Monica’s Key to Success

For Ir. Monica Suci Handayani, managing a villa in Bali was not her previous desire. That coincidence happened when she was traveling and enjoying the village atmosphere in this Island of God. ‘Seeing the land was suitable, I tried to make a villa,’ said the Director of PT Mardia Cipta, a contractor company in Surabaya, to Bali Travel News.
This alumnus of the Architecture Department, Petra Christian University, Surabaya in 1979 recounts that since the beginning she has been involved in the construction service especially for boutique housing. It means, she only made the design and pictures of boutique type hotels. The basic concept that was used for construction is to unite people with nature. The point is that the construction building may also be a place for rest and recreation.
This mother with 2 sons, who was born on 12 December 1953, adds that today people are getting bored with their daily routines that often restrict them from nature. To solve the problem can be done by interacting with nature. Moreover, each of her building designs was inspired by the beauty and peace of Bali Island. ‘After I graduated in Surabaya, I continued my studies in Germany to broaden my knowledge of interior design. On my return in 1983, I tried to watch over the business chances relating to my skill. In 1985, I founded an enterprise, which has now become my income,’ she said.
Then, what is the recipe for success? ‘Openness, and doing meditation in seeking the idea for the building designs,’ says Monica, who is also fond of spiritualism. (BTN 015)

I Made Sumohon Applies Special Strategy

The leading personage of Sangeh Natural Tourist Object Management, Mr. I Made Sumohon, has used his physical and mental ability to promote visits there following a drop of about 90% in tourist numbers due to various tragedies suffered by international communities. Among these tragic events, there have been Bali’s Bomb, the worldwide spread of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and Presidential Decision No. 18 on the Free Short Visit Visa Tourist to this island, not to mention problems emerging in relation with the Desa Adat traditional village.
Sumohon (35), a former employee of Kartika Plaza Beach Hotel and a Japanese restaurant, would apply a special strategy to promote local tourism. He has mobilized 20 experienced workers to be responsible for cleanliness, tourist security, and organization of traders as well as making sure that both tourists and guides can relax and enjoy watching the apes. In well-organized teamwork, Sumohon, among others has succeeded in taming about 500 apes living in Sangeh forest park. Visitors need not be afraid of the monkeys being aggressive.
The success achieved in restructuring the Sangeh tourist object has come within less than the 3 months determined by Sangeh Village Chief to restore the number of visits to the park to pre-Bali Bombing levels. ‘There has been a monthly visit of about 6,000 tourists, with an average income of Rp 20 million Rupiah taken by the Desa Adat Sangeh traditional village,’ Sumono said to Bali Travel News. He added that 33% of entry tickets sale is used to pay the employees salaries and 26 % of the sales is contributed to Badung Regional Government. (BTN 015)

Asakura - Japanese Executive Chef

In its search for Japanese Culinary excellence, Nikko Bali Resort & Spa has succeeded in employing and soliciting the services of Chef Asakura for its Benkay Japanese Restaurant. His most recent claim to fame was at the locally acclaimed Kinokawa, where he has put his name to being the “Best Japanese Chef” on the island of Bali.