Bali Update

Bali Update Edition 810 – 12 March 2012

Om Swastiastu …

A relatively minor incident at Bali’s airport on February 1st has gained international notoriety; details in this week’s update.

Development ranks high in this week’s edition with reports on the effects of migration from other areas to Bali; calls for more emphasis on quality before quantity in seeking tourists arrivals; warning on the dangers of mass tourism; and fears of severe oversupply in accommodation fueling a growing rate war in Bali.

Bali’s governor has had a busy week calling for the arrest and imprisonment of unlicensed tour guides and welcoming Bali’s new police chief by asking for guaranteed peace and security for the island.

In order to protect traditional villages, the Denpasar government has announced it will no longer issue licenses for new mini-marts in the capital. Plans to build a new power plant in north Bali are on hold while developers try to negotiate a land price with a final landholder.

Hotel news this week covers extensive management changes at the Banyan Tree Ungasan Resort and a list of gold prizewinners at the just-completed Salon Culinaire 2012 competition.

Illegal villas are back in the news as the Bali Villa Association complains that most commercial villas are operating illegally. Meanwhile, the Badung regency declares it’s now the time to tear down 300 illegal villas in south Bali.

Bali Hai Cruises will suspend operations by its Aristocat from March 16-31, 2012 for docking a sail rigging.

The aviation beat brings news of numerous awards being won by the national air carries Garuda; a demand by the province of Bali for a share of the profits generated by Bali’s airport; and calls for Egyptair to commence flying from Cairo to Indonesia.

Looking Ahead:

• Ubud celebrity Janet de Neefe appears at the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival March 15-17.
• One night only fine dining with the wines of the Alsace from Domaine Schlumberger at the Ubud’s Mozaic Restaurant on Saturday, March 17, 2012.
• “Insexts” (Do they Do it Also?) – an intimate look at insects with amazing photos at Gaya Art Space in Ubud March 17-31, 2012
• “Mellow Yellow” paintings by Sony Irawan at Kendra Gallery through March 18, 2012
• Friday, March 23rd is “Nyepi” Bali’s official Day of Silence.
• 3 Dimensions of asie.one at the Ganesha Gallery through April 2, 2012
• Bali Junior Golf Ballesteros Foundation Golf Tournament at Bali Handara Golf Course April 7-8.
• “Adi’s Art” by Adi Bachmann at Adi’s Gallery in Ubud through July 29, 2012.
• BII Maybank Bali Marathon on Sunday, April 22, 2012
• The 6th Annual BIZNET Bali International Triathlon returns on June 26, 2012. www.balitriathlon.com
• The International Bali Meditators Conference September 20-23, 2012

See the exciting video clip on “Devdan – Treasures of the Archipelago” – the latest breathtaking theatrical show opening the Nusa Dua Theatre.

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Om Çanti Çanti Çanti Om …

J.M. Daniels, Editor
Bali Update
Bali Discovery Tours