AUSTRALIA - Western Australia passes adventure tourism operators law

eTN Asia/Pacific, 10-19-2006

The Western Australia government has imposed new strict standards for adventure tourism operators, in a move to protect tourists following some “near tragedies” in the state's wilderness areas.

Under a new legislation, accreditation will be compulsory for all adventure tourism operators in the state.

The state has also allocated 'more' than of A$500,000 to improve safety across the industry, with the bulk to be spent for its accreditation program.

"The changes have been made following some near tragedies in the state's wilderness area," said Sheila McHale.

"Our goal is all adventure tourism operators are properly assessed and accredited so that the lives of our visitors are safe," she added. "We want to make sure everybody in adventure tourism is properly accredited, competent and equipped."

While the majority of operators offering adventure tourism in the state are competent and accredited presently, it is still done a voluntary basis.

The accreditation program is one of the recommendations of a recent government review of adventure tourism.

MARKETS - PATA's Top Five Winners for First Quarter 2006

BANGKOK Pata.org, October 18, 2006

Travel and tourism arrivals across the Asia Pacific region expanded 4.5% in the first quarter of 2006 compared to first quarter 2005, according to the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)’s comprehensive and comparative listing of Asia Pacific destination performance.

That translates into nearly 3.5 million more arrivals for Asia Pacific destinations, year-on-year. PATA’s ‘First Quarter 2006 Quarterly Statistical Report’ (‘QSR’) shows which Asia Pacific destinations attracted the most increases in international visitor arrivals and from which source markets.

The top five origin-destination % growth performances for first quarter 2006 compared to first quarter 2005, (where passenger traffic was 25,000 or more) were:- 1) Russian Federation to Thailand (+138.2%) 2) China (PRC) to Thailand (+131.8%) 3) Italy to the Maldives (+126.9%) 4) Korea (ROK) to Thailand (+89.7%) 5) China (PRC) to Philippines (+87.1%) “Thailand clearly bounced back from the post- tsunami declines it suffered in the first three months of 2005,” said PATA Director-Strategic Intelligence Centre Mr John Koldowski.

In purely % growth terms, irrespective of volume, top five origin-destination growth performances for first quarter 2006 compared to first quarter 2005, were:- 1) Sweden to Bhutan (+200.0%) 2) Indonesia to Chinese Taipei (+145.0%) 3) Brunei to Cambodia (+143.6) 4) Russian Federation to Thailand (+138.2%) 5) Malaysia to Tahiti (+136.4%)

The top five origin-destination pairs with the greatest volume gains in first quarter 2006 over first quarter 2005 were:- 1) Hong Kong SAR to China (PRC) (+680,681) 2) China (PRC) to Hong Kong SAR (+553,052) 3) China (PRC) to Macau SAR (+492,748) 4) Hong Kong SAR to Macau SAR (+237,802) 5) Canada to USA (+150,232)

PATA’s ‘First Quarter 2006 Quarterly Statistical Report’ (‘QSR’), which was released last week, can be purchased at www.pata.org/catalogue. PATA members are eligible for discounts.

DEVELOPMENTS - APEC countries meet to boost tourism

eTN Asia, 10-18-06

Asia-Pacific tourism ministers and officials from the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member countries have concluded their two-day meeting in Hoi An, Vietnam. The aim for the meeting was to boost tourism growth among member countries, ahead of an APEC summit which is to be held in Hanoi next month.

In addition to taking summit delegates on a tour of its ancient town of Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary, both UNESCO world cultural heritage sites, Hoi An also hosted an APEC Tourism Fair, attracting visitors to some 100 pavilions.

Tourism ministers from the Pacific Rim countries met to discuss how to boost growth and investments, at the same time remove barriers in the tourism industry.

"Tourism is a very important industry for the APEC region," said secretariat spokesman Christopher Hawkins. "It covers many areas on the APEC agenda, from small business and transportation to counter-terrorism and emergency preparedness."

Matters discussed included raising airport capacity, reaching open-skies agreements to boost air travel, and ways to increase cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Vietnam's national tourism administration also proposed the setting up of an APEC Investment Forum to attract capital from investors interested in the tourism industry, in addition to rotating hosting of the annual APEC Tourism Fair.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has estimated that the tourism industry now employs over 100 million people in the APEC countries, with 30 million more jobs expected by 2010 when the industry will be worth over US$3 trillion dollars a year.

Despite facing natural and man-made disasters such as the Bali bombings, earthquakes, 2004 tsunami wave attacks, SARS and bird flu pandemic outbreaks and annual haze from forest fires, the growth of tourism in the Asia-Pacific region has not stopped.

