Bali holidays will be most exciting and memorable vacation for you. Famous for pristine white beaches, Bali is the most visited and beautiful island among 17,000 islands in Indonesia. It is famous as a paradise land in Indonesia due to its sun drenched beaches, white sand, excellent surfing spots and fishing towns. Take flights to Bali and experience the charm of this beautiful city with its beautiful beaches, friendly people and a flamboyant lifestyle.

Bali offers a great number of activities to suite anyone, these activities include scuba diving, parasailing, sea surfing and many more. For all these activities and lovely holidays packages to Bali are available with many travel companies and agents. All airlines to Bali are scheduled to Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai international airport. Cheap flights to Bali are easily available from UK and its major airports.

Apart from beautiful beaches there are various galleries and museums also in Bali. The Agung Rai Museum of Art, Neka Museum, Antonio Blanco Renaissance Museum, Komaneka Gallery and Seniwati Gallery of Art are some of them. It is a perfect destination for your beach holidays and honeymoons. Bali holidays are full of fun, adventure and lots of excitement. This place may be small in size, but has huge attractions and endless charm.

This place is famous for its spa treatments, many resorts and hotels in Bali are providing this facility. With many travel agents Spa treatments can be a part of your packages. You can also look for companies providing such kind of packages. The most fascinating feature of Bali holiday is freedom to relax in complete privacy through some villas and resorts. Other than beaches Bali is famous for its temples also, as it is the only island in Indonesia with a large number of Hindu Temples.

Cheap airfares for Bali holidays are easy to find, it required a little patience and good searching skills. Search for the company providing cheap airfares, packages and flights to Bali, beware of the dodgy ones. Enjoy breathtaking horseback ride along the coasts of Bali or camel riding along Nusa Dua beach. Paragliding and bunjee jumping are the other fun filled activities which you can enjoy on your holidays in Bali.

Richard Johnes has been offering Cheap air travel and holiday packages advice for quite some time. To find Cheap Flights to Manila, Cheap flights to Bali, Cheap Flights to Abu Dhabi, Cheap flights to Amman and Search flights online that best suits your needs visit www.flybliss.co.uk

News by http://www.bestsyndication.com/

Garuda, like its regional counterparts, has been struggling with the global recession and its impact on the number of travelers and ultimately the airline’s revenues. The bombings have worsened the impact of the crisis and prolonged the time it will take to recover from it.

The airline industry is reaching saturation point with the proliferation of budget airlines, which are squeezing the operating margins of all existing market players. The drop in fuel costs, however, has given airlines a temporary breather. Fuel typically accounts for 30 percent of an airline’s operating costs. But as the global economy recovers, so will fuel prices. It is no surprise the industry continues to face considerable turbulence.

For the last four years, Garuda has come a considerable way in catching up with its regional counterparts, but also realizes it still has some way to go. Emir has navigated the carrier through two key phases and is preparing for the crucial third. The 2006-2007 period was the survival and consolidation phase. This was followed by the 2008-2009 turnaround phase and the carrier is about to enter its growth phase in 2010. Garuda’s operating performance and, more importantly, safety standards have improved.

Aside from its IATA Operational Safety Audit certification, the carrier’s incident rate has been brought down to 0.41 per 1,000 departures, its lowest in recent years. And, just this month, the European Union lifted its ban on Indonesia airline flights to Europe. With regards to Garuda’s operations, On Time Performance (OTP) has risen to 84 percent, the passenger load factor last year was brought up to 73 percent, and aircraft utilization up to 9 hours per day.

A closer look at Garuda’s finances shows the airline started generating profits in 2007. Last year, operating profits reached Rp 1,187 billion and net profits Rp 669 billion, out of revenues of Rp 19,400 billion. Its capital, which was negative in 2007, also turned positive in 2008, although it is still low by regional standards.

Interestingly, Garuda compares well to its regional counterparts when it comes to weathering the current global slowdown. One of the major advantages the airline has is the nature of its routes, which are largely short haul. The global recession has impacted long-haul flights and premium services – business and first class – much more than short-haul flights and the normal economy service. Another plus is the size of its domestic business, which has not suffered as much from the global recession.

