“We don’t want our clients to fly over ten hours from Europe just for a two-day visit to Komodo, said Heinz Hirter, European tour operator on a fam trip to Flores,as he captured the warm hospitality of the people at the traditional village of Belaraghi on Flores island. “Komodo is surely spectacular, but they (their clients) also need other attractions”, he continued.

Heinz Hirter and 10 other operators from Europe and America were in Flores last October in search of new destinations and tourist attractions.

“Kelimutu and Komodo are the highlights of Flores for the time being, but out there are still a lot of attractions that can be introduced to tourists which can also help raise the welfare of the people of Flores through Tourism” said Ruedi Nuetzi, Asia’s program director of Swisscontact who invited 10 leading tour operators from Europe and 5 from Indonesia to join the Familiarization Trip (Fam Trip) he initiated to find new attractions.

 There are a lot of attractions that deserve to be introduced to the world in order to reduce the burden on the Komodo National Park, which has risen rapidly in popularity but has also become physically threatened by the sudden increase of visitors, said Nuetzi as the group on tour met the heads of each district Tourist Office.

A number of accommodations in Maumere, Moni, Ende, Bajawa and Ruteng are really liked by tour operators who agreed that their clients will enjoy staying at clean, well maintained, and friendly hotels and guesthouses.”Clean bathrooms, fans or air conditioners, warm and friendly staff, -  that will be enough. Add Wi-fi availability, that would be perfect” said John Hessing, Dutch tour operator who specialized his tour packages for those with hearing disabilities.

“We have been sending guests to Indonesia on a regular basis. The package I prepared attracted much attention. I prepared for my clients to stay 22 days in Flores, and I’m convinced that this tour package is very interesting” said Ruud Jansen, travel consultant for a tour operator in the Netherlands.

“The scenery here is spectacular! This is what we need to compose a tour package. Kids and everyone here are always waving and smile joyfully to greet visitors” said James Jeske, tour operator from the U.S.A

Although some local tourist offices were concerned that their regions would only become a one day-transit place, all tour operators convinced them that this will not be the case.

Most important for their clients is that destinations must keep the authenticity of the attractions, find other highlights in their areas, and inform them about this so tourists can stay much longer.  “Instead of staying for just one day, tourists can stay for 10 days if it can be filled with various activities and attractions” said Hank at the cool town of Ruteng, West Manggarai.

Besides visiting the habitat of the Komodo dragons on the islands of Komodo and Rinca, today the Komodo seas are also already a favourite with world class divers for the huge variety of fish, giant manta rays, turtles, dolphins and whales that can be admired in these waters.

A visit to Komodo is made through the town of Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores, where new hotels and other tourist facilities have sprung up. There are regular flights daily from Bali to the Komodo Airport on Labuan Bajo. 

 The island of Flores is wellknown for the spectacular three-colored lakes of Mt. Kelimutu, the spiderweb ricefields at Manggarai, Easter celebrations at Larantuka, the prehistoric “hobbits” caves at Liang Bua, megalithic villages, beautiful woven textiles and a whole lot more.

Source : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/news/detail/530/komodo-flores-indonesia-s-latest-exciting-destination

Supported by : JavaTourism.com, LintangBuanaTours.com,JavaBikers.com,Liburs.com,TourSumatra.com,FloresTour.com,Java-Adventure.com

Aerowisata Hotels & Resorts, a chain hotel group spread in a number of locations across Indonesia including  Bali, Lombok, Pekanbaru, Bandung and Papua,  has been certified “Eco Hotels” by TUV Rheinland from Germany. 

Aerowisata, a subsidiary company of Garuda Indonesia, gained recognition for its commitment to enhance aspects in waste management, water treatment, conservation, efficient electricity usage, and better overall environmental development.

The certificate was presented by President Director of TUV Rheinland Indonesia, Muhammad Asana at Hanoman Garden, Sanur Beach Hotel, Bali on Tuesday, 15 November 2011, that was also attended by executive Vice President of Aerowisata Hotels & Resorts, Anton Pratono.