"The industry has shown tremendous resilience to make significant strides and meet demands," said Vo Thi Thang, chairwoman of Vietnam National Tourism Administration. "Tourism has contributed significantly to APEC countries' economic development, helping to reduce poverty and provide job opportunities."

>>Full article

PHILIPPINES - Sarangani edu-tourism town draws thousands

Sun Star Davao, 10-18-06

MAITUM, Sarangani -- By promoting child rights and by protecting its watersheds, this town gets thousands of visitors each year in educational-tourism.

Its award-winning Child Friendly Movement (CFM), white-water tubing, heritage and nature-conservation sites are top edu-tourism draws. Since 2005, the town has received 27 CFM-related group tours from Baguio City, Pampanga, and Banaue. CFM learners also came from the Surigao provinces, Kidapawan City, Bukidnon, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Koronadal City, and Davao City, to name a few.

From January to September this year, close to 10,000 tourists have arrived. Their favorites were the river-tubing facility in Barangay New La Union, pawikan sanctuary in Old Poblacion, Lemlunay Research and Learning Center for farmers in Kalaong, and Pinol Cave -- origin of man-shaped burial jars dating back to 5 B.C. A town tour only takes one day. An overnight stay is more than enough to get familiar with this Ilocano and T'boli enclave.

"The new police station is also becoming a tourist attraction," said Beth Palma Gil, the municipal accountant and information officer. Chief Superintendent German Doria, Philippine National Police regional director, called it "one of the best" police stations and "far beyond the standards of our regional office" for its cleanliness, orderliness, and crime-solution efficiency. Doria cited the police's partnership with the community for this feat. "Tourists usually drop by this police station. Local children also visit the station because of it is child-friendly," Gil said. Senior Inspector Geronimo Dimayuga, the chief of police, would let children do some drills in exchange of chocolates and the children love it, she said.

Maitum's eco-tourism spots, child-friendly practices, good governance, and environment initiatives took the Regional Youth Science Camp here with more than 1,000 delegates. "They appreciated a lot what they saw and they promised to come back," Gil said. Mayor George Yabes, now serving his last term, has consistently championed his constituents' causes for the environment, child rights and rural development. Maitum, 107 km. west of General Santos City, has a population of 39,424 today. Its economy was buoyed up by the logging boom in the 60's and 70's. Commercial logging and the Muslim secessionist wars of the 70's have wrought their damage but the town springs back to life time and again.

In 2003, Maitum won the National Award for Most Child-Friendly Municipality. Maitum also gained the 2005 award from Gawad Galing Pook Foundation for promoting child rights. In 2002, village officials and residents of Barangay New La Union fought off a cooperative commercially logging their watershed in the guise of a community-based forest management agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

>>Full article

CHINA - National Day holiday in China proves to be a boon for its tourism industry

eTN Asia, 10-17-2006

The recent weeklong National Day holiday in China has proved to a boon for its tourism industry.

Beijing received 4.32 million visitors during the seven days, 1.8 percent up from last year, and tourism income crossed 3.6 billion yuan or US$455 million, according to the municipal vocation office.

In southern China’s Guangdong Province, the week saw visitors spend 3.2 billion yuan as the city received 6.55 million visitors, 3.39 percent up from the same time last year. East China’s commercial hub Shanghai welcomed more than four million visitors during the weeklong vacation.

As per the information available, the recent National Day holiday week, one of the nation’s three “Golden Weeks”, four big attractions -- the Summer Palace, Beijing Zoo, Beihai Park and the Temple of Heaven -- received 16 million visitors.

According to Xinhua news agency, 120,000 people visited the newly opened Happy Valley amusement park, while western Beijing’s Mentougou District with its ancient temples and well-reserved traditional village houses received more than 270,000 visitors resulting in an income of US$ 2.67 million.

The report added that the number of passengers going through the Shanghai Railway station hit a record high on October 1, when about 957,000 people traveled by train that day. From September 28 to October 7, the railway station handled 7.12 million passengers. Five additional tourist trains and 716 additional passenger trains were arranged during the holiday. The first weeklong vocation since the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway brought 11,536 visitors to the Potala Palacein the first six days, including 2,299 from other countries.

>>Full article

INDIA - hotel rooms full despite rising death toll

eTN Asia, 10-17-2006

The rising toll of chikungunya cases is casting a shadow over Kerala’s tourism industry, which is again expecting a record number of domestic and international arrivals.

Kerala tourism recorded a 36 percent increase of foreign tourist arrivals until June this year, compared to the same period in 2005.

"We are sending a newsletter to travelers, travel agents and tour operators to ally any anxiety about health fears," said B Suman, Kerala tourism director.

