BusinessTravel Guide
BALI
www.asiaoutlookmag.com
The island of the gods
B A L I
BALI
Home to some of the world’s most beautiful scenery, immersive culture and exotic wildlife, Bali has become a key pillar of the Indonesian economy Writer: Jonathan Dyble Project Manager: Jordan Levey
The island of the gods
Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
2
WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
B
U
S
I
N
E
S
RENOWNED AS ONE of the most picturesque islands of Indonesia, a country it has been part of since 1950, it’s not hard to see why Bali has one of the most illustrious tourism industries on the planet. Situated in the Lesser Sunda Islands, Bali features towering mountains, volcanic hillsides and some of the world’s most luxurious sandy beaches across 5,780 square kilometres of land – a natural composition that has led to it being nicknamed ‘the island of the gods’. Bali accommodates some of the most revered species throughout the animal kingdom, from the Bali and
S
T
R
A
V
E
L
Javan tigers and Komodo dragon on land, to manta rays and dolphins within its surrounding active marine life. Despite being part of Indonesia, a country dominated by Muslim culture, with 87.18 percent having identified themselves as such during a 2014 census, Bali is largely and uniquely centred around Hindu culture. Its people are known globally for their expertise in the arts. From crafts to music to dancing, Bali has it all. With such an abundance of things to do, see and experience across the island, catering to all travellers’ desires, the hospitality industry has
ASIA FACTS & FIGURES Languages: English, Balinese, Indonesian Area: Indonesia Population (2014): 4.225 million Currency: Rupiah Time zone: GMT+8 Dialling code: +62 Internet TLD: .id Climate: Tropical Highest recorded temperature: 42.2°C
continued to grow exponentially, now offering some of the world’s leading leisure attractions and tourism-related businesses.
WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
3
B A L I
The Business End
Singaraja
BALI HAS A surprisingly diverse and expansive economy considering its reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s tropical paradises. One of the country’s key cities is Singaraja, located close to the north coast, directly linked to other cities on the island and the Buleleng port on the Java Sea. Throughout its history, Singaraja has been fundamental to Bali’s trade – a reputation that it has retained to this day, renowned as a national export centre of rice and coffee. 60 miles south lies Denpasar, the capital and largest city on the island. Home to Bali’s only international airport, the Bali museum, and Udayana
4
University, it is, as you would expect, the main hub of Bali’s industry. Elsewhere, Klungkung is labelled as the centre of the national wood carving, gold and silver industries; Gianyar is home to one of Indonesia’s most vibrant markets; and the areas of Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua are all experiencing a flourishing tourism trade, alongside other regions across the country. Whilst this growth in tourism and rising population has led to the need to import many foods, Bali is widely known as an exporter of a number of agricultural products including beef, pork and palm oil.
WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
From top, left to right: Bajra Sandhi Monument, Bali Temple, Mayor’s office building, fast food outlets with traditional Balinese architecture, and Cellular superstore in the city centre
B A L I
Bali Hotels Association HAVING EVOLVED FROM its branding of Casa Grande in 2002, Bali Hotels Association (BHA) has been fundamental in facilitating this rapid tourism-centric acceleration in the past 16 years. With the region having been in economic difficulty in the wake of the Bali bombings, and the resultant drop in tourism, BHA has since overseen the national marketing strategy that has led to the island rising to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Speaking to Asia Outlook, Ricky Putra of BHA explains how the organisation is looking to maintain this trajectory by capitalising on a range of new prospects. Asia Outlook (AsO): Since inception, how has the Bali Hotels Association developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across?
6
Ricky Putra (RP): We have particularly focused on helping our members to provide reliable resources such as standard operating procedures, current information and assistance in prevention as well as in the face of crises. Developing local executives as hotelier candidates through scholarship programmes at the Tourism School in Bali has also been made a priority, providing regular training for the employees of our hotel members, allowing them to develop their skills. Further, we have made sure that there has been a focus on environmental sustainability by having regular clean-ups, energy saving benchmarking and a green champion forum for sharing on green initiatives as reference to hotel members, and, where possible, we encourage our members to adopt available environment programmes. These
WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
include Soap for Hope, a soap recycling programme that processes used soaps to make new ones, then sharing them with the less advantaged, Say No to Plastic Bags, waste management system programmes, and others. AsO: To this end, how would you say Bali has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal? RP: Bali is more a place for meeting and travel incentives than a business hub as such. Meetings, incentives conferences and exhibitions (MICE) have always been a key component of the market mix and with the wide range of top-notch accommodation, world-class dining venues, exceptional sceneries, international night scene, yet still with a highly cultural component, it is a logical choice for so many organisers.
B
U
S
I
N
E
S
S
T
R
A
V
E
L
AsO: How would you evaluate the tourism sector in Bali now compared to its condition when the Bali Hotels Association began? RP: It is better organised, and we can safely say that it’s better connected internationally through our cooperating with various organisations such as the UN, WTO, PATA, and the growth in the role of media worldwide. The excellent synergy that we have had with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and various tourism stakeholders has allowed us to be able to deliver ample resources and services to our members and the national tourism industry as a whole.
RP: The annual IMF World Bank Meeting is set to take place in Bali in October, an event that has really put us on the map in the world of business and economics. Additionally, internally, the country has been working to deliver the upcoming underpass connecting Nusa Dua with the rest of the island – a project that is expected to significantly lower the level of traffic congestion, speeding up travel times to and from the airport. Aside from this, the country is continually launching new leisure venues, international restaurants, and better and more luxurious international hotel brands, helping to improve our tourism offerings by the day.
AsO: What is in store for Bali over the rest of 2018 and beyond to continue the good work already commenced and to enhance its reputation as a tourism and business travel hub further in the future?
