BALI PREPARES TO WELCOME TOURISTS AS COVID CASES DECLINE by Fardah

 Jakarta, 20/10/2021 (ANTARA) - Indonesia has seen a drastic slump in COVID-19 cases over the past several weeks, which has triggered optimism of tourism reopening, particularly in Bali, one of the most famous tourist resorts globally.

Indonesia added 903 daily COVID-19 cases on October 19, 2021, bringing the total tally to 4,236,287, the Task Force for COVID-19 Response reported. Meanwhile, it recorded 50 daily deaths, bringing the total toll to 143,049, it added.

The nation has recorded a total of 4,076,541 COVID-19 recoveries so far, as per task force data.

Despite the significant fall in the number of COVID-19 cases, the government is still urging the public to remain disciplined in implementing the health protocols by wearing face masks, washing hands frequently, and keeping a safe distance.

The authorities have also maintained the frequency of 3Ts (testing, tracing, and treatment) to prevent virus spread.

In view of the decline in cases, the government reopened the provinces of Bali and Riau Islands, which shares a maritime border with Singapore, to foreign tourists on October 14, 2021.

The government has said it will consider reopening other tourist destinations to foreign tourists if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to decline and the handling of the pandemic keeps improving.

Vaccination campaign key for revival of Bali's tourism industry by Fardah

 Jakarta, April 3, 2021 (ANTARA) - The COVID-19 pandemic has dragged Indonesia into serious public health and economic crises, like many other countries in the world.

 

Tourism has been the worst affected by the impact of the pandemic, and the tourism industry of Bali, one of the world's most famous tourist resorts, has been especially hit hard by COVID-19.

 

Since the country recorded its first confirmed cases on March 2, 2020, the Indonesian government has been determined to win the battle against COVID-19. From January 13 this year, the government  has rolled out a nationwide vaccination program to arrest the spread of infections.

 

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reviewed the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Gianyar and Denpasar, Bali province on March 16, 2021, and said he was optimistic that bringing the coronavirus infection under control would help revive the island's tourism industry around the middle of this year.

 

Accompanied by Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Tourism and Creative Economic Minister Sandiaga Uno, and Bali Governor Wayan Koster, Widodo held dialogs with Balinese religious and community leaders as well as frontline public servants to ensure that the vaccination program is implemented properly and successfully as it is key for the revival of tourism.

 

The Balinese people must remain optimistic, as "hope is on the way”, he said. The economy in Bali is expected to recover soon amid the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program, he added.

 

He also spoke of the reopening of three COVID-19 green zones in Bali for tourism amid a marked decrease in the number of daily coronavirus cases nationwide.

Come and work from Bali amid lingering COVID-19 pandemic by Fardah

 Jakarta, Aug 22, 2020 (ANTARA) - Bali, among the world's most popular resort islands, reopened to domestic tourists since July 31, 2020, after months of being deserted over the ongoing pandemic of the China-originated novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in late 2019.

However, the opening of tourism is being conducted in stages and limited only to domestic tourists and in certain regions that are ready to apply stringent health protocols to fight the pandemic.

The central government and Bali authorities have formulated health protocols to be applied in several sectors, including tourism. The protocols make it mandatory for people to wear face masks while in public places, maintain social and physical distancing, frequently wash hands with soap and in running water, and avoid crowds, among other things.

Domestic tourists entering Bali must hold health certificates attesting that they are COVID-19 free, and Bali hotel employees are obliged to regularly conduct COVID-19 tests.

On the first day of the opening (July 31), a total of 2,128 people had entered Bali via the Ngurah Rai International Airport, while 1,847 were clocked on the next day, and the figure reached 2,419 on Aug 2, according to Putu Astawa, head of the Bali Tourism Office.

In addition to domestic tourists, some 6,500 foreign tourists, who were “stranded” in Bali since before the pandemic, lauded the opening of the island resort, which also means restaurants, cafés, and hotels are back in operation.

The government has planned to allow foreign tourists to visit Bali from mid-September of 2020 under certain conditions.

Travel planning and booking website Tripadvisor has ranked Bali among the world's best tourism destinations alongside London in the Great Britain and Crete in Greece.

