Indonesia is home to three of the world's most endangered species

It's easy to become immune to the endless stream of reports about the plight of some of the planet's most endangered species. But I make no apology for again highlighting how crucial it is for Indonesia to protect its wildlife.

The Worldwide Fund for Nature's (WWF) so-called 9 to Watch in 2009 includes three species that are indigenous to this country. According to the international environmental group, the Javan rhinoceros, the Sumatran tiger and the Borneo pygmy elephant are among the animals closest to extinction.

WWF scientists say these, and many other species, are at greater risk than ever before because of poaching, habitat loss and climate change-related threats.

At the top of the list is the Javan rhinoceros, of which there are apparently less than 60 still surviving in the wild. This is probably the rarest large mammal species in the world and is critically endangered. Poaching and pressure from a growing human population pose the greatest risk to the two protected areas where they live.

The world's smallest and most endangered cetacean, the vaquita, is the second most threatened species. Found in Mexico, this tiny porpoise is often killed in gillnets and could soon be extinct.

It is in Nigeria and Cameroon where the world's third most threatened animal, the Cross River gorilla, is hanging onto life by a thread. Sadly there are less than 300 of these animals left in the few remaining forest patches that are their home.

But we return to Indonesia to find the creature that's fourth most likely to disappear forever: The much-reported Sumatran tiger, of which it is estimated that less than 500 are in existence today.

Few species have edged so close to extinction as the black-footed ferret and recovered, but through captive breeding and reintroduction, there are signs the species is slowly recovering. Borneo's pygmy elephant is the seventh most likely to die out with less than 1,000 left.

These smallest of all elephants must compete with logging and agriculture for space in the lowland forests of Borneo. Projects are underway to try to ensure their protection, which includes tracking the elephants through the use of satellite collars to learn more about these little-understood creatures.

Full article by Jonathan Wootliff

Chinese tourist arrivals in Bali up 11.35 pct

A total of 34,539 Chinese tourists visited Bali in the first two months of 2009, accounting for 11.35 percent of the total foreign tourist arrivals to the resort island over the period.

"The number of Chinese tourists increased 5,740 or 19.93 percent compared to the same period last year when 28,799 Chinese tourists visited Bali," Head of the Bali Provincial Office of the Central Board of Statistics (BPS) Ida Komang Wisnu said on Sunday.

He said China ranked third in terms of foreign tourists visiting Bali after Japan and Australia.

In total, 131,319 Chinese tourists visited Bali last year, up 55.82 percent from a year earlier.

More than 1,992,290 foreign tourists visited Bali last year, an increase of 19.40 percent from the year before.

Indonesia’s First Mgallery Hotel for Yogyakarta

Accor has added its new high end MGallery label to Indonesia, after the repositioning of the Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta (formerly Grand Mercure Yogyakarta). The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta becomes the second MGallery in Asia following the opening earlier this month of the Vie Hotel Bangkok.

MGallery is a small collection of highly distinctive, upscale hotels that have an exceptional personality through one or more of four principal elements: Vision, Design, History or Location. Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta has been selected to join MGallery thanks to its remarkable History and refinement. Today there are 19 MGallery hotels on 5 continents.

Gerard Guillouet, Vice President Accor Malaysia – Indonesia – Singapore commented, “I am very pleased to welcome the MGallery collection to the country, with the transformation of the Grand Mercure Yogyakarta to The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta. This historic hotel provided a wonderful blank canvas from which the hotel team has built a service experience through daily rituals and bringing the central Javanese culture to life within the hotel, all within the authentic setting of this hotel that is an instrumental part of the Yogyakarta landscape”.

Elegantly set in the heart of Yogyakarta, close to Malioboro street and the palace of Yogyakarta Sultanate, the majestic building of The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta dates back to the early 1900s. The setting of the hotel captures the colonial essence enriched with the elegance of Javanese and Chinese decorative features. The ambience is representing a feeling of classical bygone era wrapped in contemporary comfort, an ideal setting for discerning travelers.

The hotel boasts 144 exquisite rooms, including 10 suites and 1 disabled room, each have private balconies overlooking the urban streetscape, maintained hotel grounds or the hotel swimming pool.
An elegant design reflecting the ambience of the area and the spirit of the century-old building echoes throughout the rooms. Modern comforts, including satellite TV, WiFi connection and IDD telephone facilities are integrated into all rooms. The luxurious suites provide ultimate relaxation opportunities with grand bathrooms and spacious bedrooms.

