Republika Online reports that PT Bali Permata Indah will build a Vita Life Spiritual Healing World Centre near Tabanan, 50 kilometers northwest of Bali’s capital city of Denpasar. Ronny Tome, the President Director of PT Bali Permata Indah told the press at a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, April 18, 2008, that the resort covering 18 hectares and representing an US$100 million investment is the first of a planned network of similar resorts in 11 countries.

Tome said the Bali location was chosen as a spiritual healing center because of its rural village setting and its magnificent panoramas. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2008 with commercial operations to commence in 2010. Aimed at the middle and upper markets, developers say the main markets for visitors to the project will be South Asians, Europeans and Americans.

The owners have pledged to maximize employment opportunities at the new resort for villagers from the surrounding communities of Wangaya Betan, Belilang, and Mangesta and to purchase agricultural produce from local farmers.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Regent (Bupati) of Tabanan, Adi Wiryatama, welcomed the new investment in his regency saying he hope the project would be completed as planned and not “sold off” to other investors. Wiryatama also called on all parties to use negotiations and peaceful consensus in settling any problems that may arise during the development and operation of the resort.

News by Bali Discovert Tours – balidiscovery.com