Bali tourism, after having been in the dark shadows of terrorist activities, may soon be on the road to recovery. The US government has endorsed the Indonesian tourism capital by lifting its almost decade-long travel advisory.
The move is expected to have a domino effect on Bali’s tourism, with other countries following the US action.
“The US government has lifted the warning due to objective improvements made by the Indonesian government in its current security situation,” said an official statement from the US embassy in Indonesia, emailed to media organizations.
In 2000, the US State Department issued a travel warning following several bombings in the country’s capital, Jakarta.
The twin Bali bombings in 2002 resulted in the death of more than 240 foreign tourists, mostly Australians on holiday in the island who died as a result of the explosions, blamed on the regional Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist network.
Every year since then both the Australian and Indonesian governments have held a remembrance ceremony in Bali as a mark of respect to those who died in the bombings. However, Australia, which claims 88 Australian tourists were killed in the first Bali bombing, is yet to lift its travel advisory.
The Indonesian government has since then prosecuted and convicted winning praise from the international community due to Bali’s attractions as a holiday destination.
“The Indonesian government has disrupted, arrested and prosecuted numerous terrorist elements,” said US Ambassador Cameron Hume, adding there has been “significant” improvements in the country’s security situation.
Ambassador Hume said he expects more US businessmen, tourists and scholars to visit Indonesia following Sunday’s announcement, “helping to expand trade, tourism and educational exchange between both countries.”
Increased security precautions since the bombings include sweeping cars for bombs using metal detectors at hotels, shopping malls and other public buildings.
In a statement following the US announcement, Dino Djala, spokesman for Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said the US move is a very good and positive sign. “It will help remove psychological barriers that have prevented Americans and others from going to Indonesia.”
Major General Ansyaad Mbai, Indonesia’s anti-terror official, was quoted as saying, “It will push us to be more effective in handling security matters. The US decision would not slow our efforts to battle extremists.”
By Yusof Sulaiman.
Source: Travel Video
May 28th, 2008
The Guinness 9 Ball Tour in Aug 31-Sep 2 last year saw a fitting finale in Indonesia.
Indonesia has historically been known as an exotic land where the people are as warm as the yearlong sunshine, and nowhere is this more apparent than on the island of Bali.
Located just off the Eastern tip of the major island of Java, this exotic crown jewel of the Indonesian archipelago was the venue of the Grand Finals of the Guinness 9 Ball Tour 2007, welcoming to its sandy shores a host of 10 of Asia’s best 9-ball pool players.
Tropical paradise: Bali played host to the Guinness 9 Ball Tour Grand Finals in 2007, which saw 10 of Asia’s top pool players converging on this Indonesian island for their chance at winning the coveted title.
Held from Aug 31-Sept 2 at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Nusa Dua, Bali, the final and most eagerly anticipated leg of Asia’s most prestigious pool tournament was played out in emphatic fashion by Asia’s top cue-masters. Having picked up the most qualifying points over the first five legs of this tournament, which were held in diverse locales like Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Genting Highlands, Singapore and Shanghai before arriving here, these 10 players were the best from an already elite pool of champions.
Featuring the likes of former World Pool Association (WPA) Champions Wu Chia-Ching from Chinese Taipei, Ronato “Ronnie” Alcano from the Phillipines, upcoming Taiwanese cueist Chang Jung-Lin, Malaysian pool stalwart Ibrahim Amir, and newcomer Dharminder Singh Lilly from India, the finalists came with impressive credentials.
It all came down to a nail-biting finale, which saw Chang Jung-Lin of Taiwan going head-to-head against Lee Vann Corteza of the Philippines to determine who would walk away with the title, as well as the prize money of US$36,000.
Both played exceedingly well, but in the end, Chang Jung-Lin triumphed over his worthy competitor 11-8. Jung-Lin was ecstatic over his win.
“Now that I’ve won my first international title, it gives me immense relief and joy because it means that all my years of training has finally come to fruition. It’s more than just the monetary reward – it’s about being recognised as an international player that makes this victory mean so much to me,” he said.
Taking aim: Lee Vann Corteza places his shot and pockets the ball with pinpoint accuracy against Chang Jung-Lin at the finals of the Guinness 9 Ball Tour Grand Finals in Bali.
To spread the excitement before this grand finale, the organisers had four other cities in Indonesia – Medan, Bandung, Surabaya and Jakarta – host a speed pool tournament for amateur pool players. Known as the Guinness Black Challenge, these initiatives gave pool aficionados the chance to participate in a unique test of their skill, speed and strategy, as well as get the opportunity to go to the Grand Finals in Bali and hang out with all the professional players there.
Certainly it was a prize worth savouring for any pool fan!
The Guinness 9 Ball Tour is the ultimate stage for world-class pool professionals and offers a unique opportunity as a development ground for Asia’s top pool players to compete against each other.
The top 10 players who participated in 2007’s inaugural Grand Final in Bali not only stood the chance to win their share of US$70,000, but also earned an automatic berth in the World Pool Association Championships to make their mark on a truly global stage.
With so much having happened at last year’s grand final, you can surely expect the bar to be raised for this year. Guinness, the number one international premium black beer in the world, is proud to continue its position as the title sponsor of the 9 Ball Tour.
The Guinness 9 Ball Tour is sanctioned by the Asian Pocket Billiard Union (APBU) and organised by ESPN STAR Sports’ Event Management Group (EMG). This year, the tour will bring all the skills, tactics and prestige of Asia’s most prestigious 9-Ball Tour to Malaysia with the third leg of the tournament taking place in Genting Highlands Resort from 30 May to 1 June.
We are the champions: Chang Jung-Lin accepts his trophy and cash prize after a thoroughly engaging match against Lee Vann Corteza.
With a convergence of 24 of Asia’s best pool players in one venue, where they will showcase all their skills and accuracy as they vie to win this leg, while racking up more points to qualify for the finals to be held in Jakarta this year, there isn’t anywhere else that any self-respecting pool fan should be at than in Genting.
Be sure to find out more details on how to get tickets for this can’t miss leg of the tournament, as well as other information on Asia’s most prestigious pool tournament at www.guinness.com.my
Source: The Star
May 24th, 2008