Added Sudheesh, secretary of the Kerala Hotel & Restaurant Association, "We have received cancellations specifically on account of deaths from chikungunya."

Malaysia, meanwhile, which receives a large number of foreign workers from Kerala, has issued a travel advisory against visiting Indian states affected by the chikungunya and dengue outbreaks.

As of Sunday, India's National Vector Borne Disease Control Center confirmed that the dengue death toll has crossed 100 nationwide, with over 5,000 affected.

"The number of dengue and chikungunya deaths has decreased due to sanitation drives and awareness campaigns," said Shakti Gupta from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

Said Nigel, a tourist from the UK, "We are using a lot of mosquito repellants, creams and lotions. I had a few mosquito bites, but nothing serious before seeking medical help."

Meanwhile, despite 21 confirmed cases of chikungunya deaths in New Delhi, hotel rooms have been fully booked until March next year. "Tariffs have shot up with the growing demand, while rooms rates have almost doubled," said Akhil Mathur from Le Meridian.

Said Anit Sarin, executive director of the Anantraj Group which is building nine budget hotels, "Five-star hotels have increased their rates two and a half times in the past 18 months, forcing budget hotels to increase their rooms rates to near five-star levels."

>>Full article

SINGAPORE - Genting and Star Cruises unveil Resorts World at Sentosa

ASIA Travel Tips .com, 17 October 2006

On Monday, Genting International and Star Cruises unveiled details of the consortium’s world-class Resorts World at Sentosa, its proposed integrated resort on Sentosa Island.

Resorts World at Sentosa, a Resort of resorts, will welcome some 10 million tourists by 2015, generating Sin$15 billion in tourism receipts, half of Singapore’s target. It will increase spending on sightseeing and entertainment per tourist from 2% currently to more than 10%.

There will be four world-class gated attractions at Resorts World at Sentosa offering the best of dry and wet for both young and old. Each attraction will be developed by a global brand name; all will be ‘must-visit’ venues.

Resorts World at Sentosa will be home to Quest Marine Life Park, the world’s largest oceanarium. This is a one-of-a-kind marine park, with an emphasis on family fun, providing visitors of all ages with interactive multi-sensory experiences as they learn about and discover the life of marine creatures and the need for ocean conservation.

The eight-hectare Quest Marine Life Park will be home to as many as 700,000 aquatic animals, including bat rays, dolphins and the world’s largest collection of coral reef and open ocean fish. The marine park will also house a 6.6 million gallon lagoon that allows visitors the chance to snorkel and dive with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world that can grow up to more than 14 metres in length.

This is the place for visitors to live once-in-a-lifetime experiences: hand-feed tiger sharks from an enclosed cage; interact up close and personal with dolphins; and swim among sea horses, clown fish and giant groupers in one of the longest reef swim encounters in the world.

Quest Marine Life Park will be designed and operated by one of the world’s leading marine encounter companies, Dolphin Quest.

Resorts World at Sentosa will also feature the Equarius Water Park, an exciting water theme park with a difference – one that is nestled under the natural canopy of Sentosa’s original forest, with the water rides integrated within the island’s natural tropical environment. The water park will be designed by Forrec Limited of Canada.

Incorporating the latest water theme park technology, Equarius Water Park features ‘Water Coaster’, a 450-m water flume that winds through tree tops and jungle; ‘Snakes and Ladders’, where water flows upwards; a surf pool that offers a variety of wave types to satisfy both wannabe and serious surfers; and a water-based adventure zone coined ‘The Cliffs’ that is specially designed to challenge any adrenalin-pumped teenager.

Another ‘first’ for Resorts World at Sentosa will be the Maritime Xperiential Museum, one of the only museums in the world dedicated to the celebration of the maritime heritage of Asia, the Asian voyages of discovery and the history of global trade as revealed through marine archaeology. The museum engages the visitors’ five senses to retell the fascinating history of the maritime Silk Route.

>>Full article

THAILAND - seizes initiative in airport battle

AFP , SINGAPORE, Monday, Oct 09, 2006, Page 10

A glitzy new airport that opened recently in Thailand reflects Asia's need for investment to cope with a fast-growing aviation sector, industry analysts say.

While the opening of Suvarnabhumi international airport has intensified rivalry within Asia for market share, analysts say an expanding aviation sector means there is enough business for everybody.

"We are not worried about over-investing," said Paul Behnke, director of economics at Airports Council International (ACI).

"There is under-investment in some of the key countries and frankly, airport capacity is in short supply," he said.

Passenger traffic in the Asian region is projected to grow 8 percent this year and 7.8 percent next year, faster than the global average of 5.1 percent for the same period, according to ACI.