Tripadvisor's Travelers Choice Award for the World’s Best Destination has named Bali, also known as the Island of Gods, among the best tourist destinations globally out of a list of 25.

INDONESIA TO OFFER TOURISM INVESTMENT PROJECTS DURING IMF-WB MEETINGS by Fardah

   Jakarta, Sept 2018 (Antara) - The Indonesian government has pinned high hopes on the upcoming annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) to be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, on October 8-13, 2018.

       The host country will use the world's largest financial meeting to promote its tourist destinations and to attract investment in various fields, particularly in the tourism industry, among other things.   
    Hosting the IMF-WB Annual Meetings, Indonesia will be in the global spotlight and also gain immense benefits in various fields, including in economy, politics, banking, investment, and tourism.

          Themed "Voyage to Indonesia," this year's IMF-WB Annual Meetings will bring together some 19,800 participants and delegates, including finance ministers and central bank governors of 189 countries in "a journey to a new place of discovery."
    The tagline is selected, as Indonesia is the largest maritime country in the world and the center of the event where several countries in the world will anchor their ships.  
  Bank Indonesia has estimated that some 3.5 thousand to five thousand foreign investors will attend the IMF-WB Annual Meetings, which are viewed as offering a positive momentum to promote Indonesia's economic potentials to investors from around the world.

        The Indonesian government is planning to offer investment opportunity valued at US$42.2 billion, with total projects worth $86 billion, during the IMF-WB Annual Meetings 2018, State-Owned Enterprises Ministry's special staff member Sahala Lumban Gaol stated on September 17, 2018.

        Those offered projects will be compiled in a specific book of investment opportunities and be delivered to the investors attending the meeting.

         The book will provide complete information on investment-worthy projects, including some of which are publicly known, such as toll roads and power plants.

BALI'S TOURISM REMAINS UNAFFECTED BY ACTIVE MOUNT AGUNG by Fardah

Jakarta, July 14, 2018 (Antara)- Mount Agung, located in Karangasem District, Bali Province, erupted again early this month, but it had no impact on the tourism industry on the famous resort island.
        The tourism industry was unaffected as the eruption was relatively of low intensity, and the volcano was quite far from most of the attractive tourist destinations.
        The 3,142-meter-high Mount Agung had been rumbling since August 2017 and had erupted in November. The volcano later became relatively calm until the most recent eruptions, which occurred on July 2, when it sent out burning lava up to 1.5 kilometers high.
         According to Devy Kamil Syahbana of the Center for Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG), the condition of Mount Agung was still unstable, and it was likely to erupt again at low intensity.
           Records since 1800 reveal that Mount Agung had experienced four mega eruptions, namely in 1908, 1823, 1843, and 1963.    
   Following the latest eruptions, the PVMBG had declared the alert status of Mount Agung at third level and has ordered people to stay away from a radius of four kilometers from the mountain's top until now.
      "People living outside the 4-kilometer radius zone are urged to remain calm," he added.
       Despite the volcanic activities, the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (Asita) believes that the tourism industry in Bali is not affected by the strombolian eruption.

INDIA-BALI DIRECT FLIGHTS EXPECTED TO BOOST TOURIST ARRIVALS by Fardah

  Jakarta, April 25, 2018 (Antara)- After waiting for three years, Garuda Indonesia finally on April 24 materialized its inaugural direct flight serving Mumbai-Denpasar, with the aim of boosting Indian tourist arrivals in Indonesia.

         Direct flight is believed to be crucial in attracting more Indian tourists as the south Asian nation is one of the highest growing markets.

         Indian tourist arrivals to Indonesia has grown significantly, reaching 485 thousand in 2017 or an increase of 29 percent than the previous year.

         With the start of direct flights, Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya is optimistic that the number of Indian tourists would grow up to 40 percent to reach some 700 thousand this year.

         The airline noted that the occupancy rate for the carrier's route from Mumbai to Denpasar had reached over 82 percent on its inaugural flight.

         The GA-815 flight carried as many as 192 passengers of the total capacity of 222 people, served by the Airbus 330 series 200 aircraft, with a configuration of 36 business-class and 186 economy-class seats.

