Edition maret 2014

Vol. IX March 2014

East Java xotisme I

en

Photo By Sonny Tumbelaka

Editor’s Note www.paradiso.co.id DIREKTUR

Visit East Indonesia

Igo Kleden igo@ultimoparadiso.com or info@paradiso.co.id

Dear readers, Lately, there are many parties, including from the government who are enthusiastically talking about tourism sector in eastern areas of Indonesia. There is an increasing awareness towards the importance of developing beautiful and diverse tourism potentials in East Indonesia.

This is the result of continuous attempts performed by various parties to grow awareness of the community about the importance of tourism. Everything has to go through processes and we fully realize that the hard work has finally shown good result

EDITOR

Tri Wibowo

bowo@ultimoparadiso.com or bowo@paradiso.co.id

MARKETING MANAGER

Dewi Antini

dewi@paradiso.co.id

SALES MANAGER

Lalan Marinda

sales@paradiso.co.id

PHOTO CONTRIBUTOR

Sonny Tumbelaka

to a better direction.

The transfer of information that is becoming more wide open, and the access to eastern areas of Indonesia that is getting easier have grown the intention from various parties to make investment in different sectors, including tourism sector in east Indonesia. We are very proud that investment can now enter and develop in eastern areas of Indonesia. However, we also have to be aware that this development might cast people away from their land and erode their custom and culture.

We have to admit that the local regulations have not been sufficient to protect people’s rights. Therefore, I think it is essential to the tourism development pattern in eastern Indonesia, which will not marginalize local community. They still have to be the host in their area and receive maximal portion from the development of investment in their area.

Unfortunately, there are not any tourist destinations in Indonesia that can be a good sample for other areas in terms of tourism development. Tourism that benefits various parties involved without putting the role of the local community aside.

Let us think about the best tourism investment pattern that maintains the sustainability of tourism in the future. East Indonesia is open for tourism development and hopefully the development in the area can bring prosperity to the local people. ***

Igo Kleden rEPORTER

Komang Wahyuni, Wiss Kedang, Dona Trihapsari Eka Elisa

SALES & MARKETING

Dina Anggraeni

Finance & Accounting

Yuni Ariani

TRANSLATOR

Indira Sari Paputungan

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Yudick Ariant

Distributor

Donny Sakura

CONTRIBUTOR

Christovao Vinhas Cok Dewi

www.paradiso.co.id PT. Travindo Jaya Jl. Batas Dukuh Sari Gg Curik no. 11 Denpasar - Bali - Indonesia 80222 Phone : 0361 - 8959507 Fax: +62 361 8474102 Hp. 081338306900 w up : 081238711251 email : info@ultimoparadiso.com or info@paradiso.co.id Bank Account : 097001023164531 Bank BRI Cab. Sesetan - Denpasar

Thanks To :

Distribution Domestic: BALI - Kuta, Ngurah Rai Airport, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Denpasar and Ubud Area. JAKARTA - Tri Wibowo Hp. 081236044326. Surabaya - Jl.Jend.

Basuki Rahmat 129-137, Surabaya 60271. Yogyakarta - Jl.Rumah Makan Gudeg 60 Citro, Laksda Adisucipto Km 9, Yogyakarta 55281, LOMBOK - Jl. Adi Sucipto No. 43, Ampenan - Lombok 83234 KUPANG - Jl. Walikota Kupang 13 SUMBA BARAT - Jl. Sudirman No. 5 Waikabubak - Sumba Barat. SUMBA TIMUR - Jl. Eltari No. 41 Matawai - Sumba Timur, LABUAN BAJO - Martin Meotoda, Ph. 081338151744 Overseas: Malaysia - maxiINFO, 32-3-1, Jalan Medan Putra 4 Medan Putra Business Centre. Off Jalan Damansara, 52200 Kuala Lumpur. Australia - 262 Wardel rd, Dulwich Hill-Sydney – NSW – 2203. Australia. THAILAND - 94/23 Wichitsongkram Rd. Kathu, Phuket 83120, WASHINGTON DC - 19233 - Wheatfield Terrace - Gaitthersburg, MD 20879. CANADA - 152, rue Notre-Dame est, 8 etage, Montreal, Qc, Canada H2Y 3p6. NETHERLAND - Vrijburglaan 72051 LA Overveen +31 235253619. ITALY - Viale Regina Margherita 270 - 00198, Rome, FRANCE - Europasia Commercial Agency, 15, rue Vallete 75005, Paris. GERMANY - Hattersheimerstr, 19, Frankfurt 60326. CZECH REPUBLIC - Na Zamecke 6/409 140 000 Prague Czech Republic, CUBA - Hotel Sevilla, Trocadero y Zuleta y Prado, 55, La Habana, Ph./Fax. +53 07 8669767. SLOVENIA - Kompas D.D, Prazakova 4, 1514, Ljubyana, Slovenia. CZECH REPUBLIC - Mr. Miroslav Radakovic, Na Zamecke 6/409 140 000 Prague Czech Republic, Ph. +420 261219316 - 19, Fax. +261 219320. CUBA - Viaggi del mappamondo - Cuba, c/o Hotel Sevilla, Trocadero y Zuleta y Prado, 55, La Habana, Ph./Fax. +53 07 8669767. SLOVENIA - Miss. Polona Pirnat, c/o Kompas D.D, Prazakova 4, 1514, Ljubyana, Slovenia.

Kuta

e:KutaInfo@QuestHotels.com

conten 12 |

Focus

8.8 Million Tourists Visited Indonesia

14 | Hasanuddin Airport News

to Develop Airport City Project

16 | Mt.KeludPost- Eruption: News

ASITA Optimistic Tourists Keep Coming

18 | Tanjung

Event and Destination

Focus

10 | Ijen Crater East Java

Puting National Park

21 | The Land of A Thousand Villages Event and Destination

38 | Nyepi Day 2014 Bali

25 | Rote Island

Event and Destination

30 | Raja Ampat

Event and Destination

32 | Cap Go Meh Event and Destination

44 | Bali Safari & Bali

Marine Park

48 | Melaspas Cermony Bali

HARRIS Hotel Tuban- Bali

Ijen Banyuwangi

Photo By Sonny Tumbelaka

Focus

Ijen Crater –

Photo By Sonny Tumbelaka

10 | Paradiso March, 2014

Photo By Sonny Tumbelaka

– East Java Ijen Crater is the biggest Crater Lake in Java. The sulfur Crater Lake lies between a natural dams of deeply etched rock. It is 200 meters deep and contains about 36million cubic meters of steaming acid water, shrouded in a smelling swirling sulfur cloud. Inside the crater the different color and size of stones are found. Indeed the crater of Ijen is beautiful garden of stone as well.

The view of sulfur miners who climb and go down to the crater is also amazing. A man puts about 10 kg of yellowish stone into his basket, before he descends the mountain slope to sell his load, carrying the same basket, going in the same direction, digging the same mineral. It is the natural picture that can be seen every day. Ijen Plateau lies in the centre of Ijen-Merapi Malang Reserve, which extends over much of the mountainous region directly west of Banyuwangi and borders on the Baluran National Park in the northeast. Like at Mt. Bromo, the caldera is best viewed from the air.

Fortunately, almost all commercial flights operating between Denpasar - Surabaya, Yogyakarta or Jakarta

usually fly, if not directly, over close by Ijen plateau, where the seemingly luminous blue/green Crater Lake forms an unmistakable landmark. It is beautiful scenery and located about 32 km to the north west of Banyuwangi. The main attraction at Ijen is the large Crater Lake that has much sulfur, which lies hidden between sheer walls of deeply furrowed rock at more than 200 meters. The Ijen crater itself lies at approximately 2,300 meters above sea level. It forms a twin volcano with the now extinct Mount Merapi.

Ijen crater shows a special type of volcanic feature common to Indonesia, about 1 kilometer in diameter and 175 meters deep. The floor is covered completely by a warm lake, milky blue green in colors held back by a dam built many years ago by the Dutch, in order to keep the hot, mineral laden water from raining the crop lands below. The crater can be reached from either the east or the west by any kinds of vehicles, but the second part of the trip covers distance 3 km on foot (jungle track). However, the later is more popular approach, since the climb from the road’s end to the edge of the lake is

Photo By Sonny Tumbelaka

only one and a half hours. And a walk around the lake takes a full day.

The temperature drops at night, near the crater rim it can fall to about 5° Celsius. The road ends at Jampit, where very basic shelter is available.

It is also possible to sleep in the old volcanologist station further up the hill, now used by sulfur collectors, but permission must be obtained in advance.

The sulfur is transported entirely on foot. In the past, horses were used but they were found to be less practical on the hazardous terrain. Today, the mine yields nine to twelve tons of sulfur per day. Men carry individual loads of up to 70 kg, often barefooted, up to the rim of crater and then 17 km down the mountainside to a factory near Banyuwangi. The porters are paid by weight.

The most important advice if you are traveling to Ijen is: “If you lose your way, just look out for the sulfur trail”.

The meaning was clear, since a continuous flow of two ways traffic, carrying the sulfur down the mountainside from the lake and trudging up again to re-load, had left a yellow trail on the well-worn path. The best time for seeing Ijen Crater is at 8 to 9 am.

11 | Paradiso March, 2014

Focus

8.8 Million Tourists

Photo By Special

Visited Indonesia in 2013

Tournament of Roses (ToR) in Pasadena, USA.

I

ndonesia was visited by 8,802,129 foreign tourists or grew 9.42 percent during 2013, with foreign exchange earnings amounted to US$ 10.05 billion. Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Mari Elka Pangestu said the high target achievement of the tourism and creative economy sector during the year 2013 has strengthened the prospect of this sector, which becomes greater in 2014.

