Malaysia Airlines offering huge discounts

The Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair 2009, which will be held from Feb 10 to 19, is offering over one million seats at discounts of up to 70 per cent.

In a statement here yesterday, Malaysia Airlines said tickets could be purchased via its website, through travel agents or its ticketing offices across Malaysia and in Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. MAS said it would set up counters at KL Sentral during the 10 days of the fair. -- Bernama

Chinese Lantern Festival Photo Gallery

The Chinese traditional Lantern Festival will fall on the 15th day of the first month on the Chinese lunar calendar, or Feb. 9 this year.

Twelve photos of the festival from Jakarta, Nanjing, Leping (Jiangxi), and Auckland.

eTravel: Beware unlicensed airport taxis

Travellers in Indonesia are being alerted to the risk of using unlicensed airport taxi drivers following recent reports of passengers being robbed or charged extortionate fares.

The UK Foreign Office (FCO) updated its advice today, saying that it receives regular reports of such incidences and that the taxi drivers' vehicles are usually in poor condition, are unmetered, and do not have a dashboard identity licence.

The FCO advises: "When taking a taxi, use one from a reputable firm, preferably booked by phone or arranged by your hotel, or booked by a registered taxi firm inside the airport. British Embassy, Jakarta, staff are advised to use only taxis from the Bluebird and Silverbird group. These are widely available at hotels and shopping malls in central Jakarta and at Sukarno-International Airport. Care should be take to distinguish Bluebird and Silverbird vehicles from "look-alike competitors."

Jakarta Biennale 2009

The Jakarta Biennale is an art exhibition held every two years as a responsibility sign of the artists to the society and is aim for the enhancement of appreciation toward art.

Jakarta Biennale 09 is the first of its international character that invites outstanding artists from abroad.

Activities have been seen on Galeri Nasional Indonesia and Grand Indonesia Plaza where Fluid Zone Jakarta Biennale 2009 exhibition takes place. Jakarta Biennale 2009 invited 39 artists, both local and international, who will be divided to exhibit in two venues. Indonesian artists are Eko Nugroho, Handiwirman Saputra, Iswanto Hartono, Jompet, Paul Kadarisman, and others

Schedule

AirAsia to launch Jakarta-Singapore and Bali-Singapore service

As early as next month low-cost carrier Indonesia AirAsia will be launching services from Jakarta to Singapore and Bali to Singapore, marking a major regulatory break-through between Indonesia and Singapore.

"We just received the regulatory approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and we are trying to start from next month," Indonesia AirAsia marketing manager Herjanto Widjaja says from Jakarta.

He says the airline plans to launch daily services from Jakarta to Singapore and Bali to Singapore and soon after that launch a Yogyakarta-Singapore service.

This is significant because AirAsia has for years wanted to operate services on high traffic routes between Indonesia and Singapore but the CAAS has blocked it because of an impasse between the Indonesian and Singapore regulator.

Bali tourism expiring, claims economic guru

There is an odd story in the Jakarta Post this week.

The newspaper quotes so-called “experts” who “continue to claim that Bali's tourism industry is on the decline”.

Further, it is claimed that the island may become marginalised when the ASEAN charter takes effect in 2015 and makes travel to other regional tourist attractions more affordable for Indonesians.

The “expert” - Daradjatun Kuntjoro Jakti, former coordinating minister for the economy - told the Jakarta Post that Bali's tourism industry had reached a saturation point that could endanger public livelihood if the administration did not act.

He cited as reasons for the downturn, a deteriorating environment, deceitful taxi drivers and currency exchangers, an increasing prominence of Western-style buildings and diminishing Balinese culture in Bali.

He said Bali's tourism industry would not survive if nothing was done to address the problems given increasing competition from other ASEAN countries.

Bali Trade Fair 2009

Wide Range of Local Products on Offer During Bali's Annual Trade Fair.