Only half of Garuda’s revenue comes from international routes, while Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Air System and Thai Airways, given their smaller domestic markets, rely much more on revenue from international routes. Moreover, Garuda’s domestic business carries higher margins than its international flight business. As Emir explained, the EU ban lift is important to Garuda because it has restored the airline’s image and credibility, not so much because of its commercial impact. Amsterdam will be the first of its three European destinations to be restored sometime mid next year, followed later by Frankfurt and London.

Going forward, Emir is focusing on several areas to compete more effectively. One is to lighten the company’s heavy debt burden, which was a legacy of the past when airlines preferred to own their fleet, rather than lease, as most do today. The company expects to finalize its debt restructuring by September this year. What remains to be completed is the conversion of Bank Mandiri’s mandatory convertible bond, amounting to Rp 1,019 billion, into equity. Earlier, the government also converted its loans to Garuda into equity.

This conversion is expected to reduce the annual interest burden of the company, which reached a sizable Rp 365 billion last year. Sometime mid next year, the company is planning to go public and sell 30 percent of its shares. The company expects to raise Rp 4.2 trillion, which translates into a Garuda valuation of about Rp 14 trillion or US$1.4 billion. Assuming net profits reach Rp 1 trillion next year, that valuation reflects a PE (price-to-earning) ratio of about 14 times. Proceeds of the IPO will be used to further pare down its debt and to modernize its air fleet as it enters its growth phase.

Another area of focus is growing revenue by adding domestic and international routes as well as increasing flight frequency. This year, Garuda launched its Jakarta to Malang, Jakarta to Kendari, Jakarta to Kupang, Jakarta to Tanjung Karang and Jakarta to Pangkalpinang routes. Abroad, it has introduced a Denpasar to Hong Kong and Surabaya to Hong Kong route. Starting in August, Garuda will also fly to Sydney, Melbourne and Seoul from Jakarta, in addition to its existing routes from Denpasar to the three regional destinations.

To service this growth, the carrier will be adding five Boeing 737-800s and returning one Boeing 737-300 as its lease expires. These new planes are more fuel efficient and thus will help keep fuel cost under control. The new planes also feature roomier seats and state-of-the-art audio and video entertainment systems, which are crucial to compete with regional carriers. With those purchases, Garuda now has 47 Boeing 737s, in addition to six wide-bodied Airbus 330-300s and three Boeing 747-400s.

Garuda also operates two Boeing 737s as part of its low-budget service, called Citilink, based in Surabaya. The plan is to purchase a total of 50 new Boeing 737-800NGs and 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, in part to replace its existing fleet. Planes will be delivered in stages, starting in July 2009 for the Boeing 737s and in 2011 for the Boeing 777s.

When asked about intense competition from local low-budget airlines, Emir responded diplomatically that the domestic market was large enough to accommodate the current number of players. In fact, budget airlines complemented Garuda services, he added. He said Garuda positioned itself domestically as a premium airline, focusing on the middle to upper market.

The low-budget airlines, given their low-priced tickets, cater to the middle to lower market segment, and thus play an important role in introducing new customers to the airline market. In other words, they actually help expand the market. “Garuda, thus, faces the challenge of providing enough added value, in terms of service and convenience, to justify its premium pricing and further attract passengers that would like to upgrade,” he explained.

Conversely, Garuda positions itself as a lower-priced airline when it competes abroad, with similar amenities than its more established regional rivals. It is employee issues, however, that have been Emir’s most difficult challenge, especially when it comes to changing people’s mind-set.

One way that he has tried to address this issue is by introducing meritocracy by measuring performance and providing bonuses to those providing excellent service. Another was to not only adjust salaries to the market, but also adjust the corresponding job specifications to the market.

This is an ongoing process, but results are already being felt, he argued. “As a former banker, I realize that in banking, one tends to deal more with numbers and intangibles, while in the airline industry, the results are more tangible and real. That is more satisfying,” he concluded.