The creative economy sector grew 5.76 percent or above the national economic growth rate, which was 5.74 percent. Ministry of Tourism and Creative

12 | Paradiso March, 2014

Economy recorded that in 2013 the contribution of the creative economy to the national economy reached IDR 641.8 trillion, accounting for 7 percent of the national GDP. Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the Media Centre of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy recorded in the last two months of November and December 2013, foreign tourist visit reached the highest record respectively 807, 422 and 860, 655 foreign tourists. “Foreign tourist visit i in December 2013 grew 12.22 percent compared to December 2012, which only amounted to 766 966 foreign tourists, “ she said.

While based on nationality, foreign tourist visit in December 2013 compared to December 2012 that experienced the highest growth of 39.37 percent was from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain (36.11 percent), 35.59 percent from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt (25.93 percent), and Hong Kong (23 42 percent).

Foreign tourist arrival in 2013 was predicted to reach 8,637,275 or grew by 7.37 percent. “It turns out that tourism growth was much higher in 2013 that reached 9.42 percent. This achievement is a sign that the tourism sector and creative economy in 2014 is getting brighter,” said Mari.

Photo By Special

Mari Pangestu explained that in early 2014 the government conducted tourism promotional activities abroad. “At the beginning of the year, we participated in the Tournament of Roses (ToR) in Pasadena, United States, which took place on January 1, 2014,” she said.

At this annual event Indonesia won the “Director’s Trophy.”

Mari added that Indonesia also participated in Vakantiebeurs 2014, which is the biggest tourism promotion event held in the Netherlands in the city of Utrecht on 14 to 19 January 2014.

While on the ATF 2014 forum in Kuching Malaysia, Indonesian tourism players took part in the TRAVEX (Travel Exchange) which was followed by 879 sellers from 353 companies from 10 ASEAN countries including Indonesia to bring as many as 462 buyers from 54 countries.

In addition, to increase foreign tourist arrival, government together with the stakeholders is seeking to improve di

Photo By Special

Intense Promotion Abroad

ATF 2014

encourage the increase of foreign tourist visit. It is because more than 65 percent of foreign tourists come to Indonesia by air transport,” she said.

Mari said that China is one of the focus markets, which this year is targeted to bring as many as 970,000 foreign tourists to come to Indonesia.

Vakantiebeurs 2014

rect flight connectivity from the source countries of foreign tourists to tourism destinations in Indonesia. She gave Hainan Airlines that opens new route of Beijing - Denpasar Bali from January 15, 2014 as an example.

“The more direct flights available will

Brighter prospects of ASEAN Tourism Mari Pangestu said also said the prospect of ASEAN tourism including Indonesia in the future is brighter with

growth of about 10.3 percent in 2013.

Contribution of the tourism sector to the economy (GDP) of the ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, either directly or indirectly, is about 8-9 percent and creates one of the 11 jobs.

Good performance of tourism sector in ASEAN countries, according to Mari, is caused by various factors such as improvement of infrastructure and direct flight connectivity, including the expansion of low cost carriers, increased purchasing power in Asia, refinement and visa facilitation, and intra - ASEAN cooperation. Intra - ASEAN cooperation contributes 46 percent of foreign tourist arrival to ASEAN and main partner countries that include China, Japan, Korea and India.

Other Asian countries contributed 32 percent of foreign tourists to the region.

According to the UN - WTO during the period of 2005-2012 the highest growth of world tourists (inbound) per region is ASEAN region by 8.3 percent or above global tourism growth of 3.6 percent.

ASEAN’s contribution to the global tourism reached 7.5 percent or 90.2 million tourists. “This means that UN - WTO see that ASEAN tourism prospects in the future is getting brighter with projected growth reached 10.3 percent in 2030,” she said.

Similar thing was also conveyed by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) that estimates the implementation of visa facilitation can increase the tourist traffic to 6-10 million people into ASEAN in 2016 and will boost revenue growth of US$ 7-10 million. ( bowo )

13 | Paradiso March, 2014

News

Hasanuddin Airport

to Develop Airport City Project H asanuddin International Airport in Makassar is developing a mega project of Airport City or independent city inside the airport. The project is entering its construction phase this year and is projected to absorb investment up to US$ 10 trillion.

Airport City occupies an area of 2000 hectares and equipped with various supporting facilities such as hospital, housing, Theme Park, hotel, entertainment, sport center, school and mall.

In Indonesia, this type of airport has been developed in Bali, Jogjakarta and Makassar.

For the development of this project, Angkasa Pura I is involving a number of its subsidiaries like Angkasa Pura Hotel, Angkasa Pura property, Angkasa Pura support and Angkasa Pura logistics.

General Manager Angkasa Pura I, Rahman Syafri said that the development of Hasanuddin International Airport is part of the transportation service improvement for public contentment.

Angkasa Pura I recorded the traffic of passenger growth in 2013 reached 9.7 million.

“2014, we project the growth of passenger to reach 11 million people or

increase by around 13%. Currently, we have released a land as much as 20 hectares at a value of Rp43 billion and another 60 hectares at a value of Rp 436 billion will be done soon. In addition to airport city project, Angkasa Pura I has allocated terminal expansion valued Rp 2 trillion on an area of 208,000 m2,” said Rahman.

The terminal expansion is expected to complete by 2017 so that in the fu-

ture the airport can accommodate up to 50 million people. Hasanuddin International Airport has been categorized into crowded or red light. This is based on the traffic of planes and growth of passenger, which continue increasing.

“Therefore, Angkasa Pura I continue developing the airport by adding facilities and expanding terminal in order to provide better service to passengers and airlines,” said Rahman. s(*)

Photo By Tri Wibowo

Many Hotel Investors to Expand Business in Indonesia

Mari Elka Pangestu

M

inister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka Pangestu said that there are many world class hotel investors have communicated their interest to expand their business in Indonesia.

One of the famous hotel chains said that Indonesia is in their list of top ten 14 | Paradiso March, 2014

country. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy recorded that Indonesia is currently at the third position in Asia in terms of hotel development and investment. This is the result of the meeting with a number of investors in the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) 2014 in Davos, Switzerland on 23 – 24 January 2014.

According to Mari, Indonesia is one of the main investment destinations for hotel and restaurant that is most favorited by investors.

The ministry has monitored that in 2012, the total foreign investment (PMA) and domestic investment (PMDN) for hotel and restaurant reached US$ 869.8 million. The figure significantly

increased that reached 210 percent compared to the previous year.

However, Mari hopes that the high interest to build hotel should be followed by environmentally friendly hotel management,which is effective and efficient. Therefore, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy encourages hotel investors who are interested in making investment in Indonesia and implement the concept of green hotel.

“Green Hotel is a hotel concept that based its management on the effort to optimalize resources, including the energy of water and materials. In addition, in maintaining the rooms in the hotel should fulfill the quality of tranquility and health for people stay inside. (*)

I

ndonesia dan Malaysia, two countries with the majority of moslem population, continue strengthening cooperation to develop Islamic tourism service targeting on world moslem tourists from Middle East, China, ASEAN and other countries. The intention to strengthen the cooperation was conveyed by both parties in the event of “Joint Seminar on Islamic Tourism” (Josit) in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Minister of Tourism and Culture of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz, in the seminar, stated that through this cooperation it is expected that moslem tourists not only visit Malaysia, but also to Indonesia.

Conversely, tourists from Indonesia can visit Malaysia.

Similar cooperation is going to be developed in other ASEAN countries such as Brunei Darussalam, which is also a country with majority of moslem population.

Today, Indonesian tourists are on

the second position after Singapore as many as 2.6 million people. Malaysia makes Indonesia as their favorite holiday destination. “Many Malaysian people come to Indonesia for holiday.

They visit a number of cities or islands in the country such as Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Bali and Lombok,” said Nazri.

On the same occasion, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sapta Nirwandar said that the number of Malaysian tourists visiting Indonesia is around 1.9 million people. “Malaysian tourists love shopping, dining, playing golf and enjoying syaria spa,” he said.

According to Sapta, the cooperation in the field of Islamic tourism between Indonesia and Malaysia is significant considering that this sector has widely opened market in ASEAN, China, Middle East and other moslem majority countries. “The market of Islamic tourism is big and it is getting bigger,” said Sapta.

News Photo By Tri Wibowo

Indonesia-Malaysia Strengthen Islamic Tourism Cooperation

Sapta Nirwandar

Thus, he hopes this cooperation will boost foreign tourist arrival to Indonensia. “Indonesia has the biggest potential indeveloping Islamic tourism. We hope this cooperation will increase foreign tourist visit around 10 – 20 percent,” he said.

A number of efforts have been carried out to attract Islamic tourists such as providing sajadah (prayer mat), qiblah sign, Al Quran, ablution and not providing alcoholic drinks. “A number of hotels in Indonesia provide such facilities and is expected to provide comfort to moslem tourists during their stay in Indonesia,” he said. (*)

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Kemenparekraf Seriously Develops Creative Entrepreneurship

M

inistry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) is going to seriously develop creative entrepreneurship through Digital Creative Center that has been developing.

“We, together with other four ministries under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry of for Economic Affairs are ready to support the development program of creative entrepreneurship,” said Director General for Creative Economy on Media, Design, Science and Technology in the Kemenparekraf, Harry Waluyo.

Harry said that in 2013 his department has supported the attempt to develop creative entrepreneurship by

facilitating 26 digitalpreneur teams with venture capital, angel investor, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, international and national companies and business incubator.

Furthermore, two digitalpreneur teams received investment from venture capital and angel investor; four teams received mentorship from venture capital, angel investor and content provider; two teams are recommended to enter Inkubator Bisnis Merah Putih (Red and White Business Incubator).

In addition to that, as many as eight digitalpreneur teams are exploring the cooperation possibility with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and content provider. As many as 39

works of digitalpreneur are facilitated for registration to HAKI (Intellectual Property Rights).

In the future, Kemenparekraf supports various programs to grow new entrepreneurship especially from the aspect of capacity building. “We will strengthen the capacity building program, one of them is for fashion industry players,” he said.