In his speech, Anton stated that the certification is an acknowledgement for Aerowisata hotels reducing negative impacts and preserving the environment, which are part of the Green program conducted by Garuda Indonesia.  Furthermore, this achievement is hoped to attract more international tourists, especially from Europe, since Europeans are very concerned with preserving the earth.

TUV Rheinland is a global provider of technical, safety and certification services with as guiding principle the achieving of sustained development of safety and quality in order to meet the challenges arising from the interaction between man, technology and the environment.

“We are proud to announce that Aerowisata Hotels & resorts  is the first hotel groups that received the ‘Eco Hotel’ certification from TUV Rheinland”, said  Muhaman Asana, President Director of TUV Rheinlad Indonesia”. The Eco Hotel certification is valid for three years, and every three months an evaluation will be conducted” said Asana. If the standard is not met, then the certification will be withdrawn.

Nowadays, an eco-friendly hotel has become the priority for international tourists, especially from Europe. Thus, the certification becomes an important assurance of the ‘eco-friendliness’ of a hotel or accommodation.

 “Aerowisata Hotels & Resorts are continuously conducting every effort to implement the environmental commitment through a series of training for the staff and encouraging our guests to support the ‘Eco Hotel’. As a result we have received this certification, which will benefit us in the promotion of our  hotels, especially to visitors from Europe” said Anton.

General Manager of Sanur Beach Hotel, Francis Dehnhardt, expressed his gratitude to all the staff and employees for the achievement in gaining the ‘Eco Hotel’ certification. The process in gaining recognition has been on-going since the hotel was first established about 37 years ago. “Even though it took a big investment, the certification has helped us a lot in reducing operational costs and also impacted in a significant increase in occupation” Denhardt stated.

Along with the Sanur Beach Hotel, there are 5 other Aerowisata Hotels that also received the Eco Hotel Certification. These are: the Senggigi Beach Hotel in Lombok, the Grand Preanger Hotel in Bandung, the Labersa Grand Hotel & Convention Center in Pekanbaru, and the Aerotel Biak in Papua.

Sourcce : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/news/detail/550/aerowisata-hotels-resorts-certified-eco-hotels

Supported by : JavaTourism.com, LintangBuanaTours.com,JavaBikers.com,Liburs.com,TourSumatra.com,FloresTour.com,Java-Adventure.com

“This is an important moment “, explained Nazaruddin, Head of the Culture and Tourism Office of Bulukumba ,”since this is the largest  phinisi ever built here in the history of Bulukumba,  and was ordered from Poland”.  Construction on the schooner’s hull took place at Tanjung Bira under master builder, Haji Muslim Baso, from the village of Ara, of Bonto Bahari.   “The building of the entire phinisi’s hull took 9 months. At its completion, the boat will be towed to Semarang in Central Java, for finishing and interior fitting.” added Nazarudin.

The schooner, estimated to cost around IDR 4 Billion has a frame measuring 50 meters in length and at its widest part measures almost 10 meters. The finishing process in Semarang will probably cost triple its construction. The local government of Bulukumba through the Office of Culture and Tourism intends to preserve Tanjung Bira, Bulukumba, as the traditional site for the construction of the Phinisi Schooners. 

These impressive schooners that can be seen at full sail all around the Indonesian seas have for centuries been made by master craft builders here in the south eastern corner of Sulawesi by the beautiful white beaches of Tanjung Bira. Shipbuilding here is a long tradition that has been handed down through generations.  The sturdiness and sailworthiness of the phinisi have long gained worldwide reputation.

 “Our biggest threat is that these phinisi builders may move to other provinces to obtain easier access to materials. Therefore, this has today become an issue of national importance that needs to be discussed” said Nazarudin as he showed off the beauty of the Pasir Putih Beach of Tanjung  Bira. If the problem persists, then Tanjung Bira will face the threat to be scrapped from the tourism and cultural map of Indonesia altogether”, he said.