News by The Jakarta Post – thejakartapost.com

“Our loads for the forthcoming three months are running past 90% and we feel it is timely to add a second frequency. We stay true to our brand promise and are committed to offering the lowest fares and best value to our guests,” Ms Tan said. “In addition, guests can look forward to our Bali hub as a gateway to connect to Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and another recently added popular tourist spot, Bandung, all at our amazing low fares.”

Promotional flights on the Bali-Perth route will be on sale from July 9-12 for travel from August 19 to April 30, 2010. These seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis and bookings can be made exclusively online via www.airasia.com and mobile.airasia.com

The new route will be served by AirAsia’s brand new Airbus A320 aircraft.

News by The West Australian – thewest.com.au

On the ‘Island of the Gods,’ the beachfront Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali is named after Baruna, the Balinese God of the Ocean.  Located on three hectares of beautifully terraced tropical gardens and set to open in March, this contemporary, Balinese-inspired resort features 195 guest rooms and suites along a perfect stretch of white sandy beach.

The Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali is the only hotel in the area to have a direct access to the beach.  The resort is set to provide guests with what they expect from a modern, affordable, idyllic and relaxing resort accommodation.

Appealing to families and couples alike, Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali is situated in the secluded enclave of Tuban, a 10-minute drive from the airport, and a short stroll to the vibrant shopping and entertainment area of Kuta.  It is also only 30 minutes from Denpasar, Bali’s capital city, and 60 minutes from Ubud, Bali’s artistic centre.

Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali will have several categories of rooms which include spectacular Ocean rooms, Garden rooms, Family Suites, kidSuites and more. All the rooms will have 32” flat screen satellite TVs and seamless Internet access. The resort will also have a new selection of eateries including “The Beach” – the newest chill-out spot in the area which has a direct beach access with decks where guests can relax and enjoy stunning sunsets.

A purpose-built spa, Tea Tree Spa, awaits guests along with a fitness centre, a kid’s club with extensive outdoor play area and many other new products and services that will reflect the resort’s policy to encourage their use by setting reasonable prices.  The resort will have its own resort hub which will include a travel desk, mini mart, internet café, concierge and ice cream & coffee kiosk.

There will also be a Departure Lounge which provides departing guests with a space to relax prior to their flight.  The Departure Lounge offers showers, changing rooms, lockers, safe deposit boxes, a 32- inch plasma TV, refreshments, and reading materials.

“We are raising the bar and redefining the next generation of Holiday Inn Resorts serving the next generation of guests” said General Manager Stéphane Varoquier. “A new self-confident generation guests are pushing the boundaries and our resort though its amenities will meet their needs.  We provide a relaxing environment with affordable and modern facilities.”

General Manager Stéphane Varoquier has spent the last nine years as IHG Regional Director, Hotel Finance & Business Support, Southern Asia & Korea.  His team includes Fiona Redman, Executive Assistant Manager (EAM) for Food and Beverage and Mayoshi Diah, Director of Sales and Marketing who was previously working at InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza for eight years and was holding title of Director of Sales for three years.

The opening of Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali signifies IHG’s (InterContinental Hotels Group)’s commitment to growing its brands in Indonesia. IHG has five other properties in Indonesia – InterContinental Jakarta Midplaza, InterContinental Bali Resort, Crowne Plaza Jakarta, Holiday Inn Bandung and Holiday Inn Batam.

News by 4Hoteliers – Hospitality, Hotel, and Travel News

Bali, a Hindu-majority island and tourist destination near the center of Indonesia’s archipelago, has always offered bargains. But a series of factors has made those deals even better, including the impact of the global recession and a 20 percent strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Indonesian rupiah since 2006.

The combination of tropical appeal and bargain prices has helped Bali grow from a surfers’ destination to a holiday retreat popular with backpackers, families and the ultra rich. The number of foreign visitors to the Delaware-size island rose to 1.7 million in 2007 from 1.3 million in 1997.

The number of Americans visiting Bali plunged after a terrorist attack in Denpasar, its capital, killed 202 people in 2002. But last May, the U.S. Department of State lifted a travel warning, citing “objective (security) improvements,” and the number of American visitors rose to more than 62,000 for the year.