Promotion offer
The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta has launched the “Borobudur City Experience” package for a limited period, March 23 – June 30, 2009. Priced at USD 180 (inclusive of service tax), this offer includes airport transfers, breakfast, half day visit to the legendary Borobudur temple, car rental and set dinner for 2 persons at Paprika restaurant.

For reservations visit www.mgallery.com

Maluku reefs have huge eco-tourism potential: Official

The Banda Islands in Maluku are home to more than 60 percent (or 432) of the world's 700 coral species, which is why most of the province's waters are included in the Coral Triangle, an official says.

Maluku is unique in that unlike any other Indonesian province, more than 90 percent of its waters are included in the coral triangle, known for its high biodiversity, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry research official Gellwynn Jusuf said.

"This area really has huge potential," Gellwynn told The Jakarta Post in Maluku on Monday.

The area's marine biodiversity had led the Indonesian government to come up with the Coral Triangle Initiative - proposed for the first time during the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) summit in 2007.

The initiative, Gellwynn said, was aimed at protecting coral reefs from damage caused by global warming.

If managed optimally and effectively, Maluku's marine areas could yield high economic returns, he said. With vast areas of coral reefs, Maluku is rich in fish and other sea biota including decorative fish species.

Fish species found in Maluku waters include the Black spotted Puffer, Trumpet fish, Anemones, Juvenile Damselfish, Porcupine fish, Ornate Ghost Pipefish, Scorpion Fish, Lizard fish, Moray Eels, Seahorses and Banded Sea Snakes.

Hard Rock to roll out more Asian hotels

The head of Hard Rock International said Tuesday the leisure firm was looking to expand its rock-and-roll themed hotel franchise across Asia despite the financial crisis.

Hamish Dodds, president and chief executive officer of the US-based group, said it was working on deals to open Hard Rock Hotels in Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Bangkok, Jakarta and Hong Kong over the next few years.

The group currently manages two hotels in Asia -- one in Pattaya, Thailand, and the other in Bali, Indonesia -- and it is launching three new hotels in Macau, Malaysia and Singapore later this year.

Hard Rock International owns 124 Hard Rock Cafes and nine Hard Rock Hotels around the world.

Bali Beach Hotel & Village launched in Crete

The Hotel Bali Beach & Village is situated at the north coast of Crete, at one of the most beautiful holiday areas of the island, at the fishing village of Bali, 25 km East of Rethymnon and 45 km West of Heraklion.

The Hotel Bali Beach & Village is built on the main hill of the village offering a fantastic view to the amazing bay of Bali, which is surrounded with the wild beauty of Cretan mountains. It is an ideal hotel for quiet, restful holidays in original greek/cretan surroundings.

The hotel Bali Beach Hotel & Village in Bali - Rethymnon, Crete welcome you in their new website http://www.balibeach.gr/.

Headdress heritage takes center stage

The catwalks have recently seen a revival of traditional costumes in rich colors and patterns, sometimes fused with the latest cuts and details. But as fabulous as they look, one element has been missing: Headdresses.

Often omitted from fashion parades and discussions on cultural heritage, traditional headdresses are like neglected treasures. Even though they can tell stories of centuries-old motifs and philosophies, they have not managed to attract many people’s interest in learning more about them. “A headdress might be one thing that many people never pay attention to, but it’s an important element as a part of the whole of traditional couture,” said Adiati Arifin Siregar, chairwoman of the Indonesian Traditional Textile Society (Himpunan Wastraprema).

For this reason, Wastraprema will gather together headdresses from across the archipelago as part its prestigious textile exhibition Adi Wastra Nusantara – or the Showcase of Traditional Textiles of the Archipelago – which will be held at the Jakarta Convention Center from April 15 to 19.

Adi Wastra Nusantara
April 15–19, 2009
Halls A and B
Jakarta Convention Center
Jl. Gatot Subroto, Senayan Central Jakarta
Information:
Himpunan Wastraprema
021-7190130, 7190140

Full article by Dian Kuswandini