The government is targeting the number of entrepreneurs in Indonesia by the end of 2014 to reach a minimum of 20 percent of the total population in Indonesia. Until now, the recorded number of entrepreneurs in Indonesia is as many as 1.54% of the total population in the country. (*) 15 | Paradiso March, 2014

Photo By Tri Wibowo

News

European Tourism Market Should Be Maintained Director General Marketing Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Esthy Reko Astuty said that tourism market of Indonesia in Europe needs to be maintained. One of them is by participating in tourism expo and mart in Germany on 5 – 9 March 2014. “This year Indonesia is no longer a co-host of ITB Berlin, but have to keep participating in the event in order to maintain our market in Europe,” said Esthy in Jakarta recently.

According to Esthy, Europe is one of the focus areas of Indonesian tourism market, which every year continue to contribute increasing number of foreign tourists to Indonesia.

For this year, Indonesia is going to participate in the largest tourism mart, namely the Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin (ITB Berlin) and bringing tourism promotional materials as well as Indonesian culinary icons.

This year in ITB Berlin, Indonesian pavilion occupies an area of 450m2 for 85 industries and 7 local governments.

Esthy said that in this event, Indonesia still consistently promotes cultural heritage-based tourism including phinisi in it. “Our target is to reach a minimal of 10 percent increase compared to last year’s achievement. Ten percent is quite good for we have been known well in the event,” she said.

Last year, Indonesia was the Official Partner Country of ITB Berlin 2013. Even the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy estimated that the foreign exchange earned from the participation in ITB Berlin 2013 reached around Rp 3.34 trillion. This figure was got from the questionnaire result distributed to 93 participants of Indonesian pavilion in ITB Berlin 2013. (*) 16 | Paradiso March, 2014

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Esthy Reko Astuty

Mt.KeludPost- Eruption: ASITA Optimistic Tourists Keep Coming

C

hairman of ASITA (Association of The Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies) Yogyakarta Edwin Ismedi Himna said that foreign tourists will keep visiting the area after the eruption of Mount Kelud.

“If the condition has been back to normal, tourists will come back,” said Edwin in Yogyakarta.

He admitted that several tours had been cancelled in the past three days due to the temporary closing of the airport as an impact of the vulcanic dust from Mount Kelud eruption in East Java However, tourism practitioners, said Edwin, are optimistic that tours and travels will not be affected after the situation is normal again. “It’s because tourists know that Mount Kelud is not located in Yogyakarta. We just get the impact of the eruption,” he said.

Edwin said that he has given continuous explanation and information to tourists who are going to

visit Yogyakarta and its surrounding areas.

According to him, it is important considering that the information outside is not clear enough and often makes tourists hesitate to come. “This is also related to tourism image, so that we have to continue improving it by providing real information about the situation,” said Edwin.

Tourism practitioners in Yogyakarta have fully understoon how to attract tourists to their area.

Various natural disasters like earthquake and Mt. Merapi eruption happened in Yogyakarta have given important lesson, which is very useful for them. “We were paralyzed when the disaster happened, but we get up and survive,” he said.

Until now Yogyakarta is still the second most favorite tourist destination after Bali, where most of the foreign tourists visiting are from Singapore and Malaysia. (*)

Photo By Tri Wibowo

D

Firmansyah Rahim

irector General Tourism Destination Development for Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) Firmansyah Rahim ensures that tourism sector in North Sumatera in general is not significantly affected by the eruption of Mount Sinabung.

“Mount Sinabung eruption affected the area within the radius of 5km from the mountain. This doesn’t affect tourists’ trip to North Sumatera,” said Firmansyah.

Kemenparekraf is monitoring Mt. Sinabung eruption, which is still going on until now and it doesn’t affect tourists’ trip from Kualanamu Airport, Medan due to the location, which is relatively far from the mountain.

Firmansyah said that Mt. Sinabung eruption also has no significant impact on favorite tourist destinations in North Sumatera such as Lake Toba and the city of Medan that are often visited by both domestic and foreign tourists.

According to him, in relation to Mt. Sinabung eruption, the focus of the government is on the handling of the refugees, which includes provision of proper refugee camp and adequate food and medicine.

“After the emergency respond, the central government, local government and the community are expected to work hand-in-hand to fasten the recovery process,” said Firmansyah.

Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Center of Data and Information for Kemenparekraf show that tourist arrival via Kualanamu Airport over the first quarter of 2013 (January, February, March) were as many as 14,405, 16,419, and 17,932 people.

Tourist arrival in April 2013 showed a downturn trend, which were as many as 15,011 people. Entering the high season in May and June, the trend was going up to as many as 20,659 and 20,729 people.

The peak of foreign tourist arrival through Kualanamu Airport took place in November and December 2013, which reached 24,784 and 27,948 people or doubled the figure during the low season of January 2013.

Firmansyah Rahim said that throughout 2013, the number of foreign tourist visit to Indonesia reached 8,044,462 people.

The earning from tourism sector in 2013 was US$ 10 billion or increased by 10.23%. “The increase of foreign tourist visit in 2013 was due to the easier accessibility to tourist destinations,” he said.

He gave example that today, direct flight connectivity from the source countries of foreign tourist to main tourist destinations in Indonesia such as Lake Toba in North Sumatera, and the availability of new airport facility like Kualanamu Airport in Medan are increasing so that many international airlines open new routes or add their flight frequency to Kualanamu. (*)

17 | Paradiso March, 2014

News

Mt. Sinabung Eruption Has No Significant Impact on Tourism

is Growing with DMO

18 | Paradiso March, 2014

Photo By Tri Wibowo

T

anjung Puting National Park is located on the peninsula of Central Kalimantan, precisely in the Kumai District, West Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan.

There is the biggest orangutan conservation in the world located in this park with an estimated population of 30,000 to 40,000 orangutans scattered inside and also outside the national park. With the status of National Park and biosphere conservation, Tanjung Puting can be maintained continuously and is one of the leading tourist attractions in Indonesia.

In Tanjung Puting National Park we can see the natural habitat of orangutans directly and see their life in the wild.

Tanjung Puting was originally a nature reserve and wildlife reserves with a total area of 305,000 ha.

Since 2010, Tanjung Puting National Park received the DMO (Destination Management Organization) program from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. DMO program is a program of integrated tourism governance by involving all tourism stakeholders in Tanjung Putting that include local government, community and tourism practitioners.

Not long ago, I and three media from Jakarta had the opportunity to visit Tanjung Puting National Park to see directly the impact of the DMO program that has been running for 2 years. Our visit to Tanjung Puting was facilitated by Directorate of Tourism Destination Development Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.

Upon arrival in Pangkalan Bun airport, we were picked up by our guide Yoemi Kamale and then continued the trip to the Port of Kumai.

On the way, Yoemi who is also a member of the DMO Working Group explained that he gets many benefits from the presence of DMO program. The benefits ranging from training to be a qualified tour guide to English course.

“We can be more professional guiding foreign tourists who come to Tanjung Puting, and the guides could gather and exchange information and experiences. It makes us closer and more united, “said Yoemi during a trip to Tanjung Puting National Park on Wednesday (11/27/2013) .

Yoemi told us that tour guides used to be not registered and organized like today so that anyone can come and be a tour guide here. Now all tour guides are registered and more organized.

“If there are tourists coming in, they will be asked who their tour guide is. If the name mentioned does not appear on our list, they can not get into the area of Tanjung Puting because this conservation area should be kept well preserved,

Photo By Tri Wibowo

Event & Destination

Tanjung Puting National Park

Tourism Destination Development Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, as well as Technical Executive Officer DMO Tanjung Puting on a different occasion .

Ali explained that Sekonyer village has a strategic position because it is the main route to Camp Leakey, Tanjung Puting National Park entry point.

In the peak season, thousands of tourists both local and foreign sail down the Sekonyer River on dozens of klotok boats. Currently, DMO Tanjung Puting Team are working hard to involve the community of Sekonyer village in the loop of tourism business.

Tourists usually buy souvenirs in Kumai or Pangkalan Bun or City, continued Ali, if villagers of Sekonyer can make their own souvenirs, it will provide them with more income. DMO team collaborated with tourism players can direct tourists to stop in the village.

In addition to souvenirs, vegetable is one of the most salable commodities to supply cooking materials for klotok boats. Thus, tourism klotok no longer need to buy fruits and staple food in Indrasari Market in Pangkalan Bun.” This will increase the income of the local community,” said Ali. One of the interesting places in Tanjung Puting is Camp Leakey, the orangutan conservation. Before heading to Camp Leakey, there are other camps such as Tanjung Harapan, Pondok Tanggui, Camp Pondok Ambung, and the last is Camp Leakey.

Camp Leakey is the largest and was built in 1971. This place is a shelter for orangutan rescued from illegal hunting.

Currently the camp is known as a center for orangutan research.

We can learn more about the orangutans at Camp Leakey information center. Visitors are not allowed to feed the

orangutans at Camp Leakey and other camps. This camp will be maintained and remains important because orangutans are an endangered species, threatened by the impact of deforestation and the illegal animal trade. You will get a chance to see these amazing primates up close and learn more about how we can protect endangered species from the island of Borneo.

Increasing Number of Visitors On different occasion, Lokot Ahmad Enda Design and Tourism Investment Director, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy said that one of the objectives of the Destination Management Organization (DMO) program is to increase tourist visit.

As a result, some of the destinations included in the DMO experience an increase in the number of tourist arrivals.

Lokot gave example of tourist visit to Tanjung Puting when the first time Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy came to the National Park to introduce DMO in 2010. The number of tourist visit was 3,000 tourists. “In 2012, the figure increased to 12,000 tourists with an average spending of Rp 3.5 million per person,” he said.

DMO enhance cooperation in every element in the improvement of tourism related to each other. If everything is done together, then he is sure Tanjung Puting tourism will grow and bring prosperity to the local community. (bowo)

Photo By Tri Wibowo

special measures are needed to guide visitors to this area, “said Yoemi.