        "For an inaugural flight, this is a good number," Garuda Indonesia President Director Pahala N. Mansury noted after landing at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Kuta, Bali, on April 24, 2018, from Mumbai.

         Mansury stated that his office had earlier conducted intensive promotion targeting the Indian market in order to attract as many passengers as possible for the route that holds high potential.

         He expects the occupancy rate to reach more than 75 percent, as tourists from India do not need to obtain visas to enter Indonesia.

INDONESIA GEARS UP FOR IMF-WB ANNUAL MEETINGS by Fardah

Jakarta, April 25, 2018 (Antara) - Indonesia is gearing up for the 2018 Annual Meetings of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB), which will be held in Nusa Dua, Bali Province, from Oct 12 to 14, 2018.

         The annual meetings are usually held at the IMF and WB headquarters in Washington, D.C. for two consecutive years and in another member country every third year. The meetings are organized to discuss a range of issues related to poverty reduction, international economic development, and finance.

         During these meetings, the Bank and the IMF organize a number of fora to facilitate the interaction of governments and World Bank-IMF staff with civil society organizations, journalists, private sector executives, academics, and representatives of other international organizations.

         In total, some 15 thousand participants, including Central Bank governors and finance ministers from 189 countries, will attend the IMF-WB annual meetings, which is one of the largest and influential events in the areas of finance and economy.

         They are expected to attend 600 meetings, including seminars, investment forum, focus group discussions, workshops, and cultural events.

         As the host of the meetings, the Indonesian Government has also planned three main events on the sidelines of the main meetings.

         The organizing committee will deploy liaison officers for delegations and offer special tours and entertainment programs for family members accompanying the delegates as well as for the journalists.

         Three one-day tours and cultural packages to northern, eastern, and western Bali will be offered to 600 couples and 100 journalists.

INDIA CONTRIBUTES THIRD LARGEST NUMBER OF TOURISTS TO BALI by Fardah

Jakarta, March 22, 2018 (Antara) - Several countries contributing to the largest number of tourists to Bali Island have shifted from those considered as traditional markets, such as Japan and Europe, to China and India.

         India is one of the growing markets, with a high potential for Bali tourism. But its tourism potential had slowed down due to the recent eruption of Mount Agung.     
    Bali has become one of the favorite destinations for Indian people, after the Indonesian government implemented the free-visa policy for India since 2015.

        A significant increase in Indian tourist arrivals was recorded after the policy was implemented, from 19 thousand tourists in 2015 to 250 thousand tourists in 2017, up by 45.59 percent from 187,351 in the year before.

          India is the third biggest contributor of foreign tourists after China and Australia, out of the total 5.8 million foreign tourists visiting the island.

         In January 2018, the number of Indian tourists visiting Bali rose by 29,016, or 65.62 percent, from the same period last year.

         "However, it was down by 107, or 0.37 percent, from the previous month. In December 2017, the total number of Indian tourist arrivals was recorded at 29,123," head of the Central Statistics Agency office, Adi Nugroho, stated.

        Most of the Indian tourists come by direct flight from their country, while others travel by cruise ship.

IMF-WB ANNUAL MEETINGS TO HELP PROMOTE BALI TOURISM by Fardah

Jakarta, Feb 17, 2018 (Antara)- Bali, which has been named as 2017 Trip Advisor's best global destination, has a high expectation of the 2018 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings to be held in Nusa Dua, on October 8-14.     
  More than  5.7  million foreign tourists visited the resort island of Bali in 2017, outstripping the target of 5.5 million for last year, and an increase of 16 percent from 4.92 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2016.

          Bali, one of the world's most famous tourist resorts, hopes to receive at least 6.5 million foreign tourists this year, or one million more foreign tourists than the target of 2017, which was 5.5 million.

       The target at 6.5 million is quite ambitious as normally Bali set an increase of 500 thousand foreign tourists every year.

        One of the factors supporting the higher target is the 2018 International Monetary Fund (IMF) -World Bank (WB) Annual Meetings.  
   "The meeting will have a positive impact on the number of visits by foreign tourists," Head of the Bali Tourism Office Anak Agung Yuniartha Putra said recently.