AsO: Looking forward, what progress and developments are you expecting to see, both in regards to the Bali Hotels Association as an entity, and in regards to the business travel industry in Bali as a whole?
ASIA
RP: I think we would like to see the tourism industry better integrated and regulated, where all players are on a level playing field. Further, although the ongoing developments have been crucial to the success of our tourism industry, it would be good to see a pause in these to allow for better sustainability, and to just allow the entire industry to breathe for a moment. Other than this, as is always the case, it would be good to see the benefits of tourism better reflected on the welfare of our inhabitants of all kinds, and a reduction in traffic is something that is ultimately becoming more and more necessary in tandem with this expansion. Bali Hotels Association exec@balihotelsassociation.com www.balihotelsassociation.com
WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
7
B A L I
Out & About TRAVELLING TO SOME of the island’s more built up areas offers the chance to experience some of the world’s most idealistic retreats, with five-star hotels in an abundance on the island’s southern shores and within the Ubud region. However, whilst the white sandy beaches, infinity pools and deep blue oceans might be the reason many holiday makers make the trip to Bali, this is certainly not everything it has to offer. Tours that are widely available around the island provide the perfect opportunity to see its most beautiful natural wonders, from waterfalls to tropical forests to mountain-top scenic views. Bali offers some of the world’s most stunning temples, brought to life
during the day, and seen from a whole new perspective with the backdrop of sweeping sunsets. In total, with such a widespread Hindu populous, it is estimated that the island province is home to around 10,000 temples. Further, the local villages themselves embody Bali’s indigenous culture, each featuring an assembly hall that serves for markets, festivals and other events that happen all year round, whilst each family lives in a compound surrounded by either earthen or stone walls. Bali is often described as having an artistic temperament, with its expansive arts and crafts featuring anything from bone carvings to silverwork to sculpture.
Pristine beach bathed by the Bali Sea
8
WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
Manta Bay, Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida Island
Pura Besakih temple
B A L I
Outlook Recommends “The mere mention of Bali evokes thoughts of a paradise. It’s more than a place; it’s a mood, an aspiration, a tropical state of mind” – Lonely Planet
HOSPITALITY
ACTIVITIES
NATURE
Canyoning in Kalimudah
Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking
Anyung River White Water Rafting
Ubud Monkey Forest
Karma Kandara Combining outstanding natural beauty with luxury hospitality, the Karma Kandara beach resort is situated on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, also known as ‘billionaires’ row’. Offering stunning villas, an elegant spa and a leading restaurant, Karma Kandara is surrounded by cliff-side ocean views of tropical beaches.
Ayana Resort and Spa The Award-winning Ayana Resort and Spa is a world-class destination for tourists spanning 90 hectares of clifftop land above Jimbaran Bay. Providing the perfect perch to watch the country’s glowing sunsets, the resort is home to 19 restaurants and bars, 12 swimming pools, gold putting and a fitness centre.
Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel SereS Springs Resort & Spa
10
WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
Bali Quad Bike Adventure
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
B
U
S
I
N
E
S
S
T
R
A
V
E
L
ASIA
TEMPLES
Best Beachfront Location in Kuta - Bali, Indonesia
Uluwatu Temple
Managed by Discover Resorts Discover y Hotels & Resor Jl. Kartika Plaza, South Kuta Beach 80361 PO Box 1012, Bali, Indonesia Tel: +62 361 751067 | Fax: +62 361 754585 reservation@discoverykartikaplaza.com www.discoverykartikaplaza.com
Besakih Temple
Tanah Lot Temple WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
11
B A L I
Transport Links
WHILST MOST HOTELS will provide all the transportation information that you need, there are a range of ways to travel around Bali. Rented bikes and motorbikes are a popular option for short journeys and inner-city travel alongside the use of bemos (minibuses) – the country’s solution to public transport that can be used publicly or privately at a low cost. Haggling is often required for bemos, as drivers will generally charge foreign tourists higher prices, but for those looking to immerse themselves in local culture, this is definitely the mode of transport of choice.
12
PHOTO: PASCAL KOBEH
Ngurah Rai Airport
Similarly, you can get a lift from ojeks (a motorcycle or motorbike that takes a paying passenger), but this can be a riskier option, particularly within busy cities where traffic flows are largely unpredictable. Taxis and car rentals are also available and are proving to be an increasingly attractive option for those seeking to
WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
explore all areas of the island, largely due to recent and upcoming expansions to its road networks. Looking more broadly, Bali features just the one airport, known as the Ngurah Rai Airport, based 13 kilometres south of Denpasar. According to statistics, Ngurah Rai is Indonesia’s third busiest international airport.
B
U
S
I
N
E
S
S
T
R
A
V
E
L
ASIA
Landmark Attractions Gunung Kawi
“Comprising a collection of ancient ‘Candi’ or shrine reliefs carved directly into the face of a rock cliff, this is definitely one of the most stunningly unique archaeological sites besides being an important sacred place for the Balinese” – Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia
Uluwatu Temple
“Uluwatu Temple, or Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of six key temples believed to be Bali’s spiritual pillars, is renowned for its magnificent location, perched on top of a steep cliff approximately 70 metres above sea level” – Hotels.com
Tegalaland Rice Terrace
“The emerald-green rice terraces in the river gorge north of Tegallalang village in central Bali are generally considered to offer travellers the best photo opportunity” – Lonely Planet
Brahmavihara Arama
“Brahmavihara Arama is a peaceful place to pass half an hour. The flower-filled gardens and manicured lawns add to the sense of serenity, a world removed from the rest of Bali” – Travelfish.org
WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
13
BusinessTravel Guide joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 676
ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 672
jordan.levey@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 668
w w w. a s i a o u t l o o k m a g . c o m