Tanjung Puting is special because it is fully managed by local people. “Starting from the boat rental, tour guide to places to stay for tourists are all managed by the local residents,” said Yoemi who was born and grew up in Central Kalimantan.

The best way to visit the Tanjung Puting National Park is by klotok boat. It is called so because this boat sounds tock - tock - tock so that people around named it klotok boat.

Klotok boat is fairly comfortable accommodation that can accommodate 7 to 12 passengers. The boat does not go too fast so that we can enjoy the atmosphere of Sekonyer River along the way down the river. With this boat passengers can enjoy the sunset, fireflies and bekantan (long nose monkey) that are sometimes seen on the outskirts of the river.

The visitors of Tanjung Puting National Park are mostly foreign tourists.

This makes the people around further improve their services. DMO program helps improving services by deploying technical guidance to the local tour guides.

Other forms concerning technical guidance activity is the management of the organic farming and handicraftmaking using recycled materials to dozens of villagers in Sekonyer. DMO is working with the Department of Culture and Tourism Kobar Regency and some travel agencies. Training usually lasts for one to two days.

“With organic farming activities and making crafts from recycled materials, is expected to be an attraction for tourists and also can provide direct income from the selling of their work,” said Ali Nurman, Staff Directorate General of

19 | Paradiso March, 2014

Event & Destination

West Sumba

The Land of A Thousand

Villages A

nother name of West Sumba is The Land of A Thousand Villages. This regency is indeed full of traditional villages spread from the most remote areas to the city center.

City center? You might be curious how traditional villages can be found in the center of the city. That’s the uniqueness of West Sumba, a place where modern and traditional mingled.

The people of West Sumba generally build their traditional village on the top of the hill. This is based on two main

reasons, namely practicality and religious reason. In the past, inter-tribe wars often took place to fight for land of authority. Therefore, highland was considered to be more practical to be used as a fort. From religious point of view, the construction of traditional village on the top of a hill referred to the pre-historical belief saying that “the higher the place of living is, the closer the inhabitants to the spirit of the ancestors and gods. No matter what the reason is, the position of the village, which is on the

hilltop offers exotic view.

These villages are surrounded by stone fence arranged orderly and two main gates. The entrance gate is called bina tama and the exit gate is called bina lou bungu. Stone and other symbols that have been sprinkled with the blood of animal offering are put in each gate as a symbol of the gate guardian spirit (Marapu Bina). The traditional houses were built in a row surrounding a sacred altar, which is used in certain occasion as a place to hold various im-

21 | Paradiso March, 2014

portant rituals.

Some people call sumbanese house as rumah tiga alam (the house of three worlds) considering its architecture and usage that is divided into three.

The house tower is the place where the spirits reside (Toko Uma). The main building is where the inhabitants live and

22 | Paradiso March, 2014

it also serves as worshipping place (Bei Uma). The space underneath the house is used as a place to keep the pets and evil spirits (Kali Kabunga). A lot of villagers decorated the outer walls of the house with buffalo horns and pigs’ tusks, which were slaughtered during the custom ceremony. The more

decorations they owner put on the wall signify the number of party that has been held. It is also the symbol of prestige.

For Sumbanese people, traditional houses are more than just a place to live. It also serves as the center of their social and ceremonial life. These houses even have names and different

functions, which is usually related to the task carried out during traditional ceremony. The names and functions are different from one village to another depending on the ceremony commonly held. Tambera village for example, there are 12 main traditional houses there. Each house has different role such as Uma

The inhabitant is responsible for providing betel vine and areca nut, which are commonly used in worshipping ceremony and Umma Pulluna that functions as a messenger among the Rato (spoke person).

Right in front of the house, we can find rows of megalithic tombs. Not like in other areas,

Kalada Wogo that serves as the spring guardian and rain-caller and Uma Dewi that has a role of a composer, singer and dancer in a traditional ceremony. Another example is traditional house in Dikita village, which is located in Tana Righu district. There are 13 traditional houses in this village such as Umma Kaito Kutta.

23 | Paradiso March, 2014

Sumbanese people always build grave in front of their house so that they remain close to the deceased relatives.

The corpses’ position always faces the house so that they can watch the activities of the living.

In addition to grave stone, there are a number of worshipping objects spread in the middle of the village such as Watu Kabella or the lightning stone, which is located in Weigalli village of Wanokaka district. The stone is believed to come from the sky and said to be able to bring down disaster in a form of lightning strike to people who have bad intention. Another wor-

shipping object is dead tree called Adung. In the past time, adung was used to hang the enemies’ heads. War preparation ceremony was also held in front of it. Nowadays, only preparation ceremony for boar hunting held in the holy month (wulla poddu) around October – November that is held in front of the adung.

It would be very interesting to explore the traditional villages in West Sumba with all the uniqueness. So there’s no need to think twice, just pack your bags and let’s visit The Land of A Thousand Villages.

Event & Destination

Rote Island,

Photo By Special

the Surfers Paradise

I

f surfing is your interest, Rote Island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is one of the must visit islands. This small island has beaches with long and challenging waves. In fact, many world surfers came to try out the greatness of the waves on the island.

Bo’a Beach in Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara, is known as the perfect and challenging location for surfers. The spectacular rolls of waves can only be found on this beach.

Besides being known as the most southern region of Indonesia, Rote Island is also known for its palm cultivation, Sasando musical instruments, custom hats Ti’i langga, as well as it marine tourism, especially surfing.

The island has dry climate and affected by monsoon. Rainy season is relatively short, between 3-4 months.

The north and south part of the island consists of the lowland beach, while the central part consists of valley and hills.

The island can be surrounded in a rela-

tively short period of time.

From Kupang, the capital of East Nusa Tenggara, you can reach the island by ferry Bahari Express. Each day the ferry serves the Kupang - Bo’a route for 1 hour 45 minutes. Furthermore, to be able to enjoy the beauty of the waves on the Bo’a beach, you can travel for 1.5 hours by car.

Cows, buffaloes, goats, pigs, chicken and coconut trees are the view along the way to Bo’a Beach. Once you arrived on the beach, you will be presented with beautiful beach with crystal clear water that seems to attract each visitor to play and swim there.

Not only Bo’a Beach, on the island there is also Nemberala Beach with its challenging waves. The beach that is located in Nemberala village, West Rote district is a surf beach area on the island of Rote.

The challenging coastal tide of Nemberala puts the beach as one of the venues for international surfing compe

tition every year.

On Nemberala beach we can find wave track that moves slowly in Break.

The height of the wave at this spot reaches three times the height of Indonesian people. The location is favored by professional surfers with advanced surfing skills. They usually come in July to September.

Three kilometers from Bo’a Beach, you can continue the adventure to the beach of Oeseli. Along the way to the Oeseli Beach, there are many cliffs where dwarf trees grow, so that it looks like a bonsai garden.

Indeed it was great to be able to visit the island in the southernmost region of Indonesia. Rote Island offers more than just spectacular and challenging waves, but also remarkable nature beauty. Surfers can get great surfing experience as well as enjoy the beauty of Rote’s beaches. Rote is an exotic small island with the longest tide in Indonesia that shouldn’t be missed. ( * ) 25 | Paradiso March, 2014

Jakarta’s Passer Baroe

Photo By Special

Event & Destination

Shopping Tourism to

P

asar Baru is one of the oldest shopping centers in Jakarta.

It was built around the 1820s.

Tanah Abang and Pasar Senen Market were built in the 1730s. Pasar Baru was originally a small market where local people sold their agricultural products.

Chinese traders at that time mostly went around selling their goods.

Around Pasar Baru, at that time, was the China town. It was called Passer Baroe for it was a relatively new market built to complete Tanah Abang and Senen Market. In its development, Pasar Baru was made into shopping area and considered as an elite area.

Chinese community began to set up shops in 1877. Pasar Baru was grow-

26 | Paradiso March, 2014

ing fast especially after the provision of substantial development fund by the Dutch East Indies government. The right and left sides of Pasar Baru were full of shops.

Pasar Baru at that time served as a place to hang out for the Netherlands and not for the locals. Thus, the existence of Pasar Baru was significant.

Many stores were built with Chinese and European architecture and products sold were no longer agricultural products, but textiles and shoes.

It was due to the existence of Societeit der Harmonie Building, a meeting place for the prestigious upper class of society of the Dutch East Indies, and Schouwburg Building, entertainment

place now known as Gedung Kesenian Jakarta that Pasar Baru grew into elite area. Pasar Baru was also close to Risswijk area, now Veteran Street, where rich people lived.

Now, Pasar Baru has become a shopping center, especially for shoes and textiles. Although it is now moving towards modern market, Pasar Baru maintains the old nuance.

Entering Pasar Baru today (January 2014), from the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta and Central Post Office, although we are greeted by modern archway that stands towering, but we still can imagine the atmosphere of the past.

However, when we enter the market from the back, the cinema that used to

Store. It was then followed by the establishment of Tjun Lie Optics and Sin Lie Seng Shoe Store. The Indians also began building sport equipment and textile shops.

The proliferation of malls in Jakarta is unstoppable, but for me Pasar Baru still has its prestige. As a shopping center and the old city heritage, Pasar Baru that always holds the Passer Baroe Festival in the anniversary of DKI Jakarta, should be preserved. Pasar Baru needs to continuously seeking for new innovation in order to compete with the programs offered by modern malls so that visitors will keep coming.

For those who love photography can

go to the second floor of Pasar Baru, the new building at the back. On this floor, you can find shops that sell used as well as new cameras. Make-up equipment can also be bought at affordable price in Pasar Baru.

Pasar Baru offers various interesting places ranging from sport stores, culinary sites such as Gang Kelinci Noodle and different traditional food of Indonesia such as tahu gejrot from Cirebon, siomay and traditional snacks and cakes. Indeed Pasar Baru is a complete tourist attraction that present the vibrant and colorful life of Jakarta. ( bowo )

Photo By Special

be located near Metro Pasar Baru no longer existed.

