Page 44 • MICE Asia-Pacific — Autumn 2005

BaliBali

Where do Bali visitors start to fully enjoy the island’s extensive hospitality —acknowledged by readers of the USA based magazine Leisure & Travel as the World’sBest Island Destination and as Time Asia magazine’s favourite holiday spot?

Getting there is increasingly easy.Besides the usual Australian carriers,Air Paradise International now servesmajor cities with good frequency andGaruda Indonesia maintains itsnetwork from Australia to Bali andother Indonesian and internationaldestinations.

Good news for first timers to theisland is that Bali has something foreveryone, and actually delivers on thatpromise. While culture and the arts arethe island’s claim to fame, there ismuch more to discover, both aboveand below the water. World-classresorts offer the highest level ofaccommodation and service, whileother traditional alternatives offersimplicity or home-stay experiences.

Growth in the range of diningoptions makes “eating Bali” anotherattraction. A different type of worldcuisine with atmosphere and uniqueexperience can be enjoyed every day ofany stay. All hotels feature at least onerestaurant. Locally-produced beersand wines add to the dining experi-ence.

When the sun goes down, Kutabecomes party central, with a wealthof entertainment and nightlife optionsfrom which to choose. From pub-hopping and bawdy entertainment toall-night dance scenes, a choice isfound along the main strip. Moresophisticated evening options combinedining with cultural entertainment andatmosphere. The party scene goesmore upscale the further north youwander. The island’s best dining andmost colourful and sophisticatednightlife now centres around JalanDhayanapura and Jalan Laksmana(aka Oberoi road).

A shopaholic’s dream come true,there’s nothing that can not be foundor discovered, if one takes the time tolook. Local handicrafts and garments,branded goods produced for export,elegant furnishings and decorator

Local beers and wines add to Bali's traditional sea and sun

MICE visitors now have more to do,with upmarket options added daily

MICE Asia-Pacific — Autumn 2005 • PAGE 45

items — the range is limited only by thelength of time visitors have to explore.

The many sights and excursions onoffer can keep visitors active on theisland for days. Museums and architec-tural wonders, temples and animalparks, whitewater rafting and adven-ture activities, golfing or trekking —the options outnumber the days of theyear.

Beyond spectacular white, gold andblack sand beaches, Bali is famedamong the international surfing set asone of “the” places to catch waves.Diving and snorkelling sites rivalAustralia’s famed Great Barrier Reef,yet are little known, and therefore lesscrowded and more enjoyable. Thesurrounding warm Indian Oceanwaters also can be explored by cruis-ing, ocean rafting, by traditional fishingprahu or on a deep sea fishing charter.

Even those who seek solitude,relaxation, reflection or anonymity willfind their place in the sun. Bali is Asia’stop spa destination, with some of theworld’s most noted treatment centres.Traditional healing is a way of life forBalinese, and their formulas and

techniques have risen to internationalstandards.

Spiritual retreats are in specialisedresorts or simple Buddhists temples,which welcome seekers with relaxation,therapy or challenges for the body, mindand soul. Bali is a living yet evolvingmuseum. The Balinese gracefully sharetheir artistic, architectural, cultural andreligious traditions. Yet, perhapsnowhere else on earth do these tradi-tions so easily blend into the modernworld such that two become as one.

A vibrant culture, unique arts ceremo-nies, friendly people and scenic beautymake Bali almost unreal in today’schanging world and it is therefore themain destination for tourists to Indone-sia. Bali’s International airport, NgurahRai, is the nation’s eastern gateway,served by numerous internationalairlines and charter flights.

A major attraction of Bali is its uniqueart and culture. It almost seems thatevery person is an artist in some form,whether it is painting, weaving, carving,basketry or creating decorations for themany shrines in public areas, on roads,paddy fields, or in homes. Villagers

spend their time in these arts, which aretaught to them from a very young age.The soul of the Balinese, which issteeped in religion, finds its expressionin the arts. Bahasa Indonesia is thenational language, but English is widelyspoken.