Air freight traffic in Asia is expected to grow an average 6.9 percent in the 2004-2020 period against the global average of 5.4 percent, said the Geneva-based body whose 557 members operate more than 1,530 airports globally.

"The reality is the region needs new international capacity and we welcome new capacity," he said. "I don't see many airports out there that are terribly under-utilized."

Bangkok's new airport, which cost US$3 billion, has a capacity of 45 million passengers a year, well ahead of its rivals in Singapore and Malaysia.

That capacity is expected to more than double when it becomes fully operational, but for now it is on par with the eight-year-old Hong Kong International Airport which received 40.3 million passengers last year.

An additional US$15.8 million has been allocated for a budget airline terminal to open there next year.

Suvarnabhumi, which opened on Sep. 28, replaces Bangkok's creaking Don Muang which was straining under an annual load of 39 million passengers, two million more than it was designed for.

"In the case of the Bangkok airport, it definitely was a rational investment ... Don Muang was for years operating well above its design capacity and the resultant bottlenecks were keeping Thailand's aviation sector below its natural level," said Richard Pinkham, a Singapore-based analyst with the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).

"In order to keep things moving forward, investment in upgrading infrastructure was necessary," he said.

Asia needs to continue developing its key airports if the region's economies, especially the tourism sector, are to blossom, analysts said.

"Asia's major hubs will continue to have to invest in new airport capacity, to meet expected trade and tourism growth," said Peter Harbison, executive chairman of CAPA, a Sydney-based independent aviation consultancy.

"The capacity shortages run the risk of undermining hub competitiveness, not to mention inconvenience to passengers, while airport congestion can also lead to financial loss for airlines," he said.

John Koldowski, director for strategic intelligence at the Bangkok-based Pacific Asia Travel Association, said airport investment places the region in a strong position to cater to Asians' rising affluence.

"The near-term future for air travellers particularly is very, very strong," Koldowski said.

>>Full article

AVIATION - Viva Macau plans low-cost air service to central VN

Vietnam net bridge.com, 13/10/2006

VietNamNet Bridge – VivaMacau Limited intends to launch low-cost direct air service between Macau and central Vietnam in the first quarter of next year, according to a memorandum of understanding signed with Furama Da Nang Resort and Spa. Huynh Tan Vinh, deputy general manager of Furama Da Nang, signed the MOU with the budget airline at the resort on Wednesday during the visit to Da Nang City by a delegation of officials and business people from China's Macau Special Administrative Region. Under the MOU, the resort will cooperate with Viva Macau for accommodation and aviation services when the company flies to the central coast city in response to the big demand for air travel on the route. Viva Macau's interest proves that Vietnam is emerging as a potential market for budget airlines as Australia's Jetstar Airways looks set to launch three Sydney-HCMC weekly flights from late next month. The low-cost airlines active in Vietnam at the moment include Singapore's Tiger Airways and Air Asia, with the latter having just launching service between Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi a year after Malaysia's airline began its Hanoi-Bangkok service. Also yesterday, the resort inked another MOU with Macau-based travel firm Gray Line Tours Ltd. over their cooperative tourism activities and promotions in both destinations. Vinh said the MOUs with two Macau companies were important to bringing a large number of international travelers to not only Furama Da Nang but also the central coastal city.

>>Full article

DEVELOPMENTS - First Mindanao trade congress slated in Dipolog

Sunstar.com, (September 15, 2006 issue)

LOCAL and foreign investors and other stakeholders are to converge in Dipolog City for the first-ever Mindanao Trade, Investment, and Tourism Congress (MTITC).

The MTITC, which will be held for two days from October 5 to 6 this year, will bring together key business leaders, government officials, local and foreign investors, and entrepreneurs from Mindanao to discuss trade, investment, and tourism potentials.

Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Edgar Bagarinao said the MTITC aims to provide a better understanding of Mindanao as a super region, realizing its potentials in trade, investment, and tourism.

The Federation of Business Chambers of Mindanao Foundation Inc. (FBC-Mindanao) organizes the conduct of the two-day MTITC.

Bagarinao said the MTITC will also focus on Mindanao's strategic location within the East Asian region considering that Mindanao has the geographic advantage and potentials to be a transshipment center of trade in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga).

Among the invited resource persons to the MTITC are: president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Ambassador Donald Dee; acting chairman of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana; Corporate Affairs advisor of TVI Resource Development Philippines John Ridsdel; founding director and chairman of the Board of Directors of BIMP East Asean Business Council Vicente Paterno; Senator Manuel Villar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Canada Peter Sutherland; country Representative of the Asia Foundation Steve Rood; Tengku Datuk (Dr) Zainal Adlin, chairman of Sabah Tourism Board; Tourism Secretary Ace Durano; and Congressman Edgar Chatto, chairman of the committee on tourism of the House of Representatives.