The famous Gereja Ayam (Church) can still be found in this area. Noodle sellers in Gang Kelinci (Rabbit Ally) that made this area became more popular and crowded can be accessed when we enter the market from the back gate.

History wrote that in 1929 a Chinese set up a bookstore called Tropen. The bookstore was established for the European people who loved reading. In 2004, Tropen, which is also the oldest bookstore in Indonesia, was closed by the owner’s heir. De Zon Store was established in 1958 and in its development turned into Matahari Department

A

ceh province offers attractive tourism destinations in addition to cultural and historical attractions. One of them is marine tourism in Sabang and Weh Island.

This beautiful island is located at the western end of Indonesia. Sabang is known for its underwater natural beauty and beautiful beaches.

A small ferry to Sabang Island is available at Ferry Port of Ulee Lheue Banda Aceh. It departs twice a day. It takes one hour to reach Saban Island.

There is also a large ferry that can load the car with the schedule once a day.

Upon arrival at ferry port in Balohan, passengers were greeted with a variety of public transport ranging from motorcycles, motor tricycles and taxis.

Sabang is a small island with an area of 156.3 km ² but has a lot of mountains with the highest peak of 617 meters. It offers various ecotourism attractions; especially resort beach, lake, mountain climbing, waterfalls, and exploring natural caves. There are also water sports that become the main attractions on the

28 | Paradiso March, 2014

Photo By Special

Exploring the beauty of Sabang Island

island such as snorkeling, diving and fishing.

In Sabang there is a panoramic view of the beautiful underwater garden. Sabang Island is one of the ideal waters for diving. In fact here the marine park is one of the best marine parks in the world. On holidays between May and August, a lot of foreign tourists come to dive and enjoy the beauty of the marine park consisting of a variety of corals and colorful fish.

Those who are not good in diving can rent a boat down the island of Sabang or swim on the beach which has white sand and crystal clear water.

There are 3 places that are excellent for diving and snorkeling, namely: Teupin Sirkui Beach, Rubiah Island Beach

and Gapang Beach. For an unlimited snorkeling, tourists are only charged for Rp.45.000. The equipment rented consists of a snorkel, fins and a float.

As for diving, the rental price is Rp 400,000 including the instructor. For novice divers should get a basic theory about the function of dive gear for about 20 minutes by the instructor or better known as ‘buddy’.

Vacation without culinary tour is incomplete. In Sabang, there are some foods that should be tried and have become favorites among the locals and tourists. Two of them are Octopus Satay and Mie Jalak (Jalak Noodle).

Octopus satay is served with peanut sauce or padang sauce. It is offered with very affordable price, which is only Rp

Event & Destination

Photo By Special

10,000 per portion. What makes it a favorite among the locals and tourists is its tender meat.

Jalak Noodle is traditional food from Sabang that has been known for ages and the recipe is inherited from one generation to another since the period of Dutch occupancy. It can be found in Pulau Indah Shop on Perdagangan Street. A portion of Jalak Noodle is offered at a price of Rp 10,000.

Photo By Special

0 km Point of Indonesia Sabang is the westernmost part of the archipelago despite the fact that the zero kilometer point of the westernmost part of Indonesia is still a few kilo meters west of the town of Sabang. Today, in front of Sabang city hall there is a monument that was once the zero point location marker of the westernmost part of Indonesia. Another monument as a marker of the zero point was built in the westernmost part of Weh Island.

The site is located in a protected forest “Murung Ujung” which is since 1982 becomes part of Indonesian nature reserve with an area of 34 km ². There are a

lot of wild monkeys on the left and right side of the road to the zero kilometer point. The road to the monument is winding and hilly.

However, once we arrived on the top of the hill, we will be presented with beautiful sea panorama.

The westernmost end of the Indonesian region is very steep cliff with an altitude of +350 m above sea level. As a marker of the zero point, there is a tower with Garuda Pancasila - state symbol – on the top of it. Inauguration inscription was signed by Try Sutrisno dated 9 September 1997.

The geographical position of the zero point is measured by applying satellite technology with the Global Positioning System (GPS)

by BPPT experts with the following data: 95 × ¡ 12 ‘ 59.02 ‘’ East longitude and 05 × ¡ 54’ 21.99 ‘’ North latitude.

For all visitors who reached the point of zero kilometers of Indonesia, provided previously been reported to the department of tourism in the city of Sabang, will get a certificate signed by the Mayor of Sabang. It as proof that you have visited the Indonesian zero kilometer monument. ( bowo )

29 | Paradiso March, 2014

Photo By Tri Wibowo

Event & Destination

Raja Ampat

A Paradise for Marine Tourism Lovers

B

eautiful scenery, friendly locals, and natural beauty of the sea floor as well as the landscape scenery, that’s the first impression got when visiting Raja Ampat that has 610 islands with 753 km long coast.

Raja Ampat meaning the Four Kings was formerly called Kalana Fat. The name derived from the Muslim empire of Sultan of Tidore in the 15th century who knew the Indonesian archipelago.

Maluku islands were known as the Moluccas, the entrance to the kings’ island. The four big islands are Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool. Now the islands are already a member of the administrative regions of West Papua.

Some ancient artifacts such as the image on the cliffs of Misool Island, which has an estimated age of more than 2000 years was found in Raja Ampat.

There is no direct flight to Raja Ampat.

30 | Paradiso March, 2014

Sorong becomes the main city to reach Raja Ampat. It takes four hours to reach Sorong from Jakarta by Express Air. Upon arriving in Sorong the trip can be continued by using ship Express Bahari 88, which costs Rp220.000 per passenger or Marina Express Rp175.000 up to 250,000 per passenger. The ship sailed the waters of West Papua from Sorong harbor towards Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat, for 1.5 - 2 hours. In Raja Ampat, all trips were done by ship or boat.

For visitors who want to snorkel or dive are required to purchase a pin.

Raja Ampat Regency Government has announced a new admission ticket system which came into force on August 12, 2007.

Admission ticket is valid for a year, from January 1 to December 31 each year. The price of the pin for foreign

tourists is Rp 500,000 and for domestic tourists is 250,000.

The pin must be taken at all times for easy snorkeling and diving activities and it can be purchased in Raja Ampat Tourism Management Office located at JE Meridien Hotel in Sorong, the northern point of entry for Raja Ampat.

October to April is the perfect time for diving, while in mid-July to mid-September will be a period of low tide although this is not a significant problem for diving.

Accommodation facilities are not a problem in Raja Ampat. Various accommodation options are available such as Misool Eco Resort (Batbitim Island) where professional divers are used to stay in. Or you can also enjoy the beautiful cottages and bungalows on the island of Masua provided by Papua Diving. There are also Papua Paradise

Eco Resort in Batanta Island, and Raja Ampat Dive Lodge in Kurkapa (Mansuar Island).

In addition there are also a variety of resort accommodations in Wailebet, Saonek, and Waiwo. Home-stay can be enjoyed in several areas such as in the Dampier Strait for tourists visiting Raja Ampat.

Raja Ampat Dive Resort is a diving and snorkeling area owned by the family of Nadine Chandrawinata. It is a unique area and require a bit of a struggle to reach it. To be able to get to this place tourists have to come down and walk through the woods along approximately seven meters.

A friendly Caucasian woman with fluent Indonesian language will greet every visitor. “If you want to snorkel or scuba dive, I will prepare the equipment. The snorkeling equipment costs Rp 50,000, we provide the float,”he said.

French woman named Marion quickly prepared the equipment and showed you where to change clothes.

“I love the sea, in France, the area where I live is close to the sea, too. In France children aged 11 and 12 years old cannot continue to junior high school if they cannot swim because

the main test is swimming test,” said Marion who married to Indonesian man from Bau-bau.

She said that Raja Ampat is marine area that she likes the most. “It different from Bali, Bunaken, Caribbean, or Australia and other places I’ve been to. Here I can see the biggest stingray ever,” she said.

Finished snorkeling, Marion offers visitors to drink in her café. “You can drink tea, coffee or milk and the bread here can be enjoyed for free. We only provide lunch for visitors who stay here, “said Marion.

Piainemo (Little Wayag) Piainemo, the topography and geological structure of the island is not less beautiful than Kabui Bay and Wayag Islands. In this place, visitors are offered the landscape of karst islands surrounded by white sand and bluish sea.

Snorkeling and kayaking are some of the favorite activities in this place.

To reach Piainemo from Waisai, Raja Ampat visitors should rent a speed boat on the dock of the Trans Wisata. Trans Wisata serves some of the zones such as the zone of Kabuai Bay, Mayalibit

Bay, Mansuar Island, Piainemo Island, Wayag Islands, and Gam Island.

“Speed boat rental costs Rp 6 million for eight people. The trip lasts from 8am to 5pm because it is dangerous to get back in the evening due to the high tide.

It used to be a lot more expensive to reach Piainemo Island for visitors had to get on a speed boat, which cost RP 25 million. Now there is Marina Express and Express Bahari as well as Trans Wisata to serve visitors with more affordable price, “said a crew Fandi.

With the speedboat, Fandi accompanied by two other crew members stopped the boat at Mr. Eli’s homestay for lunch, and continued the trip to Mount Telaga Bintang with a height of 7 meters. After that the trip was proceed to Mount Gundul (15 meters high), and then to Yeben beach which has beautiful corals.

In addition to its smooth sand and bluish green water, Yeben beach is great for snorkeling.

“If you want to stay overnight, I can provide a home-stay at a price of Rp 300,000 to Rp 500,000 per night. Many foreign tourists come in October to December and most of them are from Germany, Austria, England, and Italy, “said Mr. Eli. ( evi )

Activities to Do in Raja Ampat : Photo By Tri Wibowo

1 . Diving

Raja Ampat, which is located in the world’s coral triangle is the center of the richest tropical marine biodiversity in the world with 553 types of coral, 1,427 types coral fish, 699 types of mollusk and beautiful coral islands.