The launching ceremony of the Phinisi that was built by 100 of men was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Bulukumba, Samsudin and officials of the Culture and Tourism Office. All workers and builders also joined the traditional ceremony.

From the first shifting of the boat on Tuesday evening November 8^th, it will take approximately 3 weeks before the ship finally reaches the water to be towed to Semarang.  “The ship’s hull is about 3 meters deep, so I chose this place, since its depth is appropriate” said Baso as he commanded the workers in the shifting of the schooner which can only be moved 15 to 20 meters a day.

For the people of Tanjung Bira, building this Phinisi Schooner may have meant only a collective project for the year. However, Tanjung Bira’s fame is actually being carried far beyond that for its achievements in the production of world class schooners, while at the same time preserving its proud identity as a creative and persistent society.

Master builder Haji M.Baso has built over 200 schooners and boats of various types and sizes in his lifetime.” This is , however, the largest tourism ship that I have ever built in Bonto Bahari since 1991” Baso explained as he answered some of the questions from the media who covered the launching ceremony.

The schooner is not the only boat being built here.  There are other types of boats being constructed by Haji Muslim Baso at the moment.

Near the Phinisi schooner, there was also a smaller boat in construction orderd by a Belgian businessman.There were also 12 other boats and tables ordered from Colombia. Clearly, the skills and knowledge of the local genius of Tanjung Bira are well recognized by the international seafaring community.

Source : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/news/detail/540/bulukumba-shipyard-launches-another-impressive-phinisi-schooner

Supported by : JavaTourism.com, LintangBuanaTours.com,JavaBikers.com,Liburs.com,TourSumatra.com,FloresTour.com,Java-Adventure.com

The eve of the first day of Sura, the first month of the Javanese calendar, is a sacred night for members of the nation’s Javanese community.

This was true in Yogyakarta, the center of Javanese culture, where people were seen preparing for New Year rituals on Friday.

Residents of Samas beach in Bantul regency, for instance, were preparing for the Mahesa Sura procession for the Javanese New Year, which falls on Nov. 27 this year.

The procession will include the parading of a buffalo head that will eventually be cast into the Indian Ocean south of Java.

“This is a form of our gratitude for the fortune and blessings that God has given us and to ward off bad luck,” a local elder said.

The practice of casting offerings into the sea (labuhan) is a popular Javanese ritual performed to dispel bad luck. Other beaches popular for labuhan rituals are Parangkusumo and Parangtritis Beaches in Kretek, Bantul.

Meanwhile, Kamijan, a resident of Tegalrejo, Bantul, was seen preparing for an individual cleansing rite, blessing several ancestral heirlooms with flower water and fragrance.

Others conduct personal cleansing rituals by praying or burning incense.

Bambang Legowo, the head of the Bantul Tourism Agency, said tourists would flock to the various traditions ceremonies and cultural performances that would be held to greet the Javanese New Year.

Events on the beaches in the south of Bantul might generate Rp 30 million (US$3,300) in ticket sales alone on the eve of Sura, he said.

“We hope and pray for a high turnout and sunny weather so visitors will not be troubled.”

To secure celebrations along the coast, the Bantul Police have deployed 350 officers to strategic places and congestion-prone areas.

“We will step up safety to prevent accidents due to tourists swimming in the sea,” Taufik M. Faki, a member of the National Search and Rescue Agency’s Parangtritis unit, said.

Residents living on the slopes of Mount Merapi in Kaliurang, Sleman, Yogyakarta, will commemorate Sura Eve by marching in silence with offerings. The same silent march, known as the tapa bisu, will be held around the fortress of the Yogyakarta Palace.

Source : http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/11/26/javanese-gear-new-year-rituals.html

Supported by : JavaTourism.com, LintangBuanaTours.com,JavaBikers.com,Liburs.com,TourSumatra.com,FloresTour.com,Java-Adventure.com