The member DMC’s from all over the world showed Travel Agents and Incentive Houses their passion for their destinations. Visitors found wonderful ideas for incentive travel and events organization worldwide. And for these local travel agents in different far away countries it was a unique opportunity to share ideas and experiences.

What is and offers a DMC?

* a destination management company or a travel agent in a destination

* all the local contacts to organize a creative incentive travel experience

* all the local contacts to organize a congress or an event

* hotel bookings, excursions, transfers, guides, conference venues, restaurant facilities etc.

What is and offers World of DMC’s?

* a professional association of Destination Management Companies

* a joint platform for its members to comunicate towards the incentive houses and travel agents

* a presence at the major trade fairs in the incentive industry world wide

* a number of yearly road shows in specific countries to meet potential clients

* presence on the internet with their website www. dmc. travel

World of DMC is not an independent marketing bureau. They are no more then the members themselves. The board consists of members and they have no staff other then the members. They don’t pay commisions to anyone and work each for the benefit of all. The different members for instance help in a discretional and professional way their clients to get to know other member DMC’s in other countries for ideas about future incentive trips.

What are the criteria for DMC’s to join?

* professionalism proved by years of experience and having renowned clients

* dedication towards marketing yourself in trade fairs and on the internet

* dedication to actively promote the association

* only one member per destination, re-elected every year

* yearly membership fees and stand fees in the trade shows

The association is actually founded with the purpose to improve the communication between Incentive Houses, Travel Agents and Events and Congresses Bureaus on the one side and Destination Management Companies on the other side. By applying to the association travel agents come in contact with a qualitative and professional agent in the required destination and will get ideas about the organization of an incentive trip or a congress or event. There are no fees. It is the easy solution for Incentive Travel and Events Organization worldwide.

At present there are members in the following destinations:

Africa: Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabawe.

Asia: Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam.

Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Russia, Slovakia,Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom.

Middle East: Jordan, United Arab Emirates.

North America: California, Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Jamaica, New York, Panama.

South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru.

If you missed them in Barcelona or want to meet them again they are happy to announce their participation to Imex from the 22nd til the 24th of April 2008 in Francfort. They will have an even bigger stand with participation of delegates of their member DMC’s from over 20 countries. When you visit them you feel the hospitality they will give your clients when they visit them back home.

On the World of DMC website you get to know the member countries of this non-profit professional association. They are all dedicated Destination Management Companies with years of experience. You can also send a mail with the Destination Companies you want to meet at the IMEX fair and they will arrange that they contact you directly for an appointment.

I went to Ecuador because it was cheap. Honestly, aren’t there many interesting places in this world? Why not choose one you can travel to inexpensively? The other places will be there in the future, and you may have an opportunity to go to those places cheaply at some point.

Cheap Countries

Ecuador is my favorite international destination. You can still get a decent meal for two dollars. U. S. dollars, by the way, since that’s conveniently the official currency of Ecuador now. From the beautiful snow-capped Andes Mountains, to the Galapagos Islands, you’ll never run out of places to explore in Ecuador. Travel there is safe and inexpensive.

South America in general is inexpensive, and the most affordable countries are, in my opinion, the most beautiful. These are the countries along the Andes mountains; Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Argentina, thanks to its recent economic troubles, is once again a cheap place for travelers as well.

In Central America, it costs very little to travel and vacation in both Nicaragua and Guatemala. Nicaragua, in particular, has become more stable and safe for travelers in recent years. Costa Rica is a wonderful too, and though it is one of more expensive counties of Central America, that probably still leaves it cheaper than Europe.

In Asia, India is still low-cost, especially if you stay in the numerous hostels and boarding houses. Thailand and Indonesia are also very cheap. With all international destinations, the plane tickets will be your single biggest travel expense. This is especially true with the Asian countries. Being there is cheap, but getting there may not be.

Cheap International Travel Tips

Wherever you go; there are things you can do to keep it cheap. Eat where locals eat, for example, instead of at the tourist restaurants. To keep it really cheap, eat fruit from street markets (wash it well) and packaged snacks from grocery stores.

Visit the free and cheap attractions first. It’s possible you’ll have so much fun that you’ll never get around to doing the expensive things. A higher price means better quality with travel bags, but not with travel experiences.

Busses are cheaper than taxis in any country, but be careful of crowded city busses, where pickpockets hang out. Walking is even cheaper, and it’s a great way to learn about a city. Just ask the locals where the dangerous parts are before you wander too far.

For cheap accommodations find out where local visitors from within the country stay. Negotiating room charges is common in some areas. In Banos, Ecuador, we negotiated our room rate down from $12 to $6 per night, by paying for several nights in advance. Consider hostels, if you don’t mind sharing a room. They’re much more common overseas.