2 . Snorkeling

Almost all the waters of Raja Ampat are suitable for snorkeling.

3 . Trekking and Hiking

Most of the land in Raja Ampat has steep coral rock structure, has a pristine rain forest so that it becomes a perfect habitat for flora and fauna such as bald birds of paradise, red bird of paradise, maleo, and others that become its own attraction while trekking and hiking. Areas that can be visited are Batanta Island and Waigeo Island.

4 . Bird-watching

Photo By Tri Wibowo

Bird watching can be an interesting tourism attraction. Papua is famous for its birds of paradise (cendrawasih), and there are species that are only found in Raja Ampat (Endemic of Raja Ampat). These birds are monitored at specific time and place.

5 . Fishing

Local communities are very obedient to the rules. They fish in places that are not into parts of the protected areas, although it is located far from their homes using traditional tools. Fishing in Raja Ampat implements the catch and release system. ( * )

31 | Paradiso March, 2014

Unique Tradition of

Cap Go Meh in Singkawang

T

Photo By Special

he 15th day of the Chinese New Year (Imlek) or better known as the Cap Go Meh is the end of the Lunar New Year celebration which is celebrated in various parts of Indonesia and one of them is in Singkawang, West Kalimantan.

Cap Go Meh Festival has been recognized both domestically and internationally is a colossal cultural agenda which is held every year and celebrated with hundreds of Tatung attractions.

This year the peak of the Cap Go Meh in Singkawang was held on February

32 | Paradiso March, 2014

14, 2014.

A convoy of Cap Go Meh is also believed to provide positive energy and can provide safety and prosperity. Believing that this tradition brings positive energy, many people celebrated Cap Go Meh with a variety of interesting things.

Cap Go Meh celebration in Singkawang is the largest one in Indonesia and differs from Cap Go Meh celebrations in other parts of Indonesia. There is a Tatung parade conducted every year and the participants consist of people

from the ethnics of Tionghoa (Chinese), Dayak and Malayan (Melayu). “It shows not only the preservation of cultural heritage in Singkawang but also a symbol of inter- ethnic tolerance and harmonious integration,� said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, while watching the Tatung parade in Singkawang.

Singkawang that is located on the coast and surrounded by mountains has good tourism potentials, which include various natural landscapes, cultural arts, culinary and many more.

Event & Destination Photo By Special

Photo By Special

Singkawang also has many Kelenteng (Chinese temple) so that it is also called the City of a Thousand Temples.

“Singkawang is also known as the city that has the ceramic industry, beautiful beaches like Pasir Panjang Beach and Palm Beach, Rindu Alam, Sinka Island Park and culinary center ‘Pasar Hongkong’ and many other tourist potential.

These potentials are advantages for the city, “said Mari.

In 2014 the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has set a target of domestic tourist visits as many as 255 million people and a target of foreign tourist arrivals as many as 9.2 million people.

Hopefully, West Kalimantan Province which has 2 main entrances, Soepadio Airport and Entikong can make a significant contribution to the achievement of the intended target.

Meanwhile, Singkawang seen in terms of social aspect has attractiveness, where the majority of the people consist of the three largest ethnic Chinese, Malay and Dayak and other

tribes live together harmoniously. It gives special color to the everyday life of Singkawang.

“The diversity of ethnic and cultural characteristics make Singkawang as one of interesting tourist destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists,” she added.

Singkawang is one of the cities that has been designated as the Indonesian Heritage City. This year Singkawang is trusted to host the National Workshop Indonesian Heritage Cities Network.

Full of Magical Scenes A Chinese man with a face and a hand full of black streaks in traditional clothes of Dayak was in trance and dancing in random movements. He held a sharp sword on his right hand, while both feet stepped on sharp metal.

He stood on a sort of altar chair made of wood that was carried by eight people who were also dressed in Dayak traditional clothes. When passing

through the stage, the possessed man suddenly stopped.

Without anyone commanding suddenly his right hand thrust the sword into his right cheek to his left cheek. He was not in pain and there was no drop of blood that spurted from his cheeks.

In fact, the man continued dancing randomly.

Even the man with his entourage continued to run with the sword still stuck on his cheek without the slightest feeling of pain. There were more about 500 men, women, young and old presented the similar attraction with their cheeks, lips or nose pierced by sharp objects penetrating to the next side.

Singkawang people, West Kalimantan call them by Tatung, which means the people who have invulnerability so that when a sharp object pierced into their body, they will not feel any pain.

For people who are not accustomed to seeing the show performed by Tatung will be in great shock. ( bowo ) 33 | Paradiso March, 2014

A

fter the inauguration 30 icons of Indonesian traditional culinary by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, in order to support the socialization and promotion of Indonesian culinary icon, the ministry has officially opened Sekolah Kuliner Dapur Nusantara at SMK Negeri 1 (1 State VHS) Kudus.

“The school is expected to produce students who can carry the name of the nation in the international arena through Indonesian cuisine. Soon Indonesia cuisine will be cooked by a professional chef born in this school, SMK Negeri 1 Kudus. It is an extraordinary culinary pride because we will bring our good name to the world arena, “said Mari Elka Pangestu.

That major goal will be realized through culinary education that specifically explores the Indonesian cuisine.

In this school, the students are required to have knowledge of 30 traditional Indonesian culinary icons. Means this is the first school where traditional culinary designated as major teaching materials.

34 | Paradiso March, 2014

To ensure the quality of teaching staff, William Wongso - Indonesian culinary expert - will assist teachers in culinary school to become teachers who have international quality.

“We have long known Indonesian cuisine, but have not yet known how to train, create interest and intention of the students. This school trains the students to be come not a general chef, but chef of Indonesian cuisine. So do not be surprised if one day when we think about Indonesian culinary at vocational level, people will think to come to Kudus”, said William Wongso.

The culinary school consists of a Teaching Kitchen with international standard, cooking classroom with Cooking Theater, and Teaching Restaurant as a place for student practice presenting 30 traditional Indonesian culinary icons.

Meanwhile, according to Primadi H. Serad as Program Director Djarum Foundation which also supports the establishment of this culinary school, the purpose of the program is to improve the quality of vocational schools in

Photo By Special

Photo By Special

Event & Destination

VSH for Chef of Indonesian Cuisine to Open in Kudus

Kudus and wider career opportunities in the field of creative economy in the domestic and international scope in addition to carrying 30 Indonesian traditional culinary icons to the world scene arena.

Felia Salim, Deputy Director of Bank Negara Indonesia in her speech pointed out that the mission of BNI in the world of education is to succeed the promotion of 30 traditional Indonesian culinary icons. We also have one purpose, namely bridging Indonesia to the world. Hopefully ‘Kudapan BNI’ is able to promote the 30 traditional Indonesian culinary icons as well as to present the greatness of the name of Indonesia.

Through this program, it is expected to make significant contribution to the advancement of the national economy in the future, especially in the creative sector. Culinary sector is the largest contributor in the creative economy.

32 % of the creative economy consists of culinary sector with a value of Rp .

200.86 billion that absorb around 3-4 million workers. It is a great potential. ( eka elisa )

Photo Eka Elisa

Photo Eka Elisa

Indonesian Steps to Become World Fashion Hub

I

ndonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2014 includes local wisdom and becomes the evidence of Indonesia’s determination to become the fashion hub of the world in 2025.

“All parties involved need to understand that this activity is part of our larger vision to become the fashion hub of the world. Therefore since the last year’s implementation we have already had the blueprint framework to make it happen,” said Mari Elka Pangestu, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.

The division of tasks has been arranged among the four ministries involved in the event that includes the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises. Besides the support from associations, businesses, academia, media and the community is also now greater, Mari said.

The 3rd Indonesia Fashion Week which takes place on February 20-23, 2014 featured the works of fashion containing local values but still following the world trend. Currently, she said, a good cooperation between the designers and retailers have produced ready to wear clothes.

“In 2013, the contribution of the fashion industry in the creative economy was in the second position with as much as Rp 181 trillion. Opportunities to develop the fashion industry in the country is huge especially with the increasing number of middle class people in this country,” she said.

The seriousness of four ministries related to fashion is embodied with the program that develops labels and designs. The program is looking for local value (local wisdom) that can not be separated from the trend of the world, including adjusting the use of raw materials textile that are environmentally friendly because consumers’ tastes are concerned with the green products.

According to Mari, local movement, among others, is to make the trend of Indonesia. Kemenparekraf and the Association of Indonesian Fashion Designers Entrepreneurs (APPMI) as IFW 2014 organizers make a joint organization the Indonesia Trend Forecasting as one of the steps to be one of the fashion centers of the world.

Euis Saedah, Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry of Industry, Dody Edward, Director of Product Development and Export Products Ministry of Trade and Emilia

Suhaemi, Deputy Head of Marketing and Business Network Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs. Indonesia Fashion Week that emphasizes the business side was also attended by Shinta Wijaya, representing the Association of Indonesian Entrepreneurs (APINDO), Wulan Tilaar, Chairperson Martina Bertho and other sponsor representatives from Bank Negara Indonesia and PT Garuda Indonesia.

Euis Saidah expressed her excitement for the IFW 2014 this time raw materials like fabrics with distinctive uniqueness of Indonesia such as silk, hemp, banana fiber, pineapple absorbency and ulap doyo can be processed into superior fashion products with natural colors.

“Green fashion is flourishing and last year we held Swarna Fest that created a community called Fashion Love Earth. We will continue to explore the local raw materials that are environmentally friendly,” said Euis.