DEVELOPMENTS - Basking on the beach, or maybe on the operating table

New York Times, 16 october 2006

Travelling to countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Costa Rica and India for medical and dental treatments cost about 20 to 80% less than at US

A growing number of Americans are traveling to countries like Thailand, Costa Rica and Malaysia for cosmetic, orthopedic and heart surgeries and other medical and dental treatments that cost 20 to 80 per cent less than at home.

The number of these travelers varies, depending on whom you ask, but there is no doubt that health travel is growing, hastened by the fact that 46 million Americans are uninsured and that health insurance costs are soaring.

In Bangkok, Bumrungrad International Hospital counts 55,000 American patients a year. It describes itself online to visitors much the way a hotel would, with photographs of rooms, lists of surgery prices and amenities for patients, like laptop computer rentals and secretarial services.

In Costa Rica, construction is under way on new medical retreats — basically hotels with nurses and medical amenities to help patients recuperate from surgery. In India, hospitals are sprouting that offer foreigners fine dining, marble bathrooms and manicured lawns. The hospitals promote the fact that they have credentialed physicians and a one-to-one ratio of nurses and patients.

Yet going overseas for medical care is not without risks. Life-threatening complications, possible with any surgery anywhere, can arise far from home, and medical travel brochures don’t always adequately inform consumers of standards for hospitals, medical providers and post-operative care.

>>Full article

INDIA - incredible tourism story only gets better

Hindustantimes.com, October 16, 2006

With Conde Nast Traveller ranking India as the fourth most preferred travel destination and Lonely Planet selecting the country among the top five destinations from 167 countries this year, India has finally made its mark on the world travel map.

Global recognition is evident from the rising number of India-bound tourists. From just 17,000 international arrivals in 1951, the number has grown to 39 lakh in 2005. According to the Ministry of Tourism, we have already clocked almost 30 lakh foreign tourists between January and September, as compared with 27 lakh during the same period last year.

In the past three and half years there has been a 45.5 per cent growth in foreign tourist arrivals, pushing India's foreign-exchange earnings from $3.5 billion in 2003 to $5.7 billion in 2005. Foreign tourists in India spent an average of $1,470 per person last year; nearly double the global average of $844. France, the top tourist destination in the world, earned only $556 per tourist last year. The ministry estimates that by the end of 2012, India's foreign-exchange earnings from foreign tourists will cross $12 billion. In fact, the World Travel and Tourism Council estimated that Indian tourism industry would grow annually at 10 per cent over the next decade, the highest in the world.

Tourism in India is the third largest net earner of foreign exchange and contributes 6 per cent to our gross domestic product (GDP). It also employs the largest number of people. In 2003-04, according to the National Council for Applied Economics Research, the industry employed 4 crore people directly and indirectly, which was 8.78 per cent of the total employment in the country.

Packaging India

Much of the credit goes to the Ministry of Tourism's high-decibel 'Incredible India' campaign launched towards the end of 2002. The campaign mounted a concerted effort in international print, electronic, and Internet media besides outdoor advertising and road shows to showcase the country's tourism-friendly aspects. "It helped create high visibility and brought in high-value traffic into the country," says Amitabh Kant, joint secretary, Ministry of Tourism. Earlier, the ministry was solely dependent on its overseas offices to promote India as a tourist destination.

>>Full article

BALI - Government Calls Temporary Halt to Pecatu Golf Project

Balidiscovery.com, (10/14/2006)

Following page-one coverage in the Bali press and growing protests from the public, a team of Badung government officials swooped down on the Bali Pecatu Graha Golf Course (BPG) project on Thursday, October 12, 2006, and ordered developers to cease all work until the necessary permits are in hand.

In their defense, the BPG developers claim that the basic permits and environmental studies required by law were in hand, dating from 1995 during the reign of IB Oka as Governor. Since that period, however, new rules on decentralization of authority now mandate the permits from local regencies (in this case, Badung) are now required.

A Growing Water Crisis

Speaking to the Indonesian language Bali Post, a local expert warned that the Ayung River provides most of the water needs of the South Island as well as the four regencies of Tabanan, Badung, Denpasar and Gianyar and that permits for project requiring large amounts of water should be carefully considered before they are granted.

The head of the local environmental authority, Made Adijaya, expressed a similar opinion to the Bali Post, reminding all involved of a warning in place since the mid-1990s urging that hotels and supporting elements be limited in the face of Bali's limited water resources.

