotic travel became popular with the masses. When I pass him in the hall with my suitcase, he always asks where I’m going — then interrupts to wax euphoric about how much better my destination was back in his day. Evidently, food and sex were not only free, but better and unlimited.
When I told Richard I was going to Bali, I braced myself for the worst. Few places provoke baby-boomer rhapsody like this Indonesian island. It makes them so sad: hundreds if not thousands of years of cultural evolution undone by a few decades of modern, Western-style development, much of it of the globalized luxury persuasion. But this has always struck me as a naïve, not to mention selfish, point of view. Yes, of course, Bali was a different place before it had a Four Seasons, a Hard Rock Hotel, two million tourists a year, terrorist bombings and so on. And, of course, at some level I — like all travelers — want every quaint corner of the world to remain untouched. Yet whom does t

Bedazzled in Bali

2009-03-23T10:35:00.000+02:00

Hinduism came to Bali by invitation. It was not a religion foisted by conquering hordes or unloaded by traders as they exchanged gold for vanilla pods. What the traders brought with them were stories of India’s great Rajas and the Javanese chiefs aspired to emulate the luxurious lifestyle of these kings. There was just one little problem — these simple-minded people were unaware of political machinations and so Brahmin priests were brought in from India to accomplish their goal.

As the kings grew stronger, so did Hinduism in the region. This process went on from the 1st century to the 14th century. Buddhism came to Bali and the Majapahit Empire was the strongest and largest. But all this changed in the 15th and 16th century with the advent of Islam in Java and Sumatra. The aristocrats, musicians, artists and learned men fled to Bali to avoid conversion and Bali became what it is even today a veritable fairground of arts and crafts.

Bali Hotels Association Offer "Bali Bonus Nights"

2009-03-17T09:16:00.000+02:00

Bali, Indonesia (PRWEB) March 11, 2009 -- Bali Hotels and Resorts are world renowned for offering outstanding value for the most discerning travelers. True Balinese Hospitality in combination with one of the world's most vibrant traditional cultures HAVE caused Bali time and again to be named the world's favorite tropical island destination in prestigious international surveys.

In response to the uncertain global financial situation and encourage travelers not to delay their Bali holiday plans, more than 40 leading Bali hotels have joined forces to offer "Bali Bonus Nights" on new bookings for hotel stays through June 30, 2009.

Bali hotels slash rates

2009-03-03T14:43:00.000+02:00

Hotels in Bali are slashing room rates amid falling occupancies as the global economic downturn takes its toll on the tourism-dependent economy.

Total foreign arrivals hit a record 1.97 million last year as the island recovered from the impact of the 2005 terrorist attack. The second biggest market behind Japan, Australia accounted for more than 300,000 visitors, up 51 per cent from 2007.

However, the recovery is expected to be disrupted amid the international credit crunch, with the Bali Tourism Authority estimating foreign visitor numbers will drop 8.6 per cent to 1.8 million this year.

Hotels are scrambling to fill rooms. Budget and mid-range properties popular with Kiwis are offering the steepest discounts, with some halving published rates, while upmarket resorts hit by a slowing in the executive market are trying to be more creative in their response to the downturn.

Travel Picks: Top 10 most romantic retreats

2009-02-20T01:27:00.000+02:00

SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - With couples across the world celebrating Valentine's Day, luxury travel company Hideaways International Inc has come up with a list of the world's 10 most romantic retreats.

This list was compiled by Hideaways International and is not endorsed by Reuters:

1. Chateau Eza, Cote d'Azur

Guests will be awe-struck by the Mediterranean views spread out below their cliff-side perch. Just 10 rooms and suites offer plenty of privacy, plus in-room massage, stone fireplaces, Jacuzzis, and private balconies.

2. Hotel Splendido, Portofino

Private balconies spilling over with fragrant flowers, the warm Italian sun, and great views. It's hard to imagine a more romantic setting for a honeymoon or any other special occasion. Other romantics who've visited this love-nest include Taylor and Burton and Bacall and Bogart.

American Tourists To Bali Up Substantially Following Lifting Of Travel Ban

2009-02-11T12:50:00.000+02:00

The number of American tourists to Bali has been increasing since the Indonesian government had lifted its travel warning, classiying the number of American tourists coming to the island resort as one of the big-ten.

The number of tourists from other western countries also increased by an average of 20 percent, Ida Komang Wisnu, Head of the Bali Central Bureau of Statistics said here Monday.

Komang Wisnu said the number of foreign tourists to Bali reached 1,664,854 last year. And their number increased further this year.

A total of 1,298,130 tourists came to Bali from January to August 2008, which was a 20 percent increase compared to the 1,079,751 people in the same period last year.

Americans from January to August 2008 coming to Bali reached 46,923, up by 30 percent from 36,092 compared to the same period in 2007 whereas the number of French tourists increa

Bali tourism expiring

2009-02-06T13:52:00.000+02:00

Experts continue to claim that Bali's tourism industry is on the decline and that the island may become marginalized when the ASEAN charter takes effect in 2015 and makes travel to other regional tourist attractions more affordable for Indonesians.

Daradjatun Kuntjoro Jakti, former coordinating minister for the economy, said Friday that Bali's tourism industry had reached a saturation point that could endanger public livelihood if the administration did not act.

His data shows that Bali's income from foreign tourist has continually dropped to $4.44 billion in 2006 from US$5.74 billion in 2000, despite the rapid development of tourism-related infrastructure projects within the six-year period.

