News

Bali Headlines

2010-02-22

LOMBOK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT STILL ON TARGET

 Lombok's new International Airport has passed its first test. A variety of different aeroplanes have effected landings and take-offs to test the runway construction. All went according to plan. Now that the major construction phase has been completed comes the more intricate stages to install all the fixtures and fittings‚ baggage handling machinery‚ security equipment‚ air traffic control and so on. Still on target for opening late 2010.

 

BALI SPIRIT FESTIVAL RETURNS TO UBUD

 Bali Spirit Festival Kicks off its 3rd Year in Ubud Bali‚ March 31 – April 4, 2010 featuring a wealth of talented and respected creative masters of yoga‚ dance and music from around the world. The event centered on the grounds of The Purnati Center for The Arts in Batuan just 10 minutes south of Ubud‚ merges the indigenous and rich cultures of Indonesia with east and west in the spirit of learning‚ collaborating and celebrating creative and spiritual diversity

BULGARI CHEF WINS WORLD CLASS HONORS IN CHILE

I Wayan Wicaya‚ Executive Sous Chef at the Bulgari Resort Bali had to travel an arduous two-year battery of local, national and regional competitions before earning the right to represent Indonesia and Asia in the world finals of the Global Chefs Challenge 2010. "The road to Chile was paved with hard work‚ skill‚ creativity and many smaller hurdles and to win this most prestigious prize is absolutely amazing and a confirmation of how far Indonesia has come in developing our local chefs to international standards‚" said Darren Lauder of Nusa Dua Beach Hotel who is also Vice-President of Bali Culinary Professionals (BCP).

Arriving back in Bali on Tuesday‚ February 2‚ 2010 after the long series of flights from Chile‚ I Wayan Wicaya received an enthusiastic welcome due a returning hero from friends, family and colleagues at Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport. Too precious to be entrusted to his luggage‚ Wayan was carrying a trophy signifying one of the culinary world's most prestigious honors – winner of the Global Chefs Challenge 2010

Bali Targets 2.3 Million Foreign Tourists for 2010

Local Bali news reports that the Bali Provincial Tourism Office has predicted that 2.3 million foreign tourists will visit the island during 2010. This number is higher than the 2.2 million achieved in 2009 and is a substantial increase over the 1.8 million recorded in 2008. Ida Bagus Subhisku‚ the head of the Bali Tourism Office, reported on January 25, that he is optimistic that the 2010 target can be achieved if current arrivals figures are taken into account.  Early figures show around 6‚220 foreign tourist arrivals per day in January 2010 compared to 4‚000 daily arrivals for the same month in 2009.  Several international conventions later in the year are said to be buoying his optimism.

Subhisku also boasted that some 40 cruise ships are expected to visit Bali in 2010 carry a total of 45‚000 visitors.

Giordano Faggioli to join Ayana Resort and Spa

Ayana Resort and Spa Bali has announced the appointment of their new Executive Chef Giordano Faggioli‚ who will oversee all F&B services in the hotel. Mr Faggioli brings with him over 20 years experience in luxury hotels and restaurants‚ including Executive Chef positions at the St Regis Beijing, the Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai, and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Mr Faggioli says: “I had heard many good things about the property and was excited to work with Horst Schulze and his team at West Paces. Ayana's reputation is first-class as a luxury destination that provides a unique and memorable guest experience‚ and this is recognized by the many awards it has won. I feel privileged to be a part of this team.  The Balinese are well-known for their hospitality and friendliness‚ and now I can understand why this is so often voted the World's Number One island. It truly is a beautiful place with beautiful people.”