The Bali Post also reports that the developers of the BPG project have drilled 4 wells to meet their water requirements and have established a large number of ponds to retain surface water to meet their needs. Drilling into the water table shared with other hotels, housing and a university campus on the peninsula - the 75-meter deep bore holes are reportedly producing water with a high alkaline content.

>>Full article

BALI - The Robber Barons of Bali

Balidiscovery.com, (10/14/2006)

A tourism dialogue conducted among leading authorities on Bali's tourism at the Udayana University on Tuesday, October 10, 2006, suggested that the island has no shortage of "robber barons" focused only on personal profit with little regard for the sustainability of local tourism.

Anthropologist I Wayan Geria suggested that Bali had entered into its present downturn and devastated state over the past twenty years, and is now badly in need of "recovery" efforts. In the current period, complained Geria, many tourism players are only interested in what they can "rob" and "steal" from Bali.

According to Geria, there are two distinct groups now operating in Bali tourism. The first group is comprised of those who make a meaningful contribution to Bali, while members of the second group are only concerned with how they can wrest from the island. Geria added: "The group who make significant contributions to Bali is relatively small while the majority (of tourism practitioners) only think what they can 'rob' from the island."

He explained that while the concept of "cultural tourism" was set out and elaborated in the local tourism laws promulgated in 1974, the principle, however, remains largely unachieved in practice.

A Crisis of Ethics and Morality Driven by Money

Geria pointed to a crisis in ethics in Bali tourism, claiming the crisis has its roots in tourism being rendered into little more than a commercialized commodity, as demonstrated in the increase in property sales; and the exploitation of water, land, forest and mountain resources.

At the same time there has developed an easy readiness to tolerate any changes demanded by tourism. This has resulted in an erosion of community ethics as regards environmental standards, economic standards and standards of human morality.

Another tourism and community leader, Professor Dr. Adnyana Manuaba, traced Bali's current problems back to 1986 and the increasing competition for natural resources, pressures on the environment, and the displacement of culture. The noted academic said there was a need for a common perception between the various elements of the tourism sector that provides for the interests of the agricultural and small industry sectors.

INDONESIA - Minister Wacik Responds

Balidiscovery.com, (10/15/2006)

As reported on balidiscovery.com [Tourism Minister to Be Ousted in Cabinet Reshuffle? ] and [ A Minister at Loggerheads with His Industry ], Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and Culture, Jero Wacik continues to face a torrent of criticism from leading figures within the Indonesian tourism industry with some of the more vocal critics even calling for his replacement in a promised reshuffle of the Presidential Cabinet.

In an interview carried in the Indonesian language Bali Post on Thursday, October 12, 2006, Minister Jero Wacik addressed the controversy regarding his management of the tourism sector and mounting criticism from the Indonesian Tourism Thing Tank (MPI).

The Interview

Bali Post: The Chairman of the Tourism Think Tank (MPI) Pontjo Sutowo appraises the Minister of Culture and Tourism work to date as lacking strategy?

Jero Wacik: That is not correct. I have spoken extensively with associations and the tourism industry on how to advance Indonesian tourism and I have worked to a maximum. If the figures are such (editor: the continuing decline in tourism arrivals), there's not much we can say. What's clear is that for the past two years since becoming Minister I have worked strategically and to a maximum.

Bali Post: What do you mean?

Jero Wacik: It's like this. I was appointed Minister of Culture and Tourism on October 21, 2004. The following day I met with tourism associations – the PHRI (Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association), ASITA (the Association of Indonesian Tour Agencies), and INNCA (Indonesian Association of Congress and Conference Organizers) – except for Pak Pontjo of the MPI, a much smaller organization. I sought input on what the industry needs. It developed that they complained that Chinese citizens who wanted to visit Indonesia had to travel 4 hours to Ghuang Zhoa to obtain a visa and that an Indonesian representative office needed to be opened in Ghuang Zhoa. They also ask that seat capacity on foreign flights be increased. Other issues included the need to create new markets outside the traditional markets of Australia, ASEAN and a handful of European nations. We agreed that these new markets would be China, India and the Middle East because these three countries were 'closed' by us.

Bali Post: The results?

Jero Wacik: I immediately spoke with the Foreign Minister and the Minister of Justice and Human Rights regarding opening a diplomatic office in Ghuang Zhoa to which they agreed. We also established a strategic plan for market development by undertaking promotion to three new markets that to date we had never done.

Bali Post: So, this includes strategic works?

Jero Wacik: To this needs to be added the meeting with 17 ministers with connections to tourism in Tampaksiring, Bali led by President Yudhoyono. Moreover, Pak Pontjo (MPI) personally came and witnessed this meeting. It should be noted that this is the first time the President has convened a working meeting on tourism issues. So, there was added value for our tourism industry. Is this considered non-strategic?