Only rupiah (Indonesian currency) isacceptable at local stores and restau-rants. Most hotels, restaurants andsouvenir shops accept certain foreigncurrencies and credit cards. The Indone-

Continued next page.

Page 46 • MICE Asia-Pacific — Autumn 2005

BaliBali

sian rupiah is available in note denominations of 100,000,50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500 and 100. Coins areavailable in denominations of 1,000, 500, 200, 100, and 50.You can buy rupiah at foreign exchange banks and otherauthorised moneychangers on presentation of your passport.The exchange rate fluctuates regularly, so check your bank forthe latest rates. The exchange rate for US$1 is the same as Rp.8500. The use of travellers' cheques in Indonesia is as popularas in any other country. Diners Club and American Express,Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted at hotels, departmentstores, shops, restaurants and nightclubs. According to Indone-sian banking regulations, payment by credit cards is charged inlocal currency. Some merchants apply a three-five per centsurcharge for credit card transactions.

MAKING THE MOST OF

YOUR TIME IN BALIBUSINESS travellers have common experiences at the end of afull day in a conference room or corporate meeting. ‘Down’time is often limited and those in a hurry need to make themost of the few hours available before catching the nextinternational flight.

Fortunately, Bali is compact enough to allow easy access toall that the island has to offer. In addition, it is not short of thethree elements that allow a harassed executive to chill out: spas,golf and good food.

For starters, taxis are embarrassingly cheap so don’t be stingywhen it comes to tipping the driver with a 5000 rupiah note—that’s about A$0.75 cents.

Several governments, including those of the UK, US andAustralia have travel warnings on Indonesia, including Bali.Heed these warnings. Don’t make yourself an easy target. Butbe realistic.

Having said that, security in Bali has improved enormously.Hotels now have thorough checks of all vehicles entering theirpremises. The Bali Police have surveyed and certified safetyconditions at most top star-rated hotels. And more than ever,the Balinese go out of their way to make a visitor feel safe andwelcome.

MICE FACILITIESMICE events are no longer limited to Nusa Dua. Extensive

facilities span the island for events large and small. A goodplace to start the selection process is at Bali Hotel Association’s(formerly Casa Grande Bali) web site

Travellers' cheques ok

Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resortadds golf breaks in meeting packages.

Continued page 48.

MICE Asia-Pacific — Autumn 2005 • PAGE 47

The five-star Discovery Kartika Plaza is set among spacious tropical gardens, along the best beachfrontlocation on famous South Kuta Beach. Banquet and convention facilities encompass a pillarless conven-tion hall and ballroom, styled after a Balinese palace. With capacity of 350 to 830 persons, it also providesgenerous pre-function areas. Three breakout rooms are ideal for up to 200 persons each. Combinedconference facilities with ancillary outdoor space and warehouse access facilities exhibitions and tradeshows — the only such vast venue in Kuta.

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MICE Asia-Pacific — Autumn 2005 • PAGE 49

(www.balihotelsassociation.com). Thisone-stop shop links to nearly 63 star-rated hotel members, providing an idealresource for checking-out facilities. And,you can win a free stay in Bali byregistering on the site and receiveregular news and product updates.

Aside from the extensive facilities atBali International Convention Centre,the adjacent Sheraton Laguna offersintimate boutique-style surroundingswith just 270 rooms, and meeting roomsfor up to 400. It has a newly redesignedAtisaya Spa.

Having completed upgrades andrefurbishments to its Executive andJunior suites and villas, Melia Bali Villas& Spa Resort becomes a choice loca-tion. A variety of meeting venues, for upto 400 seated, brings Melia Bali into acompetitive zone.

In nearby Tanjung Benoa, Aston BaliResort & Spa specialises in small tomedium size conferences, emphasisingpersonal service and attention to detail.The resort has a variety of event venuesand 168 rooms. Bali InterContinental is

the cornerstone of MICE activity inJimbaran. Eight function rooms and adivisible ballroom are only some of theservices and facilities offered. With overa quarter of a century of experiencecatering to island events, Bali Hyattremains one of the island’s premierproperties. The truly classic Balinesestyle resort is beachfront in Sanur.

Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel offers

Kuta’s largest meeting location, withmore than 1500 sqm of function space.Wireless conference registration facili-ties, electronic pre registration andconference management are unique tothe resort’s @Break business centre.Discovery Mall is a huge new additionto the Discovery complex, making thisthe biggest property on the block.

Neighbouring Ramada Bintang Balicaters for events up to 400 people with awide range of facilities. RamayanaResort & Spa, conveniently locatedbetween Kuta Square and Kuta Centreshopping malls and above KutaSidewalk Arcade, has added a newResort club, with 10 super deluxe roomsoverlooking gardens and pool or KutaBay with sunset views. The club loungeserves breakfast and afternoon tea.Risata Bali Resort & Spa has anotherkind of club, with a RCI HolidayOwnership system. White Rose is one ofLegian’s hidden secrets. An oasis in theheart of the chaos, budget rates buyspacious and well-appointed rooms inquiet gardens-just steps away from Kutanightlife and dining. Mandira Hotel,Legian, recently doubled its capacitywith the addition of new pool-viewrooms. Jayakarta Hotel & Residence inLegian provides full conference supportservices with a 324-sqm convention halland separate committee room. Acomplement of 278 rooms and 166apartments rounds out accommodation.

Win a free stay...

Continued next page.

Beach front massage atthe Bali InterContinental— the cornerstone inMICE activity in Jimbarin.

BaliBali

beach is pristine and ideal for incentiveevents, without the hassle of the vendorstrying to peddle their wares.” Keith Bell,the hotel’s general manager, said 2004was a rebound year for Bali in allsegments, including MICE.

Bell said 2005 would be better that2004 results. “Momentum is building inboth domestic and international meet-ings; 2005 should be a great year formeetings in Bali.”

Sharon Lee, director of marketing /vice-president sales Sol Melia Hotels &Resorts, said Bali is well on the way orachieve pre-bombing levels for FITbookings but believes the MICE interna-tional market is still catching up. “Thedifference is that Bali FIT bookings hadshifted from Europeans to Intra-AsiaMICE business compared to the previ-ous international MICE business. There

are several major conferences booked atBali International Convention centre(BICC) this year and in 2006 and ourposition close to the centre is a bigadvantage.” Lee plans to encourage theIndonesia Tourism Board to target moreinternational marketing campaigns tosecure MICE for Bali.

The Melia Bali Villas & Spa Resorthas completed its 500 guests roomrenovation and added new Deluxe andFamily suite room categories. “We alsohave expanded our business centre andadded a new jogging track,” added Lee.

Ritz-Carlton Bali director of sales &marketing Paul Czuba said the resort’smeetings business increased 10 per centin 2004.

“In 2005 we are very optimistic of anincrease in the number of visitorscoming to Bali.

“International MICE and the incen-tives business is increasing, especiallyfrom the regional market,” said Czuba.

Continued from page 34.

Bali booming...

Page 50 • MICE Asia-Pacific — Autumn 2005

There’s more to Bali thanmeetings, and many resortscater to that corporateescape or luxurious pre- orpost-event holiday.

Villa Lumbung is in theheart of Bali’s elegant

restaurant district. The private compound of individual anddistinctive villas is a special hideaway. Villa Sienna is anotherof those hidden treasures in the heart of Seminyak. Thedeceptive back road location opens into a compound of villasaround lush gardens. This is the perfect setting for privateevents and corporate escapes, with penthouse-style accommo-dations adjacent.

The Villas & Prana Spa is just what the CEO ordered forsmall meetings in a private villa with exquisite relaxationadded at the island’s latest destination spa. Privacy and simpleelegance make this a choice spot.

Kamandalu Resort & Spa caters to privacy and honey-mooners, with a ravine-view location north of Ubud. How-ever, it has conference facilities for up to 150 people andcaters for banqueting.

WHERE TO EATBali’s fine dining options have greatly improved in the last

year or two, although the prices have moved in line with thequality.

