hey say 'G'day' in Bali too

Bali is a gentle place. Its calm informality sits oddly with the starchy business of a world leaders' meeting. It's a place to be absorbed — not inhaled — and you don't get a full dose in a rush-fest like the seven-hour swing-by that was John Howard's visit. We press-packers spend most of our assignment time gadgetised — our minds locked onto laptops, mobile phones, PDAs and voice recorders.

Back to Bali

Bali is famed for its golden beaches and glittering nightlife - but for the locals the true beauty of the island lies inland, in its fields, temples and mountain ranges. In the wake of the terrorist bombs that devastated its tourist industry, Adrian Bridge goes in search of Bali's creative heart - and comes away mesmerised.

Increase in the number of reservations made by Western women to Asian destinations

In Thailand, hotels such as the Banyan Tree, JW Marriott Hotel, Marriott Resort & Spa, Millennium Hilton and Peninsula Hotel in Bangkok have all hosted exclusive women-only packages, often incorporating shopping and spa into itineraries with temple visits and river tours. Meanwhile, Phuket has strong female appeal with its mixture of nightlife, beaches and national parks. Popular hotel choices for girl’s wanting to have fun are the Mom Tri’s Villa Resort, Centara Karon Resort Phuket, Hilton Arcadia Resort & Spa and TwinPalms Hotel. In Indonesia, women traveling with their mates might stop for a sojourn in the bustling city of Jakarta for its shopping, followed by the beautiful beaches and hillside environs of Bali. The Alila Hotel in Jakarta has a women’s only executive level floor and the same group’s Kemang Icon boutique hotel is situated within one of the city’s most affluent and chic suburbs.

Bali hits a six as it tops world rankings for quality and value

The international Travel and Leisure magazine – with a circulation of one million and readership of more than four million – placed Bali first - again - in its 2007 annual readership survey, ranking Bali as the ‘World’s Best Island’ for the sixth consecutive year. The US-based publication, which is now published in Australia*, voted Bali a clear winner on a score of 86.30, ahead of Maui and Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands, the Galapagos Islands and Santorini (respectively second to fifth). It also beat Thailand’s Phuket (eighth) and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Islands (tenth).

Bali tourism still thrives but life has changed

Wani Abdul Gapar
BALI
22-Jul-07

AS FAR as Komang can remember, his hometown of Bali has always been dependent on international visitors who have steadily boosted the tourism sector. The scene is still the same, tourists come and go on a regular basis to surf and bask at the beach.
But life has definitely changed subtly for everyone there. Security guards at major shopping malls discreetly inspect all backpacks and hotel employees have long handled mirrors to check underneath cars before allowing them into the resorts.

Until the bombings in the Legian area in October 2002 and Kuta in 2005, Bali was an economically dynamic tourist destination. The economy recovered but more than a few shops and cafe{aac}s were notably quiet. The sturdily built Indonesian reassured The Brunei Times, "Bali is a very safe place".

Travel + Leisure magazine's annual readers' survey.

The survey of nearly 19,000 readers also named Bali the world's best island. Top 10 large-ship cruise lines in the readers' survey were Crystal, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, Disney, Cunard, Celebrity, Holland America, Orient, Princess and Royal Caribbean.

Tourists flock to Bali despite new travel warnings

IMBARAN, Indonesia (Reuters) -- Bali, the lush Indonesian island famous for its sun-kissed beaches, is drawing tourists in droves, and travel warnings that Islamic militants might strike again has done little to dampen the spirit. Almost five years after 202 people were killed in the bombing of a Bali nightclub, tourists are back enjoying the island's nightlife and soaking up the sun on Bali's palm-fringed beaches.

How did a girl from Dothan, Ala., end up in Bali?

"I always knew I would travel, I just didn't know where I would go or how I would get there," she said in an interview on a recent visit with her mother, Catherine Dawkins.

Spa industry gains momentum in Indonesia and Bali

Spa numbers in Indonesia and Bali have grown over 160% since 2003 according to a new survey by Intelligent Spas, identifying 390 spas currently operating and another 21 spas under development. The report, entitled Spa Industry Profile Indonesia 2003-2009, achieved a 61% response rate.

Monkey Magic In Bali

High in the mountains, an hour away from the chattering crowds and swinging nightclubs of Kuta, Ubud is where you’ll find swinging and chattering of an altogether different kind.

Exploring Bali

Bali is a criss crossed with roads of varying quality. Many tourists as well as expats stick to the main roads and sometimes miss out on some spectacular scenery. It can be tempting to get off of the main road and go exploring, but also worrying for someone not familiar with Bali and on a short time frame. The thing you have to figure out is what roads will lead to great things, but are also navigable and suitable for cars. Fear not, help is at hand in the form of a widely sold map.

Travel agents do not anticipate a drop in bookings to Bali

Flight Centre spokesman Haydn Long said there had been no change in the number of purchased flights to the Indonesian holiday destination since yesterday's warning.
"There has been nothing noticeable that we have seen so far," Mr Long said.

Flight ban begins showing impact on Indonesia

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia begins to feel the impact of the European Commission`s plan to ban Indonesian airline companies from flying in its airspace, though certain circles said that it would not affect domestic flights. In less than a week after Thursday`s reports that the European Commission would ban 51 Indonesian airline companies from flying to the European Union member countries as of July 6, 2007 due to flight safety concerns, air travel operators in Indonesia began complaining this weekend over a blow to the tourism sector.

36 Hours in Bali

SAY Bali and most people think paradise. There are stunning sunsets, sculpted rice terraces and a temple on almost every corner. And for less-spiritual seekers, this steamy Indonesian island also has great surfing and a rollicking nightlife.

Flight ban hurts Indonesian tourism

Indonesia's tourism industry suffers another blow after European countries called for their citizens in Indonesia to refrain from traveling with local airlines, the industry association said Monday.

Cheap travel takes off

The plan worked, with Jetstar Asia offering bargain deals to exotic destinations such as Bali, Phuket, Bangkok and Vietnam's bustling Ho Chi Minh City, with high yields.