Bali Post: Sir, are you unhappy with these accusations?

Jero Wacik: Yes, that's right. Because I have worked for the people and I will report every year to the President. I am sure that my report and the synergy of my work over the past two years will not be coded 'red' because I have done much.

>>Full article

INDONESIA - A Minister at Loggerheads with His Industry?

Balidiscovery.com, (10/16/2006)

The criticism against Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, as reported by balidiscovery.com [ Tourism Minister to Be Ousted in Cabinet Reshuffle? ], is appearing to sharpen and steadily mount, based on evidence of the growing chorus of criticism and the resulting sharp rebuttal from Minister Wacik.

The Indonesian language Bali Post reports that a distinguished list of "founding fathers" of Indonesian tourism including Sany Sumakno, Tuty Sunario, Pontjo Sutowo, Ahmad Zacky, Sirnadj and Didien Junaedy recently gathered together in a Forum for Tourism Dialogue (FDP) to exchange views on the current condition of the industry.

According to Pontjo Sutowo, Chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Think Tank (MPI), Indonesia managed to achieve its highest rate of development back in 1996 when 6 million foreign visitor spent an estimated US$6 billion in foreign exchange. However, according to Sutowo, the advent of Indonesia's political reformation marked the beginning of a steady decline in the country's tourism fortunes. Sutowo said that there is a basic difference of perception between professionals in tourism and their counterparts in the public sector.

Sutowo, the former Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), admitted that a spirit to rebuild national tourism does exist together with a political will to do something constructive, as evidenced by the "tourism summit" of the Presidential cabinet convened by President Yudhoyono last year at the Tampaksiring Palace in Bali. Sutowo did, however, express surprise at the lack of follow up on the decisions made at that meeting. Similarly, he claims, there has been little follow-through on Parliament's initiative to draft a new basic law on tourism.

While crediting Minister Wacik as a Minister who is spirited and enthusiastic, Sutowo says the tourism minister has fundamentally failed to prioritize his work and identify the major tasks at hand. To dramatize his point, the MPI Chairman points to the drastic drop in Australian arrivals to Bali and the diplomatic tensions between Indonesia and Australia following the refugee status extended to a group of Papuan rebels. "This (situation) should have created a scale of priority that stressed better relations through tourism," insisted Sutowo.

In an even sterner mode, Sutowo told the Bali Post that the Minister has yet to form strategic policies to advance national tourism. Moreover, he insists there have been fatal errors, such as the sudden cancellation of the Asia Pacific Nation Tourism Organizations Conference and Exhibition scheduled for Yogyakarta in November 2006. Sutowo explained that if the Tourism ministry enjoyed better communication with the Indonesian travel industry this event would not have been cancelled; citing how aggressively Indonesia had fought to win the right to host the event.

Nyoman S. Pendit

Balinese tourism figure Nyoman S. Pendit told the Bali Post of his concerns on how tourism was on the retreat on several fronts. He cited the drop in tourism arrivals, issues of access, infrastructure limitations and problems of human resources as emblematic of areas suggesting a lack of proper government attention.

Also saddening to the tourism observer is the lack of overseas Indonesian tourism promotion offices. He explained that Indonesia has no overseas tourism representation while competing destinations maintain a strong foreign presence. According to Pendit, Singapore has 16 overseas tourism offices, Australia 17, Malaysia 22, Thailand 15 and the Philippines 12.

Tuti Sunario and Sani Soemakno

The Bali Post reports that Tuti Sunario and Sani Soemakno of the group Care Tourism expressed similar dismay, blaming the downturn in tourism numbers on the lack of cooperation and coordination between the private and public sector in addressing tourism development issues.

In separate comments to balidiscovery.com, Tuti Sunario explained that the role of responsbility of the Department of Culture and Tourism in developing national tourism remains unclear, making it difficult to asses or evaluate the Departmet's basic job performance. Sunario also pointed to the seeming "disconnect" between the stated desires of Indonesian tourism officials for greater access to certain markets (e.g. China and the Middle East) and the lack of support for these iniatives from natioal air carriers.

Ray Suryawijaya

The Vice-chairman of the Bali Chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Ray Suryawijaya told the Bali Post that the government lacks a clear view of the role to be played by the tourism sector. As a result, he insists government policies in support of tourism from the tourism ministry or other government agencies are few and far between. This occurs despite the fact that an estimated 7.5 million Indonesians work in tourism representing a 9.4% share to the gross domestic product.

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ACCOMMODATION - Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi To Open February 2007

Odyssey Magazine, October 16, 2006

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has signed anagreement with Al Jaber Establishment andTourism Development and InvestmentCompany, Abu Dhabi to manage the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, openingFebruary 2007. This is the second suchmanagement agreement between the twogroups; the first was for the Shangri-La Hotel,Dubai.