Watching the Sun Sets

Without much effort, visitors can hike on volcanoes, dive or snorkel over coral reefs, visit spas and boutique shops and eat at restaurants serving both traditional Indonesian fare and fine French cuisine.

My wife and I sampled that variety during a trip to the island. We started on Bali’s south coast, best known for its beaches and temples. Our favorite site was Pura Luhur Uluwatu, a Hindu shrine with ornate eaves and entrance ways perched on a cliff above the Indian Ocean. Locals and tourists gather at the site each evening to watch the sun set, and we arrived in time to see the ocean fade from blue to red and then, with nightfall, black.

We also learned about Balinese Hinduism. The religion, which became firmly rooted in Bali in the 16th century, seeks to balance forces of good and evil. Because practitioners consider cliffs and mountains holy, temples generally offer an excellent combination of cultural heritage and good walking, and we spent an hour strolling along a beautiful coastline.

Release the turtles

We also traveled to Lombok, an Indonesian island roughly 25 miles east of Bali that is gaining a reputation as Bali’s more natural cousin. Shortly after we pulled away from the dock for a two-hour ferry ride to Lombok, our ship’s captain slowed and pointed to a pod of dolphins swimming in graceful swoops beside our boat.

After we arrived at a quiet fishing port, we checked into an Oberoi hotel — part of an Indian luxury resort chain known for top-drawer service — and wandered through gardens full of flowering trees. In the distance, a perfectly shaped volcano poked through heavy clouds. The hotel offered a scuba diving package and we spent a morning swimming beside an underwater wall covered with coral and rich with marine life. Among thousands of species, we saw green sea turtles and whitetip sharks.

Back on land, we helped the hotel release hawksbill turtles to welcome 2009. Despite laws prohibiting harming sea turtles, locals still sometimes take eggs from Lombok beaches. The hotel staff had bought the turtles from a nearby market. Watching the hand-size turtles make their first tentative strokes to freedom felt like a good way to start the year.

‘Wellness Programs’

Back in Bali, we explored the island’s east coast, where many locals farm and fish. At the Alila, where clean, comfortable rooms start at $125 daily, we took advantage of bargain prices on massages and tours. My wife joined a cooking class that included a market visit and we both enjoyed a walk organized by the hotel to a nearby village.

A few days later, we checked into the Como Shambhala Estate, one of Bali’s top resorts. The 100-acre property is sculpted into rolling terraces dotted with bamboo stands and coconut palms. Private villas come with attached swimming pools. The hotel focuses on health-conscious living and many guests sign up for three- to seven-day “wellness programs.”

One program promised to “(balance) the five elements of body and mind” through yoga and massage. Another claimed that it could purge toxins through massage, specialized diets and “colon hydrotherapy.” We decided to keep our toxins and signed up for a plan including a beautiful room, breakfast and participation in resort activities including yoga and tennis.

We dined nearby at the award-winning Mozaic restaurant, opened in 2001 by French-American chef Chris Salans. We ordered tasting menus and were served an incredible array of dishes, from bluefin tuna grilled with “citrus-infused bell pepper sauce” to foie gras served with pureed mango. Complemented with wine and excellent desserts, the bill came to less than $100 each. My wife, who writes about food and edits the Zagat guide to Beijing, proclaimed the feast a triumphal bargain.

“In New York that meal would have cost at least two times as much,” she said, wiping a passion fruit seed from the corner of her mouth. Her statement was a tribute to Bali itself.

LODGING

Bali offers thousands of hotels, from brand-name resorts to comfortable guesthouses. Ask directly for deals, which may not be listed on Web sites.

• Westin Bali: Comfortable doubles and excellent amenities, with rooms from $195. Until April, guests staying three nights receive a fourth night free. www.westin.com/bali
• Oberoi: Its hotels in southern Bali and Lombok have carefully tended grounds, top-notch service and excellent beaches and swimming pools. Until April, rooms start at $250. http://www.oberoihotels.com
• Como Shambhala Estate: This resort near Ubud has beautiful grounds and large rooms, many with private or semi-private swimming pools. Double-occupancy rooms are advertised from $300 but could become cheaper in coming months. http://www.comoshambhala.bz
• Alila hotels: Two of Bali’s best deals can be found at these hotels in Ubud and Manggis, with doubles starting for $125 daily. Management organizes dozens of activities including a five-hour visit to an art school and village ($65), a snorkeling trip with boat transfers ($25) and a full-day island tour by Harley-Davidson ($80). www.alilahotels.com
• Agency: Bali Discovery Tours, run by an American, offers discounted fares at scores of hotels and private villas. www.balidiscovery.com