Taruna explained that IFW 2014 is enlivened by the participation of 447 fashion brands and covered by 187 media. “The event is getting bigger so APPMI desperately need much support to make Indonesia Fashion Week more global.” ( * ) 35 | Paradiso March, 2014

Event & Destination

IFW 2014:

Bali

East Manggarai

Bali

37 | Paradiso January - February, 2014

Nyepi Day 2014

Photo By Sonny Tumbelaka

Bali

Nyepi Day has Made Bali a Unique Island

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Photo By Sonny Tumbelaka

A Balinese guard in a sarong talks into a walkie-talkie as he walks along an empty street in Bali’s world-famous Kuta beach district as the Indonesian holiday island shut down for a day of silence to mark Nyepi, the Hindu new year on March. Retailers closed their shops and many tourists stayed inside their hotels for the a day of reflection that is supposed to be free from daily routine, including work and play. Guards with sticks and traditional daggers enforced the public observance among the Hindu-majority population.

Photo By Sonny Tumbelaka

40 | Paradiso March, 2014

very religion or culture all over the world has their own way to define and celebrate their new year. For example, the Chinese have the Imlek year and to celebrate it, have, as they called it in their own language, “Gong Xi Fat Choy�. The Moslem societies have their Muharam year, and any of the people over the world using the Gregorian calendar, celebrate the New Year on January 1st.

The same thing also occurs in Bali, however the Balinese use many different calendar systems. They have adopted the Gregorian calendar for business and government purposes.

But for the endless procession of holy days, temple anniversaries, celebrations, sacred dances, building houses, wedding ceremonies, death and cremation processes and other activities that define Balinese life, they have two calendar systems. The first is the Pawukon (from the word Wuku which means week) and Sasih (which is means month). Wuku consists of 30 items starting from Sinta, the first Wuku and end up with the Watugunung the last one. The Pawukon, a 210-day ritual calendar brought over from Java in the 14th century, is a complex cycle of numerological conjunctions that provides the basic schedule for ritual activities on Bali. Sasih, a parallel system of Indian origin, is a twelve month lunar calendar that starts with the vernal equinox and is equally important in determining when to pay respect to the Gods.

Westerners open the New Year in revelry, however, in contrast, the Balinese open their New Year in silence. This is called Nyepi Day, the Balinese day of Silence, which falls on the day following the dark moon of the spring equinox, and opens a new year of the Saka Hindu era which began in 78 A.D. Nyepi is a day to make and keep the balance of nature. It is based on the story of when King Kaniska I of India was chosen in 78 A.D. The King was famous for his wisdom and tolerance for the Hinduism and Buddhism societies. In that age, Aji Saka did Dharma Yatra (the missionary tour to promote and spread Hinduism) to Indonesia and introduce the Saka year.

Photo By Sonny Tumbelaka

The lead upto Nyepi day is as follows:

Photo By Sonny Tumbelaka

Melasti or Mekiyis or Melis (three days before Nyepi)


Tawur Kesanga (the day before Nyepi)


Melasti is meant to clean the pratima or arca or pralingga (statue), with symbols that help to concentrate the mind in order to become closer to God. The ceremony is aimed to clean all nature and its content, and also to take the Amerta (the source for eternal life) from the ocean or other water resources (ie lake, river, etc). Three days before Nyepi, all the effigies of the Gods from all the village temples are taken to the river in long and colourful ceremonies.

There, they have are bathed by the Neptune of the Balinese Lord, the God Baruna, before being taken back home to their shrines.

Exactly one day before Nyepi, all villages in Bali hold a large exorcism ceremony at the main village cross road, the meeting place of demons. They usually make Ogoh-ogoh (the fantastic monsters or evil spirits or the Butha Kala made of bamboo) for carnival purposes. The Ogoh-ogoh monsters symbolize the evil spirits surrounding our environment which have to be got rid of from our lives . The carnivals themselves are held all over Bali following sunset. Bleganjur, a Balinese gamelan music accompanies the procession.

Some are giants taken from classical Balinese lore. All have fangs, bulging

41 | Paradiso March, 2014

Bali eyes and scary hair and are illuminated by torches.The procession is usually organised by the Seka Teruna, the youth organisation of Banjar. When Ogohogoh is being played by the Seka Teruna, everyone enjoys the carnival. In order to make a harmonic relation between human being and God, human and human, and human and their environments, Tawur Kesanga is performed in every level of society, from the people’s house.

In the evening, the Hindus celebrating Ngerupuk, start making noises and light burning torches and set fire to the Ogoh-ogoh in order to get the Bhuta Kala, evil spirits, out of our lives.

Nyepi On Nyepi day itself, every street is quiet - there are nobody doing their normal daily activities. There is usually Pecalangs (traditional Balinese security man) who controls and checks for street security. Pecalang wear a black uniform and a Udeng or Destar (a Balinese traditional “hat” that is usually used in ceremony). The Pecalangs main task is not only to control the security of the street but also to stop any activities that disturb Nyepi. No traffic is allowed, not only cars but also people, who have to stay in their own houses. Light is kept to a minimum or not at all, the radio or TV is turned down and, of course, no one works. Even love making, this ultimate activity of all leisure times, is not supposed to take place, nor even attempted. The whole day is simply filled with the barking of a few dogs, the shrill

Photo By Sonny Tumbelaka

42 | Paradiso March, 2014

of insect and is a simple long quiet day in the calendar of this otherwise hectic island. On Nyepi the world expected to be clean and everything starts anew, with Man showing his symbolic control over himself and the “force” of the World, hence the mandatory religious control.

Ngembak Geni (the day after Nyepi)

Ngembak is the day when Catur Berata Penyepian is over and Hindus societies usually visit to forgive each other and doing the Dharma Canthi. Dharma Canthi are activities of reading Sloka, Kekidung, Kekawin, etc.(ancient scripts containing songs and lyrics).

From the religious and philosophy point of view, Nyepi is meant to be a day of self introspection to decide on values, eg humanity, love, patience, kindness, etc., that should kept forever. Balinese Hindus have many kind of celebrations (some sacred days) but Nyepi is, perhaps the most important of the island’s religious days and the prohibitions are taken seriously, particularly in villages outside of Bali’s southern tourist belt. Hotels are exempt from Nyepi’s rigorous practices but streets outside will be closed to both pedestrians and vehicles (except for airport shuttles or emergency vehicles) and village wardens (Pecalang) will be posted to keep people off the beach. So wherever you happen to be staying on Nyepi Day in Bali, this will be a good day to spend indoors. Indeed Nyepi day has made Bali a unique island. (indo.com)

Photo By Sonny Tumbelaka

Experiencing Nyepi 2014 in Bali For most tourists and expats, Nyepi can be an inconvenience but it can also be an amazing experience to see. It’s a great time to sleep, read a book or do something that doesn’t involve travelling that you’ve been putting off. It could also be a day to spend with your family. For those travelling alone, this is often a lonely day. You may find that you are best spending a couple of days in the Gili Islands while the commemorations come to an end but these islands do get crowded! Make sure you

book in advanced!

If you stay in Bali on the Day of Silence, just go along with the day and enjoy the relaxing time.

This could be a great time for those staying in the busiest places, like Kuta, so you can get your bearings and enjoy the quiet for the day. Nyepi is definitely something different and original and you will never experience it anywhere else in the world!

When Will Nyepi 2014 be?

Nyepi is one of the Indonesian Public Holiday 2014, the observance date will fall on Monday, 31 March 2014

Bali

BLOOD DRIVE

PROGRAM AT RISATA BALI RESORT & SPA

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isata Bali Resort & Spa and Bali Hotels Association launched “The Blood Drive Program 2014” campaign. The campaign, which coincides with Risata Bali Resort & Spa’s 23rd Anniversary celebrations, includes 1 day of blood drives on 21 February 2014.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of donating blood and move Bali closer to meeting its blood supply needs. All blood collected through the blood drives goes directly to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) located at Sanglah Hospital Bali.

As part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility programme, staff members and guest from the Resort and members of Bali Ho-

tels Association actively participated in this event in order to ‘give back’ to the local community. Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their pulse rate, blood pressure, uric acid and osteoporosis level supported by

Surya Husada Hospital and Anlene.

It is worth mentioning that the campaign was concluded with 50 blood units collected from staff and Indonesian Red Cross will distribute these life-saving donations free of charge to needy people.***

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THE TABLE TOP OF TSUNAMI READY AT PATRA JASA BALI RESORT & VILLAS

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atra Jasa Bali Resort & Villas is a five-star hotel located at South of Kuta beach which is a favorite holiday destination for public figures, business travellers, families, and honeymooners, where the security and comfort are absolute requirements in tourism industry.

Recently Patra Jasa Bali Resort & Villas participated in the Table Top of Tsunami Ready and Public Test Certification Disaster Preparedness which was held

by Regional Disaster Management Board (BPBD) of Bali Province. Management Team of Patra Jasa Bali Resort & Villas was very enthusiastic in joining this event and an honor for Patra Jasa Bali Resort & Villas getting the first opportunity in this event and a positive response from Team BPBD of Bali Province.

Seen in the picture Management of Patra Jasa Bali Resort & Villas along with Team BPBD of Bali Province at The Gianyar Meeting Room – Patra Jasa Bali Resort & Villas.

43 | Paradiso March, 2014

Bali

A PRIDE TO BE PROUD OF

Two newly born lion cubs at Bali Safari & Marine Park

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wo new lion cubs were born on 28 January to mother Icha and they have been gaining weight steadily and growing on their mother’s milk. They will receive their first physical examination by the veterinarian staff of Bali Safari & Marine Park.

These two cubs are still to be named and the lion keepers will be watching them closely to pick out names that best describe their character.

Tim Husband, Bali Safari & Marine Park’s Animal Curator stated, “We are very

44 | Paradiso March, 2014

proud of our lions. We have the deepest gene pool of lions in Indonesia with 7 different blood lines. This means with careful breeding we will never have the problem of inbreeding.

These cubs will in time become part of our breeding program and may even help other zoos better improve their blood lines. In the meantime these two bundles of fur need only to worry about growing up and being part of the pride at Bali Safari & Marine Park.