You could be adventurous and try one of the many fish cafesclamouring for your custom on Jimbaran Beach, but if timewere short, you would be better getting your fork into seriousfood.

Good choices would include Kerobokan’s Kafe Warisan,where an alfresco courtyard overlooking paddy fields comple-ments a boutique, art gallery and French restaurant. Trattoriais another winner in Pettitinget-with a new second venue-as isFaces at the The Bali in Nusa Dua.

In Ubud, Mosaic, Terrazo and Lamak are among the front-runners.

Tepan Noodle at the Discovery Kartika Plaza in Tubanserves an Asian Noodle a la carte menu as well as Japaneseteppanyaki, right on the beach. Or, if you’re in the mood forItalian try Discovery’s La Cucina, which specialises in al frescoItalian food.

The popular Kori Restaurant in Poppies Lane 2 Kuta has arelaxing bar with an exclusive range of international wines andexotic cocktails. Kori offers a modern international cuisine in atraditional Balinese setting where you’ll dine on fresh seafoodand succulent grills.

For delegates wanting to stay close to the sporting actionwhilst in Bali, the Stadium Café is the perfect place to meet.With all-day dining in a warm, friendly atmosphere patrons

Popular KoriRestaurant in PoppiesLane ...

BaliBali

Continued page 52.

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can watch live sports events from acrossthe world, football, rugby, soccer, GrandPrix, basket ball, boxing, baseball andmany other “Sportacular” events livedaily on giant screen.

INDULGENCEIndulge yourself in the “Javanese

Lulur” — a traditional Indonesianpreparation — that smooths, softensand exfoliates the skin at the Nusa DuaResort Spa. Originating in central Java,within the royal palaces of Jogjakartaand Solo, the tradition of “lulur” and itsregional ingredients of turmeric,sandalwood, sweet woods and spiceroots, make this a popular choice.

The Bali Hyatt Spa is a sanctuarywithin the Bali Hyatt Resort at Sanurwhere you can rejuvenate your body andsoul with the proven healing power ofaromatherapy and massage treatments.Treatments are individual or in person-alised packages.

Tjampuhan Spa in Ubud has a carvedstone grotto and offers private therapypavilions that open on to views of thesacred Oos and Tjampuhan Rivers. A

Taman Burung Bird Park has acollection of rare and exotic birds

from all over the world.

BaliBali

Spa Adventure Package, which beginswith an invigorating half-day trekthrough the peaceful riverside andtraditional villages, concludes withtreatments at the spa.

Maya Ubud Spa is thought by manyto offer the island’s best spa experience.Individual mahogany spa pavilions areset amidst the rainforest and overlookthe swirling waters of the river, onlymetres below. Specialities include arelaxing Balinese massage, naturalfacials and organic body scrub.

New and highly recommended is ChillReflexology at The Villas in Seminyak.The contemporary clean-line design ofthe salon provide a cool, calmingatmosphere. Chill compliments TheVillas' up-market Prada Spa facility andoffers an alternative experience foranyone who may not want a full bodymassage. Reflexology treatments areexcellent and only fine quality productsare used. Rates start at just 80,000rupiah + tax for one hour (less thanA$15).

ATTRACTIONSSail Sensations’ luxurious 87-foot

yacht offers you the choice of a visitBali’s neighbour islands during the dayor to enjoy an intimate fine diningexperience for the evening at NusaLembongan Island which is renownedfor excellence in service, food, music,ambience and exclusivity. Exquisitevillas and a beach club for day visitors

From page 50.

MICE Asia-Pacific — Autumn 2005 • PAGE 53

make this a total destination experience.

Sobek — White Water Rafting is aleading adventure tour operator thatoffers guests the opportunity to experi-ence the ‘real’ Bali with a touch ofadventure. Sobek’s tours includewhitewater rafting, cycling, trekking and4WD adventure tours.

Taman Burung Bird Park, approxi-mately 40 minutes drive from the Kutaarea has a collection of rare and exoticbirds from all over the world. It alsohouses the famous Komodo dragon. Theadjacent Reptile Park features all shapesof creepy crawlers and one of the largestLemon Python snakes in captivity-whichloves to be in photos with visitors.

