Recent bombings of the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta did not stop global travel magazine Travel and Leisure from naming Bali its Best Island in the World this year. The paradise island beat out other unique islands like the Galapagos islands in Ecuador, Kauai in Hawaii, and the Maldives.

Eco-tourism is a modern niche market product, which will grow even in the wake of the global financial crisis. Spiced with adventure, it is a kind of tourism that guarantees fun, education and fitness. Bali ECO Adventure is a company, which started operation just a year ago and already offers a must to do as [...]

Bali is an island of contradictions. A place where wild goats can feed on the side of the road, five minutes away from a brand new Mercedes Benz showroom. Where opulent hotels co-exist moments from an orphanage sleeping 13 beautiful, unfortunate children to a room.

Jakarta Post reports that Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has now confirmed that Bali will move ahead with plans to build a second airport near its northern shore. This announcement came after an order from Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla decreeing that the expansion of Bali’s current airport in Tuban must move ahead and be [...]

Late October 2008 at the venue of Asian-European Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received the unwelcome news from the President of the European Commission informing that EU to extend blacklisting Indonesian aircraft by by at least another 3 months. The status prohibits any Indonesia registered aircraft for landing within or flying [...]

Garuda Indonesia has announced a decision to postpone its return to Brisbane-Bali route until further notice. Senior General Manager Australia and South-West Pacific, Poerwoko Soeparyono stated that, despite an acknowledged over-capacity on the route, Garuda Indonesia had remained committed to bringing a full-service Bali option to Queenslanders. Poerwoko explained: “However, an unforeseen focus on travel [...]

Uncertain oil prices and a worsening global financial crisis have prompted Indonesian aviation industry observers to project a potential downturn of between 10 and 15% in passenger totals in by year end 2008. Foreshadowing this downturn, only 23 million passengers were carried by Indonesian carriers through the end of September 2008. This compares with a [...]

Police and military tighten security measures at all Bali sea and air gateways. Kompas daily reminds passengers using the ferry crossing from Ketapang (East Java) to Gilamanuk (West Bali) to be sure to bring an official form of identification or face the risk of being denied entry to Bali.

Much touted Padang Bai – Nusa Penida ferry service ceases operations just eight months after launch. Beritabali.com and Bali Post report that the RoRo or Roll-On Roll-Off ferry service connecting Padang Bai the neighboring smaller island of Nusa Penida has ceased operations effective September 13, 2008, due to a lack of operating funds. Nusa Jaya [...]

Spanish air carrier Gadair declares an interest in flying to Bali. Bisnis Indonesia reports that Spanish carrier Gadair European Airlines is seeking to establish air service between Spain and Indonesia. The Indonesian Ambassador to Spain, Slamet Santoso Mustafa, said Gadair is seeking traffic rights to both Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali) via international flights departing from [...]