         Around 12,000 up to 15,000 people are expected to attend the Annual Meetings, including about 3,500 delegates from 189 member countries, roughly 1,000 media representatives, and more than 5,000 participants representing the private sector, the banking community, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and also observers and parliamentarians.      
     The Annual Meetings will also feature side events, such as seminars, investment forum, workshop, and cultural events.

IMF-WB ANNUAL MEETINGS IN BALI EXPECTED TO BOOST LOCAL ECONOMY by Fardah

  Jakarta, Feb 16, 2018 (Antara) - Indonesia is optimistic that the International Monetary Fund-World Bank (IMF-WB) Annual Meetings 2018 scheduled in Bali on Oct 8-14 will offer several economic benefits to the resort island, in particular, and the country, in general.    
    The IMF-WB Meetings, one of the largest and influential events in the areas of finance and economy, bring together Central Bank governors and finance ministers from 189 countries along with prominent individuals from the private sector, academics, non-governmental organizations, and media.

         In total, some 15 thousand participants are expected to attend 600 meetings, including seminars, investment forum, focus group discussions, workshops, and cultural events.

         The meetings will benefit Indonesia, both in the short and long term, particularly in terms of boosting foreign exchange reserves, trade and investment, tourism, and Indonesia's leadership in the region, Bank Indonesia, the country's central bank, noted on its official website www.bi.go.id.

         The main objectives behind hosting the meetings are to showcase Indonesia and Asia as reformed, resilient, and progressive economies along with encouraging greater engagement with the IMF and WB with less stigma.

         In January 2018, the WB assessed that Bali had adequate facilities to host the IMF-WB Annual Meetings to be held in Nusa Dua.

         "Indonesia is fortunate to have good conference-hosting and infrastructure facilities," Press Secretary, External and Corporate Relations of WB David M. Theis noted during a presentation in Jakarta, last month.

BALI SETS HIGHER TARGET OF FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS IN 2018 by Fardah

  Jakarta, Jan 30,2018 (Antara) - Bali, one of the world's most famous tourist resorts, hopes to receive at least 6.5 million foreign tourists this year, or one million more foreign tourists than the target of 2017, which was 5.5 million.

        The target at 6.5 million is quite ambitious as normally Bali set an increase of 500 thousand foreign tourists every year.

        Head of the Bali Tourism Office Anak Agung Yuniartha Putra recently explained that there were a number of factors supporting the target such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank (WB) meeting to be held in Nusa Dua in October this year.

        "The IMF-World Bank annual meeting has been confirmed to be held in Bali by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs  Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. The meeting will have a positive impact on the number of visits by foreign tourists," Yuniartha said.  
     More than  5.7  million foreign tourists visited the resort island of Bali in 2017, outstripping the target of 5.5 million for last year.

         The number of tourist arrivals in 2017 rose 16 percent from 4.92 million a year earlier.

         Most of the visitors to Bali were via the Ngurah Rai International Airport.

        The number of visits by tourist boats to Bali reached 68 in 2017 contributing to the number of foreign tourists visiting Bali that year, according to chief of the Bali Tourism Office AA Yuniartha Putra.

BALI RETURNS TO NORMAL FOLLOWING MOUNT AGUNG ERUPTION by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 23, 2017 (Antara) - Bali Island has returned to normal after the eruption of Mount Agung, which affected the tourism industry in the one of the world's most famous tourist resorts.

         Before the volcano eruption, Bali received some 15 thousand foreign tourists daily, and during the natural disaster, it dropped to 2 thousand foreign tourist arrivals. Currently, it has increased to 12,300 foreign tourists, or around 80 percent of the normal number.

         The Indonesian Government will carry out a major international tourism promotion to assure the world on the safety for tourist visiting Bali.

         Tourism Minister Arief Yahya stated that the government has given Rp100 billion to the Governor of Bali Province for the promotion.

         Besides, the Tourism Ministry and the Transportation Ministry have discussed plans to improve transportation services for tourists.

