I Gede Koyan Eka Putra
Make "Leak" intoa Tourism Package

This figure of Bangli community from Buahan Village has an adequately idiosyncratic idea. He proposes to pack a ‘leak’ tourism package. "Leak, according to public opinion of Balinese community, is something causing one’s hair to stand on end. It’s mystic and categorized into black magic," says the member of Bangli House Representatives, I Gede Koyan Eka Putra. So, why does he propose such an idea? To Koyan who is familiar with journalists, said tourism in Bali that has been declared as cultural from time immemorial, so it’s not excessive if leak can be packed into a tourism product. Faith in the existence of leak and black magic in Bali, according to Koyan, is element of Balinese culture that has been inherited through generations. This culture should not only be known by circle of Balinese ethnic, but also needs introducing to external world, chiefly tourists. "In a cultural context, leak is an invaluable cultural heritage of the predecessor," he says. "Leak does not always give connotation of black magic or voodoo, but depends on the moral of who studies or practises it. For those who learn it diligently up to advanced level, they will be able to achieve moksha (eternal life in heavenly realm)," he describes. In Bangli, Koyan explains, many people are deeply involved in the science of leak. He mentions the name Mangku Teja from Bangbang Village who has been renowned across Bali. "This figure can be used as resource person," he affirms. To commence this leak tourism package, the authorities should be able to facilitate the community who would like to develop this package. Through socialization activity, government can explain that the leak is neutral. Knowledge on leak can be learned and has either negative or positive side, depending on moral of people who engage in or learn it. (BTN/030)

Made Bangli
New GM Sahadewa Resort & Spa

Sahadewa Resort & Spa, Ubud is proud to introduce its newly appointed General Manager, I Made Bangli. This cordial and simple gentleman from Klungkung was born on 7 August 1965. "Prior to his new position, he was in charge as Sales Manager at Bali Desa Suites, Executive Housekeeper at Kind Villa Bintang and Manager at Yulia Village Hotel," he says congenially. As a tourism practitioner, I Made Bangli has amply long path of experiences. During 26 years, he received abundant experience at several hotels like Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, Senggigi Beach Hotel (Lombok), Melia Bali Villas & Spa Resort, Bali Desa Suites and Kind Villa Bintang. "Compared to Thailand, we’re still left behind in recovering our tourism industry. In Thailand, its government extremely active takes part in recovering the tourism sector, amongst them, by subsidizing the supporting sectors such as hotel. On the contrary, tourism of Indonesian, and chiefly Bali is hard to resurrect," he says when makes a visit to the office of Bali Travel News not long ago. Hopefully, supplied with rich experience owned, he could deliver something new to Sahadewa Resort & Spa. Congratulations to Mr. Bangli! (BTN/tar)

IB Alit Suka,
Executive Chef at Inna Grand Bali Beach

Inna Grand Bali Beach is pleased to announce Mr. I.B. Alit Suka as Executive Chef of Inn Grand Bali Beach. Mr. I.B. Alit started his career as cook at Nusa Dua Beach in 1983. He took the challenges and moved to Inna Putri Bali in 1985 as a Cook Supervisor. With his dedication and competency, IB. Alit received a promotion and moved to Sous Chef in 1997 at the same property. He got a chance to get new experience as Sous Chef at Inna Grand Bali Beach in 2001 and as chef of Inna Grand Bali Beach in 2005. I.B. Alit Suka, was born in 28 June 1962, loves sport, had been promoted as Executive Chef of Inna Grand Bali Beach in January 2006. With his extensive experience and cooking skills in various cuisines he will play a key role in the F&B of Inn Grand Bali Beach. (BTN/15)