Breaking The Fasting

NUSA DUA - Community Involvement of Melia Benoa All Inclusive Resort recently arranged a program of breaking the fasting together. "Yayasan Al Islam Hidayatullah", a Moslem orphanage located at Kepaon, Denpasar was chosen as the place for this activity. With approximately 75 boys aged from 7 – 15 years old, we had an interesting discussion and religious lecture. When the day turns into sunset, which means it was a time to break the fasting, we had ta’jil, sweet appetizer, and then we prayed together. The program ended by having dinner together. (BTN/*)

Studying Tourism in Bali

GIANYAR - University students from USA, who joined SIT (School for International Training) Study Abroad program, took a lecture on "tourism in the era of uncertainty" in Bedulu Village, Gianyar on October 10, 2006. Invited resource person on the lecture was A. A. Gde Raka Dalem, from the Research Center for Culture and Tourism of Udayana University Denpasar, who is also the deputy chairperson of the Tri Hita Karana Tourism Awards programs. He said that Bali faces a big challenge in maintaining its tourist attractions, especially for those related to the intangible culture heritage. "Besides getting economic benefits from tourism businesses, the Balinese may face a risk of losing identity", Raka Dalem said. He further added that Bali needs a special management strategy to keep its uniqueness so it can compete with other tourist destinations worldwide. Many questions were asked by international students who were interested in the presentation. Among others, how "Ajeg Bali Programs" can improve the competitiveness of human resources in Bali. (BTN/028)

Web Launching

UBUD – In order to give information and data accurately for the visitor who come to "Wanara Wana" (monkey forest), tourism object, the management launched its new web-site www.monkeyforestubud.com. According to Made Gunarta, the promotion head section of the Monkey Forest tourism object, the launching aimed to give the opportunity to the tourists to easily access the information and data accurately. In addition, it also aims to develop the potentials and establishment of the artists that belong to the village of Padang Tegal, Ubud. On that occasion also the official establishment of the new office of Information center of Monkey Forest was announced and this event was attended by the Regent of Gianyar. The launching was cheered up by several activities like art appreciation from eight local artists who made monkey paintings and also the Kecak dance from the village of Padang Tegal, Saturday (21/10). (BTN/rai)

Temple Ceremony

BADUNG – On the 4th full moon (Sasih Kapat), Saturday (7/10), Hotel Bali Tropic Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua held a ceremony at its hotel temple. All Hindu staff members attended the ritual ceremony and it received good attention from the guests of Bali Tropic Resort. Seen in the picture is the ritual ceremony which took place on the beach. (BTN/015)

Mr. Ardika Visited Karangasem

KARANGASEM – Friday (29/9), the former Minister of Tourism and Culture, Mr. I Gede Ardika and his group visited the Karangasem Regency. The group was welcomed at Candi Beach Cottages – Candidasa. Mr. Ardika met face to face to the Karangasem Regent, Mr. I Wayan Geredeg and discussed several points according to the effort how to develop the tourism sector in Karangasem. According to Mr. Ardika, Karangasem can be the departure point of Bali as a world culture and nature heritage. In order to realize the program, it is needs integrated tourism developing by focusing on the local society, by establishing tourism villages, such as Budakeling village as a Bonsai supplier village and Sibetan Village for snake fruit Agro tourism. Karangasem is not needed as a "destination based on the market", but should be maintaining it specialization. On that occasion, The Regent of Karangasem explained the cruise harbor planned at Amuk, Padangbai. A number of Karangasem officers and the member of PHRI Karangasem attended the activity. (BTN/*)

Awards for Environment Conservation

KARANGASEM – About 19 people, representing schools, environment rescuers, government and society, have received the Bali environment conservation award. The award is given based on the final assessment of cleaning and leafy competition in Bali. According to the Balinese Governor, this competition is held so that the Balinese people can keep sustaining their environment. It is important to make Bali become "BALI" (Bersih = clean, Aman = safe, Lestari = sustain and Indah = beauty) and based on the Balinese philosophy named "Tri Hita Karana" concept. Besides of delivering the awards to the winners, the event was also cheered up by letting free pigeons and planting new seeds. The event took place at the wantilan hall of Besakih temple, Thursday (12/10) and was attended by government officers, Non Government Organizations and the local community of the Karangasem Regency. (BTN/rai)