Written by Craig Simons Cox News Service
Published on Houston Chronicle – www.chron.com

The resort includes 79 oversized suites and 42 private villas all designed and decorated with impeccable attention to detail. A tranquil Remède Spa, Astor ballroom and a wedding chapel, are all also on hand, with the hotel also ensuring each guests has a personal, 24-hour butler – unobtrusive and dedicated to top quality service.

To celebrate the opening guests are invited to step into the newest and distinctively elegant resort in Bali for an introductory price of $435 (£280).  Guests will receive a warm welcome with ‘Bali Concierge’, VIP immigration and luggage handling at the airport and comfortable transfers in a luxurious limousine.

Clothes pressing of and a sumptuous breakfast at Boneka continental restaurant each morning are also provided, as well as one relaxing session at the Aqua-Vitale Massage pool.

The offer is valid for stays booked between September 15th, 2008 & December 25, 2009 – with guests stating in room categories: St. Regis Suite, Pool Suite, One Bedroom Lagoon Villa, The Strand Villa, Gardenia Villa and The St. Regis Lagoon Villa 2 Bedroom.

It is definitely a daring move, as Bali is not fully recovered from its economic slump after recent attacks aimed at foreign tourists. But Bvlgari’s chief executive believes Bali is resilient. “I believe that the bombings will hurt only for a short time, but eventually the tourism will go up again,” Francesco Trapani says, “because Bali has the history, beauty and kindness of the people.”

Following the 2002 bombing which killed more than 200 mostly Australian tourists, the 2005 suicide bombings at Kuta and Jimbaran killed 20 innocent people, including four Australians, and had a heavy impact on tourism. The number of foreign tourists arriving in Bali has dropped more than 26 per cent since last year, and for Australian tourists the decline is even worse, at 57 per cent.

But the Balinese believe the opening of exclusive hotels like Bvlgari will help restore international confidence. “Looking at Bvlgari, which has set a high standard of service and price, and they think it can be reached, I think it will bring the tourism market to a higher segmentation,” Bali tourism board executive director Wiwin Suyasa said. “It proves that Bali can achieve that target level, and adds to our pride and confidence as a main tourist destination,” Suyasa said.

It will also help reduce unemployment. “This new hotel will help absorb unemployment caused by many hotels’ lay-offs after the 2005 bombings,” Badung district vice-regent Ketut Sudikerta said.

The building of luxurious hotels in Bali also shows there is a change of market sentiment from group travel to individual travel. While group travelers choose to stay in big, international-chain hotels, the growing numbers of individual travelers prefer to try unique and private ways to enjoy their leisure.

Japanese sentiment plays a big part in shaping the tourism market in Bali, because more visitors come from Japan than from any other country. Japan is also the target market for the Bvlgari hotel.”Asia for us is a strong market. Bvlgari have a big business in Japan, and we know that Bali is a Japanese destination point,” Trapani said.

Bvlgari’s rates start at $1,300 per night and go up to $14,000. The local government supports the idea, promising total secrecy and privacy for VIP guests. “We have celebrities and important figures holidaying in Bali and so far we believe we always keep the secrecy of their presence in our area, we assure that,” vice-regent Sudikerta said. But he still will not tolerate drugs. “Drugs is an exception,” he said. “Indonesia is very tough on drugs, and has recently sentenced six young Australians to death for heroin trafficking.”

News by The Age – theage.com.au

The airline will fly twice a week each way between Adelaide and Denpasar, Bali, from December 1. The airline announced special fares from $299 one-way, including taxes, which sold out this week. Hundreds of South Australians are expected to travel to the Indonesian island during the Christmas holiday period. Travel to the island was hit after the Bali club bombings in 2002 when 202 people, most of them foreigners, died.