Running from January 23 until February 15, 2009, Bali Trade Fare 2009 on Jalan Hayam Wuruk in downtown Denpasar is an opportunity for local companies to promote new products to local consumers and island visitors.

Household appliances, vehicles, and a whole range of items intended to enhance the quality of daily life of Balinese consumers will be on display and offered at special prices for the duration of the exhibition.

Daily musical live entertainment and door prizes that include new Honda motorcycles will are also be presented each day as a further inducement for the public to attend.

The Fair is open each day until February 15, 2009 from afternoon until evening.

© Bali Discovery Tours. Articles may be quoted and reproduced if attributed to http://www.balidiscovery.com. All images and graphics are copyright protected.

Panama Real Estate Investments Rise At The Expense Of Indonesia

So recently I wrote a post on how Costa Rica just might be an alternative to Indonesian real estate investments. I felt that maybe I should do one more. Reason being, I feel that we are seeing similar trends with Panama. And a major reason is that it gets a lot of attention from countries in American continents.

Recession has hit everyone hard. I doubt there is a country around the world that was able to escape these crisis. And so as expected many people have held back their spendings. And a great example of this is seen in Bali. Thousands that poured in every year to this paradise on earth have reduced to a few hundred now.

Most people are looking for cheaper alternatives. For most residents of American continents Panama is that alternative. It provides the beauty, culture and experience that Indonesia does but in its own way. A short Panama tour can make anyone fall in love with the country as it would make anyone fall in love with Indonesia. Tourism for the country has picked up in the last few months when people are looking for cheaper flights to closer destinations.

But the sliver lining here is not that tourism has picked up for Panama, but the fact that Panamas real estate sector is going to pick up as well. Most people look to retire abroad by the beach in a beautiful big house. Just as Indonesia provided that for many, Panama seems to have taken the spot light these days. For most Americans its cheap and closer to home. Property value is reasonable and cost of living is cheaper than most other places.

Post contributed by Sara Rana

Is Costa Rica's Real Estate Investment An Alternative To Indonesia's

Indonesia is one of the world's favorite tourist spots for a bunch of different reasons. Beautiful beaches, friendly people, water sports, outstanding shopping opportunities, amazing weather and affordable vacation rentals all add to the mix. Millions of people pour in every year to take a break from their stressful lives.

However when it comes to investing your life savings into real estate properties to spend your retired life on this tropical paradise on Earth, are there any good alternatives? How about the real estate in Costa Rica. But does Costa Rica Real Estate really match upto Indonesia's?

Well after my research I found out that Costa Rica property is much cheaper than an average property in Indonesia. There are number of reasons for this though. Most cities in Indonesia are far more developed. Faster internet, more tv channels, better cars and above and beyond that more exposure to foreigners which at the end of the day seals the deal for many.

However what does match up between the two is the cost of living, beautiful climates, affordable house keeping, modern banks and beaches. So at the end of the day it really depends on how much you are willing to spend for your comfort.

Post contributed by Sara Rana

Indonesia tourist arrivals miss 2008 target

Overseas tourist arrivals in Indonesia rose 13.2 percent to 6.23 million in 2008, data showed on Monday, although fell short of a government target of 7 million as the global economic crisis curbed foreign trips.

Tourist arrivals in December last year rose 17.7 percent from a year ago to 610,452, up from 518,700 in the same month a year earlier, the statistics bureau said.

Ben Sukma, the chairman of the Indonesian Travel Agents Association, said the financial crisis had cooled tourism last year and said achieving the same target this year of 7 million tourist may depend on how smoothly parliamentary and presidential elections run.

"If the elections run smoothly, then I think 7 million visitors next year can be met," said Sukma, adding that the government should target promotions in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and China.

Culture and tourism minister Jero Wacik has previously said the government expected a similar range of foreign visitor arrivals in the next year, despite the global economic slowdown.

Carla Parengkuan, executive director of the Indonesian Hotels Association, said the sharper rise in December may have been due to holiday-makers switching to Indonesia after security concerns in Thailand and India.