A LONG WAIT BUT WELL WORTH IT

A newly born elephant calf joins the herd at Bali Safari & Marine Park

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aiting for 645 days or close to 22 months is a long time but well worth it. On 22 January 2014 Bali Safari & Marine Park once again showed the world why they are one of Indonesia’s leading wildlife park with the birth of yet another elephant calf. Arriving into the world in the very early hour this female baby elephant weighing 72 kilograms has been a great addition to the very healthy herd housed at the park.

Tim Husband, Bali Safari & Marine Park’s Animal Curator stated,

“We have not named this little girl yet but she has found a place in the hearts of the elephant keepers and she is always very close to her mother Teresa. This young female elephant will in time play a vital role in the breeding program of this endangered animal. Elephants as well as many other animals held in Bali Safari & Marine Park are part of planned breeding program that we conduct here. We are always careful to pair up the right male and the right female and as in the case with this new baby elephant, the planning is done years in advance.”

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STANDING TALL

The First Born Giraffe in Bali

raceful, tall and handsome that is how most people describe him. This long necked beau was born at the beginning of the year in the most serene park setting in Bali.

He was welcomed by his proud parents and the staff at Bali Safari & Marine Park.

The young male baby giraffe came into the world in the early morning of Thursday, 2nd January 2014, weighting 65 kg and standing 2 metres in height, making him the tallest baby in the world.

This definitely was an intense moment as this baby was the first Giraffe ever born in Bali, and one of very few ever born in Indonesia.

The mother, Sofi, a 4 year old who is part of a breeding program in Bali Safari and Marine Park. Sofi gave birth after a 15 months gestation and the baby was able to stand up within one hour after birth.

The Giraffe is the tallest living terrestrial animal the adult can grow up to 5 to 6 meters height with approximately up to 2 tons in weight.

Tim Husband, Bali Safari & Marine Park’s Animal Curator stated,” This

unique and fantastic animal is one of our finest exhibited animals. The new born baby giraffe is just one of the Parks many success stories, and it is a testament to Bali Safari & Marine Park’s continuous dedication, commitment to conservation and education. Breeding program like this have enabled Bali Safari & Marine Park to be listed as the only “A” class accredited park in Bali, it’s not just the planned births of many animals that lifts Bali Safari & Marine Park above other Zoos, it is also the care given by our vets and staff that makes us a leader in Bali. 2014 is going to be an interesting year for the park with many planned births going to happen through the year.”

Bali Safari & Marine Park as a renowned conservation and education institution is also committed to continue support the growth population of endangered animals in Indonesia such as Bali Mynah, the Sumatran Tiger and Sumatran Elephants, Banteng, Sun Bear, Binturong, Babyrussa, Asiatic Tapir, Orangutan, komodo, Slow Loris, Green peafowl, Electus parrot, just to name a few.

45 | Paradiso March, 2014

Bali

HARD ROCK HOTEL BALI PRESENTS RP. 150,000,000 CHECK

TO BALI PINK RIBBON Successful Pinktober® campaign and Rock ‘n Run events in October-November 2013 raised much-needed funds for the women of Bali who are fighting breast cancer

I

n the spirit of its brand mantra “TAKE TIME TO BE KIND”, Hard Rock Hotel Bali donated some Rp. 150,000,000,to Bali Pink Ribbon, as a result of month-long Pinktober® campaign in October 2013 and the charity fun run event, Rock ‘n Run the 13th Chapter in November 2013. The cheque was presented by Andrew Khoo, M.I.H, the General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel Bali to Bali Pink Ribbon at Centerstage on Friday, 14 February 2014. Sponsors and partners were also present during the cheque presentation, showing great support for Bali Pink Ribbon and the cause. Held on Valentine’s Day, the event inspired everyone to share our love for the cancer-fighting women of Bali who are less fortunate and may not have access to reliable information on

46 | Paradiso March, 2014

how to be cured.

Pinktober® is a global initiative by Hard Rock locations around the world, which aims to raise breast cancer awareness and funds in the effort to fight breast cancer. On October 2013, the campaign included a Pink Room, a pink-decorated Deluxe Premium Room with a set of pink amenities and benefits, offered at the Hotel’s website.

The good cheer continued with Pinktober® Party on Wednesday, 16 October 2013, with a special performance by Ms. Shena Malsiana. Rock n’ Run is an annual charity event organized by Hard Rock Hotel Bali, supported by event partners and sponsors, with New Balance, Asia Miles and Telkomsel as the main sponsors. In 2013, the Rock ‘n Run the 13th Chapter was held with

tremendous participation from the public. More than 600 people turned up to participate and the event managed to sell almost 2,000 shirts. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting the cause. Our shout out goes to the women living at the ends of Bali, at remote villages that may be fighting cancer now, we hear you and we care about you! Thank you Bali Pink Ribbon, sponsors and partners for the ongoing support”, said Andrew Khoo.

During the cheque presentation, Mayke Boestami, Secretary of the Board, Bali Pink Ribbon gave highest appreciation for all the fundraising efforts. “Bali Pink Ribbon is forever grateful for everyone that participated in Pinktober and Rock ‘n Run. Your kindness mean everything to the wome

Ibis Styles Bali Kuta Dewi Sri presents a new fusion between true comfort, prime location and unique design

Accor welcomes the newest addition to its Bali hotel network, with the grand opening of ibis Styles Bali Kuta Dewi Sri. This new ibis Styles property is the perfect choice for travellers looking for stylish accommodations at an affordable, all-inclusive price in Bali. The hotel is ideally located in the famous Kuta area, blocks away from Legian and Seminyak and within walking distance of world-class dining, shopping and nightlife.

The grand opening ceremony, which featured a Panjembrama – a traditional Balinese welcoming dance – was graced by a number VVIP guests including Adrianto Mulia, President Director PT. Bali Livio Utama and Gerard Guillouet – Senior Vice President for Accor Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Gerard Guillouet said, “We are very excited to open ibis Styles Bali Kuta Dewi Sri. The hotel is uniquely designed and really stands out in a great location. Ibis Styles Bali Kuta Dewi Sri is a wonderful addition to the rapidly growing network of ibis Styles hotels and we look forward to welcoming both leisure and business travellers to the hotel.”

The hotel’s 114 rooms are geared for relaxation featuring a 32” LCD flat screen TV with an extensive international channel selection, comfortable double beds and big soft duvets. The hotel is also the first ibis Styles in Bali equipped with comfy bolsters in every room. For business travellers, a work-

ing desk and Wi-Fi Internet access ensure seamless connectivity and productivity. Rooms also feature walk-in showers, hair dryers, tea/coffee making facilities, minibars, and in-room safes.

The Family Rooms can accommodate up to four people and have a bathtub, shower and sofa bed. Other room types include Standard Double Bed and Standard Twin Bed. “The design of ibis Styles Bali Kuta Dewi Sri exemplifies the unique and flexible characteristics of the ibis Styles brand. The hotel offers an exceptional way to enjoy the unique and charming Balinese culture combined with the simplicity, brightness and conviviality of the ibis Styles brand,” said Tantiarini Hidayati, General Manager of ibis Styles Bali Kuta Dewi Sri. The all-inclusive offer includes an all-you-can eat breakfast buffet, with a choice of fruit juices, tea, coffee, fresh pastries, cereals, fruits and local foods such as fried rice, chicken porridge and more, plus free Wi-Fi Internet throughout the hotel and some extra touches, including newspapers and complimentary gimmick.

The all-day sTREATs restaurant serves an international menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a view of the swimming pool. The relaxing lounge bar provides a wide selection of cocktails, mocktails and drinks, and stretches across two floors, with an open-air on the first floor overlooking Dewi Sri Street.

The hotel also offers 100% non-smok

ing rooms, a pool deck bar, an outdoor swimming pool with a kids’ pool and a kids’ corner. Guests can stay connected using the hotel’s Internet corner. With two naturally-lit meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 80 guests and audio-visual equipment available for rent, let ibis Styles Bali Kuta Dewi Sri make your next event in Bali a success.

Ibis Styles Bali Kuta Dewi Sri was designed with sustainability in mind, with environmentally-friendlier features such as low-energy light bulbs, water-saving fixtures and recycling facilities. In addition, the hotel participates in Plant for the Planet, Accor’s innovative towel and linen reuse programme, which has financed the planting of over 3 million trees worldwide since 2009.

The hotel is 15 minutes away from Ngurah Rai International Airport, with Kuta Central Park, the business district and a hypermarket located within walking distance.

Ibis Styles Bali Kuta Dewi Sri promotion To celebrate its opening, ibis Styles Bali Kuta Dewi Sri is offering “Great Price, Great Location with ibis Family Indonesia” – an attractive, dynamic introductory offer that includes free breakfast, free Wi-Fi internet access and an IDR 50,000 dining voucher. Book before 15 February 2014 for stays between now and 31 March 2014. For more details, visit www.ibisstyles.com/8451.

47 | Paradiso March, 2014

Bali

Accor introduces a new ibis Styles hotel in Bali

Bali

Melaspas Cermony and Opening of HARRIS Hotel Tuban- Bali New Facility HARRIS Hotel Tuban Bali as a hotel that bears the healthy lifestyle conducted melaspas ceremony, which is traditional Balinese ceremony to clean the clean negative element from new site of the building, for the project of additional rooms and other facilities.

The implementation of melaspas ceremony was led by a female priest and followed by most of HARRIS Tuban employees. The ceremony was then con-

48 | Paradiso March, 2014

tinued with the cutting of tumpeng (cone rice) by Mr. Yudi Alamsyah as the Manager of HARRIS Tuban and Mr. Christophe Glass as the Brand Director of HARRIS Hotel. “Besides as a ceremony to purify the new building, the event was also intended to introduce the addition of rooms from 66 to 147 rooms and other facilities that include Meeting room, Spa, Fitness center and business center,� said Yudi Alamsyah.

Bali

49 | Paradiso January - February, 2014