Pacific Blue spokeswoman Amanda Bolger said response to the cheap airfares had been fantastic, especially around Christmas.
She said the airline would start with two flights a week and look to add more capacity if the demand was there.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show a 63 per cent growth in the number of Australians holidaying in the island paradise. Last year 8270 South Australians traveled to Bali compared with 5695 in 2006.

Harvey World Travel Glenelg owner Sue Yabsley has Bali accommodation packages from $271 for six nights. She said the direct flights were the “best thing to hit Adelaide travelers after the collapse of Air Paradise”. “Our phones rang hot when clients heard about the direct flights,” she said. “Diehard Bali fans are booking multiple trips and new clients are now choosing to go as the prices and flight times are just fantastic.”

Travel identity Phil Hoffmann welcomed the direct flights out of Adelaide and said it would be positive for Adelaide Airport. He said the direct flights made getting to Bali much more accessible without having to lose a day flying via another city.

News by Adelaide Now – news.com.au/adelaidenow/

Born in the far south on Addu Atoll near Gan, where the British military base was located and Didi worked as a young man, he set sail for the capital Male in 1976 to seek new opportunities. The journey took three days, with the passengers surviving on ‘garudhiya’ (Maldivian fish soup), rice, fish and coconuts. This was during the time when tourism started to develop in the region and Didi worked a number of different jobs, mostly laboring.

News broke of a new resort being built at the lagoon with its four islands where Anantara is now located, and in no time Didi was part of the building crew – and never left. That was 22 years ago…

“Once the resort was completed, I worked my way through the ranks. First as a waiter, then as a room attendant, and all the way to Island Chief. Here in the Maldives, every island or small lagoon of islands has a chief. It’s his job to oversee daily life; to make sure everyone is happy and to solve problems. I look after the island as if it’s my own home, and do whatever it takes to ensure the welfare of its people and visitors. That’s a job I will never get bored of!

“I get up at dawn, and right away do a tour of the island to check that everything is okay. I enjoy working with the staff to ensure they’re also proud of their island. Chatting to guests is such a pleasure too – especially when they return, because that means they had a really meaningful experience here the first time around.

“But the highlight for me is the storytelling nights we host for guests. I share with them stories that are passed on here from one generation to the next, the way we preserve our heritage. Stories about the history of the Maldives, our seafaring ancestors, the local people … They enjoy hearing about the legends and ghosts that are such a big part of our traditions and culture. We sit under the stars in a coconut grove, enjoy snacks inspired by our indigenous food and drink fresh tropical juices.

“Our heritage and the Maldivian people are what make this such a special place. By taking this journey back into time with us, guests can find out who we are, and where we come from. And that’s a place deep within our hearts…”

For hundreds of years throughout Thailand, people would leave a jar of water outside their house to provide refreshment and extend a welcome to the passing traveler. Anantara is taken from an ancient Sanskrit word that means ‘without end’, symbolizing the sharing of water and heartfelt hospitality is at the core of the Anantara experience.

Anantara resorts and spas are currently located in the seaside town of Hua Hin and on Koh Samui, both in the Gulf of Thailand, and in the Golden Triangle in the country’s north. In the world-renowned destination of the Maldives, the neighboring Anantara Dhigu and Anantara Veli are a 30 minute boat ride from the capital Male.

The newest member of the Anantara family, Anantara Seminyak Resort & Spa, opened in 2008 in the most fashionable district of Bali – the Island of the Gods. October 2008 will see the launch of Anantara Phuket Resort & Spa, situated in the serenity of Mai Khao Beach and just 15 minutes from Phuket International Airport.

“Bali is an iconic overseas destination for Western Australians. The new services by Virgin Blue will bring to four the number of airlines servicing the Perth to Bali route,” Mr Geatches said. “The extra capacity and greater created through the entry of Virgin Blue will mean that Bali is now within reach of more Western Australians.” The new Virgin Blue services will operate four times a week from Perth Airport’s international terminal (Terminal 1).

The Bali flights will mark the first time the Virgin Blue Group will operate direct international flights from both Adelaide and Perth.

News by news.com.au