Some 789 sellers take part in Pata Travel Mart

Denpasar, Bali - The ongoing Pacific Asian Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart 2007 was very encouraging because it was participated in by 789 sellers from 38 countries, an official said on Friday. "The biggest number of sellers come from Indonesia, namely 262 delegations from 113 companies. Other countries which have sent a big number of sellers are Thailand, India, Singapore and China," the Indonesian cultural and tourism ministry`s Marketing Director General, Thamrin B Bachri, said at Nusa Dua, Bali. The sellers consisted of those representing independent hotels and resorts (32 percent), cruise operators (three percent), hotel chains (25 percent), and inbound tour operators (23 percent).

Komodo National Park Indonesia

# Located between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa Island.

# Covers an area of between 1,875 and 2,321 square kilometers.

# Consist of three main Islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar

# Famous for its pre-historic and Komodo ‘’Dragons’’ – found only in this area of the world.

# Home to one of the richest marine environments in the world.

# Excellent coral reefs.

# Outstanding diving spots.

Beautiful Bali needs you

I have been nowhere else where Hindu shrines in the smartest internationally owned hotels are tended by staff, lighting incense and mouthing ritual prayers. I was prepared to be sceptical about claims that Bali is a special spiritual place. But I left this greenest of islands a convert – and like all born-again zealots, I need to spread the word. Bali needs its tourists. Wherever we went, in the south and the east of the island, we were painfully aware of how desperate the people are – wanting to drive you, guide you, paint your nails, sell you sarongs, give you massages. Again and again you hear that there are not enough visitors – not since the Balinese faith in a benign, balanced universe was shattered by the 2002 terrorist outrage.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort & Spa offers luxury in Bali

Guests to the paradise island of Bali can indulge in not only award-winning service and spa treatments at The Ritz-Carlton, Resort & Spa, but also savor some of the island’s best dining experiences. Recently voted the best in service in Asia, and second best in the entire world by the readers of Travel + Leisure, in its June 2007 issue, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort & Spa is an iconic destination of this beautiful tropical island; the epitome of the best in international standards of luxury and indulgence, accented by the charming traditions and beauty of Balinese landscape and the sparkling Indian Ocean.

Come to Indonesia

INDONESIA'S President has made an extraordinary appeal for Indonesians and Australians to look beyond the "tyranny of stereotypes" and make full use of the opportunities in each other's countries. "Those who are interested in Asian studies can make Indonesia their gateway to deeper knowledge. To the artists among you, come to Bali and find out how the artists of Europe found the fullest expression of their soul on that island paradise. To the entrepreneurs, come and avail yourselves of our latest package of investment incentives."

Air France, Qantas eye travelers to Bali

PARIS: Air France vice president for Asia Pacific Jean-Louis Pinson said Wednesday that the carrier would launch a service between Bali and Singapore based on a code-sharing agreement with Qantas Airways. The partnership will commence Sept. 11, Pinson told The Jakarta Post, in what he said was an opportunity to explore the possibility of opening up more routes to Indonesia.

Indonesian foreign tourist arrival up in July

The number of foreign tourist arrival in Indonesia in July increased by 16.31 percent to 423,500 people, compared with the same period last year, the National Statistic Bureau said on Monday. The number of the tourist coming to Bali Island, the center of Indonesian tourist industry, increased to 171,700 people in July, up 33.49 percent compared with the same month last year, said the head of the bureau, Rusman Heriawan.

Three Swedish nationals drown in Bali

Three Swedish nationals died in a local hospital Friday after being rescued by surf lifesavers from Kuta Beach, Bali. The dead were identified as Kent Jansen, 61, Anders Davist Lan, 70, and Eva, 58. The identity of a companion who was swimming with the three is yet to be revealed. An official at the Tourist Security Board, I Ketut Sudiana, said Saturday the four tourists were rescued by his team from Kuta Beach and rushed to a local hospital, where doctors were unable to revive three of them.

Shortage of flights threaten Bali tourism

AS a record total of foreign tourists visit Bali, the number of Australians holidaying there is also gradually improving. But the Balinese tourism industry says it's not just the recent bird flu deaths that are the biggest hurdle to full recovery. Hoteliers and tourists say the main problem is the lack of seat availability on flights, particularly between Bali and the east coast of Australia.