The 21-acre (8.5 hectare) property, includingthe luxury hotel, serviced apartments anddeluxe villas, complemented by dining,entertainment, retail and recreational facilities,will be the first development of its kind in AbuDhabi.

The Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, designedby Northpoint Architect of Johannesburg,South Africa, faces a 1,000-metre-long (3,300foot) private beach. The luxury hotel is 10minutes from the airport; 15 minutes from theAbu Dhabi Corniche and five minutes from thenew Convention Centre.

All accommodations will feature sea views,including the 214 guestrooms with room sizesover 45 square metres (484 square feet), 161studio to four-bedroom serviced apartments,and seven four to six-bedroom deluxe villas.

Each villa will have its own private swimmingpool. Dining choices will include a poolside bar, lobbylounge, all-day dining coffee shop, andrestaurants serving French, Vietnamese andChinese cuisine. A lively souk (Arabianmarketplace) will be a center for dining andcolorful shopping activity.

The hotel will feature CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, Shangri-La’s signature spa brand. Theconcept of CHI is to create a sanctuary oftranquillity inspired by the legend of Shangri-La, with therapies based on the ancient healingtraditions and rituals of the Himalayas andChina. In addition to CHI, recreational facilities willinclude a health club, five outdoor swimmingpools and water sports. A 700-metre-long(2,296 foot) waterway with ‘abras’ (Arabgondolas) will transport guests on itsmeandering pathway through the property.

DEVELOPMENTS - UNWTO sees promising future for rural tourism

eTN Asia, 10-12-2006

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) regional representative for Asia and the Pacific sees a “promising future” for development of rural tourism, especially in China. This view was expressed at the recently concluded Rural Tourism Forum, held in Guizhou province, which was attended by more than 200 tourism industry representatives and experts from 16 countries.

Xu Jing, UNWTO's regional representative, "Rural tourism offers clear tangible benefits to villagers, and relaxation for city dwellers."

Experts who gathered for the forum, which was jointly organized and sponsored by the UNWTO, World Bank and China National Tourism Administration, agreed that apart from meeting its key goal of alleviating poverty worldwide, rural tourism can help to bridge the divide between cities and countrysides.

"Apart from conserving its heritage, rural tourism should also create financial opportunities for villagers, stimulate the overall economy and cultural development of rural areas," said Francesco Frangialli, secretary general of UNWTO. "It also helps the underprivileged, women, the elderly, children and the disabled."

The experts further recommended the development of Guizhou without losing its unique culture and landscape.

"Local ownership and control under the village tourism associations will ensure fair distribution of profits and benefits. Local stakeholders should be fully involved in both planning and implementation of projects, without which it cannot be successful and sustainable," said the forum's communiqué.

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CHINA - opts to shut melting glaciers in its northwestern Xinjiang region to tourists

eTN Asia, 10-13-2006

As China battles to clean up its heavily polluted waterways and stave off water shortages across arid northern regions that have been exacerbated by waste and mismanagement, the authorities have decided to shut melting glaciers in its northwestern Xinjiang region to tourists.

It is being said that tourists littered, polluted and even drove across the ice that provides water to millions, the official Xinhua agency reported.

The glaciers in the Tianshan, or heavenly mountains, supply 2.3 million people in the regional capital Urumqi with drinking water but are shrinking by about 25 feet a year because of global warming and increased human activity, the report said. “Travel agencies had been offering unauthorized tours that drew around 2,000 visitors each year for as little as 20 yuan, or $2.53 per person. As well as driving across the ice, careless tourists had damaged research equipment on one of the country’s most closely studied glaciers, the report added. Glaciers covering China’s Qinghai-Tibet plateau, known as the “roof of the world,” are also shrinking by seven percent a year,” it reported.

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PHUKET - Radisson Plaza Resort Phuket Panwa Beach to open in 2008

ASIA Travel Tips .com, 12 October 2006

The Radisson Plaza Resort Phuket Panwa Beach, located on the picturesque south-eastern tip of Phuket in Thailand, is scheduled to open in the latter half of 2008.

The four storey resort will comprise of five accommodation wings with 217 rooms and villas. In keeping with the local environment, the resort will take on a Thai contemporary design with mixed rooflines and structural details to provide a ‘Village’ feel.

The resort will be a combination of water and jungle themes, and contribute to the sustainable future of Phuket through the innovative design of water catchment areas in the form of ponds for re-use of water in the resort’s landscaping. The resort’s restaurants will also draw heavily on the exotic fruits and vegetables to be grown on the grounds.

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