         President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Vice President M Jusuf Kalla on Dec 22 chaired a limited cabinet meeting in Bali to assure the world on the safety of Bali and its readiness to receive as many tourists as possible.

         Following the meeting, the government also declared that it had revoked an emergency status of Mount Agung, which is now quite calm.

         The government opined that the emergency status had scared many foreign countries, prompting them to issue a travel warning, travel advisory, or even travel ban, which are unnecessary because most parts of Bali remain safe and unaffected by the eruptions.

BALI OFFERS BETTER SERVICES TO "STRANDED" TOURISTS by Fardah

 Jakarta, Nov 30 , 2017 (Antara) - The I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport reopened on Nov 29 at 3 p.m. local time following a temporary shutdown since Nov 27 morning, as its airspace is currently free of ash from Mount Agung.

         Volcanic ash has drifted in the southeast direction from its earlier southwest movement toward the airport. Thus, activities have returned to normal at the airport. In addition, the Volcano Observation Notice for Aviation has downgraded its color code from red to orange.

         However, the aviation authorities have urged all airlines to remain vigilant and conduct flight operations in accordance with the standard operating procedures.

        Owing to the three-day closure of Bali airport on Nov 27-29, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya has urged all stakeholders in the tourism industry in Bali to provide support, better services, and facilities to tourists compelled to prolong their stay on the island following the eruptions of Mount Agung.

         He also called on all parties to understand the situation that had led to the previous closure of Ngurah Rai international airport.

         "We must show empathy towards those affected. Imagine if it were to happen to us or our families. It would be highly commended if hotels, the industry, and the government are able to sincerely help them," he remarked.

         The minister expressed hope that the visitors would also be impressed if Bali was able to provide better services during the disaster.

- MT AGUNG'S ERUPTIONS LEAD TO TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BALI AIRPORT by Fardah

  Jakarta, Nov 27 , 2017 (Antara) - After rumbling since August 2017, the 3,142-meter-high Mount Agung has finally erupted, forcing a temporary closure of the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport located on the world's most famous resort island of Bali.

         The Indonesian Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) has raised the alert level of Mount Agung from three to four, indicating eruption hazards on and near the volcano.

         The alert level was raised, as the eruptions of Mount Agung have shifted from phreatic to magmatic since a red glow was visible from the peak of Mount Agung on Nov 26 at 9 p.m. local time, according to I Gede Suantika, the mitigation head of PVMBG.

         The magmatic eruptions produced thick ash rising to heights of between two thousand and 3,400 meters from the volcano's peak.

         Suantika has forecast that larger explosions might occur as is indicated by the continuous ash puffs that are sometimes accompanied by explosive eruptions along with a weak sound of boom audible in the radius of up to 12 kilometers from the mountain's peak.

         The danger zone has been expanded from six kilometers to eight kilometers from the volcano's peak.

         People living within a 10-kilometer radius towards the north, northeast, southeast, south, and southwest of the mount have been advised to evacuate.

         Villages located within the danger zone are Ban, Dukuh, Baturinggit, Sukadana, Kubu, Tulamben, Datah, Nawakerti, Pitpit, Bhuana Giri, Bebandem, Jungutan, North Duda, Amerta Bhuana, Sebudi, Besakih, and Pempatan.

         The danger zone can be changed at any time based on the condition of the volcano.

         No casualties have been reported so far, and 40 thousand people have left the area, though tens of thousands still need to move, according to Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.    
   Volcanic ash dispersed into the air over the airport after the second eruption forced its closure for 24 hours from 7 a.m. local time on Nov 27.

MOUNT AGUNG STILL ACTIVE, BUT LESS THREATENING by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 6, 2017 (Antara) - Thousands of Balinese evacuees returned home after living more than a month in evacuation centers on the Island, following the decision of the Indonesian authorities to lower the alert status of Mount Agung from Level 4 (dangerous) to Level 3 (high alert) on Oct 29, 2017.   
     "According to the images observed by the drone, the magma activity has dropped for the last nine days, and the volume of ashes ejected from the crater has decreased," Kasbani, head of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry's Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG), said in Karangasem District, recently.    
     Located in Karangasem, Bali Island, the 3,142-meter-high Mount Agung has been rumbling since August, but the volcano has not yet erupted.