Club Med promotes its Club Med Bali resort through concept of ‘All Inclusive Holidays’

2009-01-20T14:41:00.000+02:00

Club Méditerranée (commonly known as Club Med), a French corporation of vacation resorts which has about 80 resorts worldwide, recently renovated one of its oldest resort (outside France)- Club Med Bali after investing in a makeover worth Euro five million. Club Med Bali was closed on September 1, 2008 for renovation and has opened its doors again this month. Olivier Horps, Vice-President-Marketing, Asia Pacific, Club Med told TravelBiz Monitor, “Club Med is promoting its resort in Bali through the concept of ‘All Inclusive Holidays’ post its renovation which gives it a touch of modern design and Balinese architecture.

By ‘All Inclusive Holidays’ we mean, our guests can enjoy a hassle-free holiday as everything is taken care of- from a host of fun activities to food, drinks and snacks and childcare services at no additional cost. It caters to the needs and requirements of all the segments from individuals to families and groups to honeymooners.”

Tucked away in Indonesia’s West Nusa Tenggara

2009-01-13T21:23:00.000+02:00

Frolicking on the beach of a small secluded island might be the holiday dream of most work-drenched men and women.

Away from the noisy, clogged and polluted city streets, one can warm their tired feet on sun-baked sand, swim above coral reefs and laze in a bale bengong (stilted open-air wooden hut) with a good book while feeling the delicious sea breeze against their skin. Looking up, instead of a hazy gray sky, one can see the blue of the sky during the day or the twinkling stars at night.
It is definitely my kind of holiday.

So, when I had the chance to escape the capital, I grabbed it and without hesitation I headed to Lombok’s Gili Meno.

Bali Airport to Be Renovated

2009-01-06T19:11:00.000+02:00

Expansion work at the Ngurah Rai Airport on Bali Island, Indonesia’s prime tourist destination, will begin in April, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Saturday.

Kalla said that the reconstruction project would include an expansion for the domestic terminal and the opening of better road access to and from the airport area.

“The project will cost Rp 1.2 trillion [$110.4 million],” Kalla said.

Kalla spent New Year’s Eve with his family in Bali and inspected the international airport before returning to Jakarta on Saturday.

Bambang Darwanto, head of airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I, said the expansion was part of an effort to accommodate the increasing number of people traveling to Bali.

Indonesia and Bali still seeing booming tourist trade

2008-12-25T19:27:00.001+02:00

Despite global gloom, Indonesia’s tourist arrivals are still seeing very healthy growth, particular in relation to Bali, and now the country is predicting tourist numbers will grow by 25% in 2009.

For the ten months to October end, international arrivals hit 5.1 million, lifting some 13% on top of 2007 figures, of this figure some one million travellers travelled to Indonesia with intentions to visit Bali.

Looking to 2009, Indonesia is confident that it can repeat the success of 2008 again.

The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism is predicting eight million international arrivals, or a 25% increase on this year’s figures, which is expected to sit at around 6.4 million.

There seem to be an increasing number of hot spots

2008-12-22T15:33:00.000+02:00

Australians were advised to reconsider travel to Indonesia because of the execution of the Bali bombers on November 9, while many people were stranded in Bangkok or had to cancel planned holidays after anti-government protesters blockaded the city's airports later that month.

In Mumbai, Australians were among those killed and injured when terrorists targeted, among other sites, two luxury hotels and the main railway station.

At the time of writing, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website, smarttraveller.gov.au, was advising against travel to eight countries, including Iraq, and suggesting Australians "reconsider" travel to a further 18, including India, Thailand and Indonesia.

Tarakan island looks to Bali for its tourism development

2008-12-18T19:58:00.000+02:00

The Bali Tourism Board (BTB) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tarakan municipality administration to increase awareness of the island as a tourist destination, including by advertising the location in Bali's promotional forays, such as websites, road shows and in brochures.

"The potential for tourism in Tarakan may well complement Bali's tourism industry and other tourism spots in Indonesia," BTB spokesperson Sang Putu Subaya told The Jakarta Post during a visit to Tarakan.

"The more varied and numerous our offers, the more interested tourists become in visiting Indonesia," he said.

Tarakan is approximately a third the size of Singapore and is home to 180,000 year rounders.

Bali tourist paradise bitten again: now it's rabies

2008-12-12T17:17:00.000+02:00

Bali tourism websites are also posting warnings about the outbreak.

Queensland's chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young issued a warning this afternoon, informing tourists that Bali has lost its "rabies-free" status.

The island of Bali has been regarded as free of the disease though it has existed in other parts of Indonesia.

Dr Young said human rabies usually followed a bite from a rabid animal, most frequently a dog, but in some parts of the world, other animals can be a source.

"We have been advised that authorities in Bali have taken steps to control the situation including implementing a program of culling and vaccination in dogs and vaccination of people in villages affected," she said.

Catch the ‘talk story’ train to Indonesian hot spot

2008-12-08T08:56:00.000+02:00

In fact, Bali has been a haven for movie stars and millionaires since the 1930s, when Charlie Chaplain and other illustrious travelers helped put it on the world map. It's even rumored Chaplain learned his famous duck walk in the upcountry Bali village of Ubud, watching the Barong dancers.

I've been to Bali and a few other Indonesian islands 11 times and still want to go back for more. But many other Mauians are lured by the "island of the gods," so I've asked some to share memorable experiences as well.

"I LOVE Bali," says Bobby Watanabe, the customer relations representative for Kapalua Farms and Maui Pineapple. "It's basically been like a second home to me over the years. The culture, food, people, it's all so great. The best of all has to be the people. The Agama-Hindus of Bali truly perpetuate the ideal of the aloha spirit on the complete opposite side of the world. In terms of wealth and prosperity they have nothing, yet they have the greatest attitudes one can come by. I've traveled and surfed in a lot of different places on this strange planet (Europe, South America, the U.S., Japan and other places in Asia) and there is no other place I would even consider trying to live outside of Hawaii but Bali."