Bali Adventure covers the island withits soft adventure tours, from whitewater rafting to cycling through thecountryside. The Elephant Park at Tarovillage is the company’s most excitingoutlet. Sumatran elephants trek throughthe surrounding forest with guestsastride and some of the pachydermshave a penchant for painting, putting abrush to canvas in strikingly interestingcreations.

Bali has some outstanding golfcourses. Choose from the NirwanaBali Golf Club at Tanah Lot, the BaliGolf and Country Club at Nusa Duaor the Bali Handara Kosaido CountryClub.

Nirwana Bali Golf was namedAsia’s best course for four consecutiveyears. The Greg Norman-designedcourse features working rice paddiesin the rough, with fairways laced bycreeks and dotted with authentic

Le Meridien Nirwana Bali Golf was namedAsia’s best course for four consecutive years.

Hindu temples. The stunning 7th holelies across an Indian Ocean inlet, soplayers have a challenging tee off acrossthe water. Le Meridien Nirwana Golf& Spa Resort adds golf breaks inmeeting packages.

SHOPPINGMain tourist roads often are lined

with shops and stalls selling crafts of alltypes. Ubud (25 km north of Denpasar)and the surrounding villages ofPengosekan, Mas and Batuan arefamous for ‘Kamasan style’ paintings,polished woodcarvings and antiques totraditional Balinese carvings made fromvolcanic pumice. For those who don’tlike to wander too far from the beach,Kuta and Legian have more modernshopping areas.

The Kuta shops have more than theirshare of trashy tourist items, but someof the boutique shops in Legian andSeminyak have more quality, althoughthis is reflected in the prices. For seriousshoppers Sourcing Bali(sourcingbali.com) offers speciality-shopping outings, which can focus onfashion, furniture, home wares or artsand crafts.

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Tanjung Benoa,throughout the week. Tanjung Benoa isalso a mecca for marine sports enthusi-asts. Dozens of shops and clubs rentsnorkeling and dive gear and offerwindsurfing, water-skiing, glass-bottomboats, reef fishing, jet-skiing, powerboat and banana boat rides. Only 10minutes away in Nusa Dua is the BaliGolf & Country Club, one of Asia’sbest golf courses.

On the peninsula’s tip, the quiet portof Tanjung Benoa retains a remarkable

THE SCENIC 5km-long peninsula ofTanjung Benoa, once a sleepy expanseof coconut palms and pristine beach,has been transformed into a mature andgraceful resort. Culminating in the smallharbour at its tip, the peninsula - closeto the Nusa Dua resort area - isconnected by a sinuous narrow roadpopulated by luxury hotels, privatevillas, fine restaurants, open-air cafesand numerous water sports facilities.

The relaxed rhythm of the businessesthat line Tanjung Benoa’s long finger-like road is more Costa Brava orMallorca in character than that of thefrantic pace set by the other southernBali resorts of Kuta, Legian andSeminyak. The new hotels, upscaleshops, and innovative restaurants of thepeninsula lend Tanjung Benoa aworldly air, affording tourists noshortage of shopping and diningoptions.

The peninsula’s premier hotels offerdeluxe ocean view suites and conven-tion and meeting facilities completewith audio-visual function rooms. TheAston Bali is noteworthy for its re-splendent Javanese imperial palacestyle. In the complex of the elegantGrand Mirage Resort is a thalasso-therapy spa specialising in saltwatertreatments. Closer to the tip of thePeninsula are the Novotel CoraliaBenoa Bali with its handsome coconutwood interiors, and the contemporaryBalinese-style Ramada Resort Benoa.

The whole coastal strip is known forfine restaurants and unimpeded viewsof Nusa Penida Island. Restaurateurand noted photographer Heinz vonHoltzen’s award-winning Bumbu Baliserves exquisite Balinese cuisine whiledown the road Rumah Bali caters togroups of up to several hundred and isalso the site of a fine cooking school.