        In the last two months, the officials had recorded the activity of the volcano to be high. "(However), for the last three days, the tremors were stable from 100 to 200 shocks per day," he remarked. 
   Apart from the tremors, the GPS-based observer and tiltmeter have pictured that the deformations at the crater were slowing down.   
   "There is no pressure (in dropping the volcano's alert status). Our decision is based on some observations on the crater's deformation and other indicators," he explained.

        Since PVMBG declared the highest alert level of Mount Agung, about 144,389 people living in the affected zones in Karangasem, had been evacuated to several regions, including the neighboring districts of Klungkung, Buleleng, Bangli, Gianyar, and Denpasar.  

DO NOT HESITATE TO VISIT BALI, IT IS SAFE by Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 6, 2017 (Antara) - Despite Mount Agung being active, it has not yet erupted, but news reports on it have deterred several foreign tourists.

           Tourism industry is the backbone of Bali's economy. Bali has set a target to attract 5.5 million foreign tourists this year.

           The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Bali from January to August 2017 had reached 3.99 million, an increase of 25 percent as compared to that recorded during the same period last year.

           However, lately, hotels in Bali have reported several cancellations of room reservations due to the increased volcanic activity of Mount Agung.

           In response to news reports, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has convinced tourists to visit the resort island without hesitation, adding that it remains safe and conducive despite the increased activity of Mount Agung, which is located in Karangasem District, Bali Island.

          The governor made assurance during a meeting with tourism stakeholders, such as travel operators, in Denpasar, Bali, on Oct 3.

          If Mount Agung erupts, it will have a direct impact on only 28 villages located within a radius of 12 kilometers from the volcano's crater.

          Bali's main tourist attractions, such as Nusa Dua, Kuta, and Sanur, are situated tens of kilometers from the location of the mount, he added.

          He said Karangasem has 78 villages, of which only 28 villages could be directly affected. The remaining 50 villages and other tourist destinations in Bali will remain safe.

               "Therefore, do not hesitate to visit Bali, except for climbing the mount, which will be forbidden as it is dangerous," Pastika explained.

            Besides, the current condition is different from how it erupted in 1963.

PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITIZED AMID MT AGUNG'S INCREASED VOLCANIC ACTIVITY by Fardah

 Jakarta, Sept 28, 2017 (Antara) - Mount Agung has been rumbling since August, with an increase in the magnitude of tremors, though the volcano has not erupted so far.

        The volcano is located on the resort island of Bali, but it is quite far from the island's main tourist destinations, such as Kuta Beach, which is some 75 kilometers away.

        Several key Balinese destinations, such as Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Lake Beratan Bedugul, Tampak Siring Palace, Bali Safari and Marine Park, Garuda Wisnu Kencana, Sanur and Kuta beaches, Tanjung Benoa, Goa Gajah, and Nusa Penida, are quite far from the volcano and not affected by the increase in volcanic activity at Mount Agung.   
   Bali has set a target to attract 5.5 million foreign tourists this year.

        The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Bali from January to August 2017 had reached 3.99 million, an increase of 25 percent as compared to that recorded during the same period last year.

        According to data of the Bali statistics office, the resort island had received 4.92 million foreign tourists in 2016, an increase of 23.14 percent as compared to 4.001 million in 2015.

        In the wake of Mount Agung showing signs of increased volcanic activity, the Indonesian authorities have ensured that Bali remains safe for tourists, and its Ngurah Rai International Airport remains open and functions normally.

        Several ministers had visited Bali to monitor the disaster mitigation handling activities and to coordinate measures and preparations to be better prepared to face the worst in case the mountain erupts.

        On Sept 26, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had visited the Mt Agung refugees in Klungkung District, Bali, and urged them to abide by the instructions given by the officers following an increase in the mount's volcanic activities.

MT AGUNG'S ACTIVITY ON RISE, BUT BALI REMAINS SAFE by Fardah

Jakarta, Sept 23, 2017 (Antara) - The alert status for Mount Agung was raised to Watch, or Level IV, on Sept 22 following increased seismic activity, though authorities ensure that Bali remains safe for tourists, particularly locations far from the volcano.

          Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) has appealed to tourists and residents to avoid any activity near the crater of Mount Agung and all northward, northeastward, southeastward, and south-southwestward areas within a 12-kilometer radius of its peak, increasing the area from six kilometers announced earlier.

          "All people in the areas must be evacuated starting from 8:30 p.m. local time today (Sept. 23). No tourist or public activity is allowed there," Kasbani of the PVMBG emphasized.

          However, despite increased volcanic activity at the 3,142-meter-high Mount Agung, Bali remains safe for tourists, according to Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

          "Until now, Bali is still safe for tourist visits, except the area within the radius around Mt Agung where any activity has been banned by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG)," he informed the press on Sept 23.

          Several key Balinese destinations, such as Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Lake Beratan Bedugul, Tampak Siring Palace, Bali Safari and Marine Park, Garuda Wisnu Kencana, Sanur and Kuta beaches, Tanjung Benoa, Goa Gajah, and Nusa Penida, are safe and not affected by the increased volcanic activity at Mount Agung.

          "Tourist destinations in Bali are still safe. Please visit and enjoy the natural scenery, culture, culinary, and other attractions of Bali Island. The government will surely issue an early warning and information accurately if the volcano endangers the safety of the public," he said.

OBAMA'S BALI VACATION TO PROMOTE INDONESIAN TOURISM by Fardah

 Jakarta, June 27, 2017 (Antara) - Barack Obama has fulfilled his promise to spend holidays with his family in Indonesia, which he often referred to as "pulang kampung," or homecoming.

           During his visit to Jakarta in November 2010, Obama had expressed keenness to bring his two daughters to Indonesia one day.

           Seven years later, on June 23, 2017, he along with his wife, Michele and two daughters, Malia and Sasha, aboard a Gulfstream N50JE chartered jet, finally landed at the I Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.         
     Apart from his immediate family, Obama also brought along his stepsister Maya Soetoro and her family and some employees, with the number of people in his delegation reaching 14.

           The 44th US president was welcomed upon arrival by Bali's Governor Made Mangku Pastika, Chief of the IX/Udayana Military Command Major General Komaruddin Simanjuntak, Chief of the Denpasar Resort Police Senior Commissioner Hadi Purnomo, and Commander of the Ngurah Rai Air Base Colonel Wayan Superman.

          The Obamas plan to stay for five days until June 28 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sayan, Ubud, Gianyar District, which is located about 40 kilometers from the airport.

          This is Obama's second visit to Bali. During the first visit, he had attended the ASEAN Summit in 2011 as the US president. At that time, however, he was not accompanied by his family.

          This time, his holiday is a personal trip; hence the Indonesian authorities do not have the details of their agenda.

INDONESIA OPTIMISTIC OF ATTRACTING MORE MIDDLE EASTERN TOURISTS by Fardah

 Jakarta, March 11, 2017 (Antara) - Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya is delighted to have Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud holidaying in Bali, as it serves as a major promotion for the resort island.

        The minister expressed gratitude to the King, as the visit received global attention that has turned out to be a huge though free promotion for Bali.    
   The Ministry of Tourism has recommended several places in Bali that can be visited by the King of Saudi and the royal family.

        As the King and his entourage, comprising several princes, seem to enjoy their stay in Bali, they have decided to extend their vacation until Sunday (March 12), from Thursday (March 9) as earlier scheduled.

         The Saudi embassy in Jakarta had sent a letter informing the stay duration extension to the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, confirmed Adjunct Senior Commissioner Hengky Widjaja of the Bali Police, on March 7.

         In the letter, the Saudi embassy informed the ministry that the King and his entourage decided to extend their holiday in the world's most famous resort island of Bali until March 12, 2017, with the duration of their stay now being eight days.

          Despite intensified security efforts, the activities of King al-Saud while vacationing in Bali have been kept firmly under wraps to safeguard their privacy.

          The Saudi King and his 1.5 thousand-member entourage, have booked five luxury hotels located on the beaches lining the Indian Ocean.