Dance and theatre performances arestaged at various hotels and restaurants

village-like atmosphere. Visitors maywalk down the noisy alleyways of areal Bugis Kampong, peer into thesmoky confines of a large ChineseBuddhist temple, or stroll along thebeach southeast of Benoa past rowsof jukung fishing canoes pulled up onshore.

In Tanjung Benoa’s harbour,yachts, fishing boats and traditionalperahu bob alongside each other atanchor. Offshore in the distance is“Turtle island,” the site of sacred seatemple. The reef, lying 200 meters offthe peninsula’s northeast end, is easyto reach and has gentle current and asurprising variety of fish.

The Grand Mirage is a refined andcasual resort, located beachside only12km from Ngurah Rai InternationalAirport. It is minutes away from theBali International Convention Centre,the Bali Golf & Country Club andGalleria Shopping Mall.

Fitted with the state-of-art audio-visual equipment, the resort’s spa-cious main ballroom and meetingrooms have the combined capacity tocater to groups of up to 300.

A wide range of customised themeparties, such as a Balinese VillageDinner, Tropical Fantasy, JungleNight and East Meets West, can bearranged.

Events take place in the open air atpoolside, among the resort’s beauti-fully landscaped gardens or in theRama Theatre. The resort’s profes-sional event organisers are able tosuggest a wide variety of fun activi-ties and entertainment and culturalprograms to further enhance anevening’s enjoyment.

Bali’s Costa Brava

BaliBali

In the complex of the elegant GrandMirage Resort is a thalassotherapy spa

specialising in saltwater treatments

MICE Asia-Pacific — Autumn 2005 • PAGE 55

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ACCOR continues to strengthen its pres-ence in Bali with the launch of a new Ibisin Legian and major upgrades to itsSofitel and Mercure Resort properties.

Michel Vivier, Accor general manageroperations for East Indonesia, and GMof the Novotel Coralia Benoa Bali, saidthat with four Accor brands representedin Bali the company could sell to differ-ent levels of consumers, and enjoy econo-mies of scale in marketing and sales.

Both the Mercure Resort Sanur, andthe Sofitel Seminyak — formerly theRoyal Seminyak — have targeted themeetings and incentive markets with theirproperty additions and upgrades.

The Sofitel is well positioned for ex-ecutive meetings, incentives and corpo-rate retreats, with a main ballroom ca-tering to up to 200 participants and twosmaller break out rooms.

The Mercure which reopened in No-vember last year after an extensive re-furbishment, offers 184 fully renovatedsuperior and deluxe rooms, in addition

to five family rooms, each with privateterrace or balcony.

The Pandu Ballroom is now sound-proofed and updated with the latest au-diovisual equipment, comfortably accom-modating up to 500 people.

WiFi access is available in all meetingrooms and key public areas, and 17 guestrooms offer two phone lines includingdata ports for downloading email andlogging onto the Internet.

Novotel continues to enjoy strong sup-port in the developing Tanjong Benoaarea while Ibis is likely to be popular withthe Australian market.

“Bali is looking forward to a very goodyear in 2005,” said Vivier. “In 2001 ouroccupancy level was 73 percent. In 2005I believe it will be close to 80 per centand in August this year we are budgetingfor 96 per cent. So things are lookinggood.”

Vivier said Bali had been able toweather the storms over recent years be-

cause it’s name was strong in the mindsof the travel consumer. Bali is a brandname. Other resorts in Asia are popularbut none has the brand name of Bali.

“Added to that the price is right —Bali is less expensive than Thailand —and we have such a wide range of hotelproperties to sell.”

Vivier said Lombok — where there isa Novotel property — was also pickingup. “They’ve been achieving close to 40percent occupancy this year.”

The restoration of the regular ferryservice linking Bali with Lombok wouldbe a big help in getting visitors back toLombok, Vivier said.

He said that Bali could do even betterwith a little more help from Jakarta.

“The government still does not wantto push Bali. They still prefer to promoteIndonesia as a whole.”

Vivier said he also hoped the govern-ment would extend its visa-on-arrivalfacility to more countries.

- Accor sets out its stall in Bali -BaliBali