Cheap international travel is often only as cheap as your plane tickets. Use the techniques outlined on our site to save big on tickets, or search the fares to several interesting countries. If one is $500 less than the others, consider going there. $500 can buy a few extra days, or an extra mini-vacation some other time.

Medical Cover – Just Get It

Expensive but Crucial

No matter what cover you decide to purchase, even if it’s the budget version, it should have some sort of medical cover. However, you may want to beef this up, depending on where you’re travelling. Most basic options will not cover sports such as skiing, as the risk of injury and expensive treatment is just too high. The first important thing you need to worry about is what the treatment will cost you. A case often given is the traveller taking a trip through the United States, land of opportunity and appalling health systems. Many Americans live on a day to day basis with no health insurance – a fallback system is just not in place. This means that if a foreign national gets injured, they’re in the same position, and liable for some astronomical costs. You may think you won’t get ill – but broken bones do happen – one of these could cost you thousands and thousands of dollars. There are horror stories of people only stopping in the US for transit purposes for a few days, and having accidents which take years to pay off. Medical evacuations from the states can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Look for policies that deal with this.

A Little Squeamish?

At the other end of the scale, if you are travelling to a developing county, you probably won’t want to subject your delicate first-world body to the particular country’s public medical facilities. Even when planning a short trip to Bali, you might want to make sure your policy covers private health care. With lower standards of medical care (not least due to the fact the rules of global economics mean the highest qualified doctors often leave to pursue careers in wealthier countries), you are at higher risk of infection or other mishaps. On top of this, you probably don’t want to be subjected to the same waiting lists that the locals have to put up with. In countries with high rates of communicable diseases, such as AIDS in Southern Africa, paying the extra for private health care is a wise decision.

Don’t Even Think About It!

Well, you can certainly go wherever you like, but don’t expect to be covered by travel insurance companies if the country or region you are thinking of heading to has a specific travel warning from the Foreign Office. Hotspots such as Iraq or Sudan marked ‘Do Not Travel’ will most probably be snubbed by your insurer. You can generally check for a full list online with various sites offering up to date warnings. There may also be warnings ‘advising against travel’ (the next level down) to a whole host more destinations, including Indonesia (and therefore Bali), so it’s best to check with individual companies if in doubt. Unfortunately for you, the issue may have been politicised, and might even seem bizarre – Australia was recently listed as a risk destination for some time by countries including the UK following the Cronulla riots – but the company probably won’t want to hear your opinion on whether it’s safe. Finally, even if you travel to a country with no prior history of violence, your company may still get out of paying you – many policies will not cover any act of war or terrorism whatsoever.

Bali is a small volcanic island covering around 5000 square kilometers, just south of the equator. Central Bali is dominated by the island’s major volcanic peaks, from which the land steadily descends all the way down to sea level on the northern and eastern coasts; the southern Bali peninsula is largely flat. There are four major volcanoes in Bali, the highest being Mt Agung at 3124m. Agung erupted violently in 1963 and although many people died in the eruption it has since been a blessing to the Balinese in providing some of the richest soil in Indonesia. The next four highest mountains are no longer alive but the smaller Mt Batur (1717m) is one of the most active volcanoes in the region, puffing regular clouds of ash into the air. Bali, being such a small island, has little space to create rivers of any notable size. Rather it is riddled with small creeks that are channeled into the intricate irrigation system that feeds Balinese rice paddies. Nevertheless, some major rivers do flow, namely the Sungai Pakrisan (“Kris River”), the Sungai Petanu (“Cursed River”) and the Ayung, Bali’s longest river.

Bali Introduction : The History

Many years ago Bali was divided into eight Hindu kingdoms. These small kingdoms were powerful but prone to fighting each other, which weakened their resistance to foreign invasion. As early as the sixth century, Javanese kings conquered parts of Bali although Balinese princes often continued to rule as puppets with Javanese sovereignty pulling their strings. Nevertheless power continued to bounce between various kingdoms of Bali and Java. As links with Java strengthened, Javanese script, sculpture and temples began to appear on the island. Late in the tenth century, ties between the islands were solidified with the marital union of a Balinese Prince and a Javanese Princess. The Javanese Majapahit kingdom conquered Bali in the thirteenth century by vanquishing the semi-demonic king of Bali at the time, ‘Dalem Bedulu’, and attempting to eradicate the ‘vile’ Balinese princes and their ‘barbaric’ customs. Ironically, the supreme Majapahit ruler gave a Balinese the position of ‘King of Bali’, a position that gained little respect from the majority of Balinese who continued to refuse to recognize Javanese sovereignty. The Majapahit presence in Bali turned out to be short and turbulent and during the ensuing centuries, much of the unique Balinese Hindu culture and traditions that we see in Bali today were created. This was possibly a result of a community determined to protect their individuality and not be overcome by imported Javanese culture.

Contact with the west began when a Dutch fleet stumbled across Bali in 1597 and felt they had found ‘paradise’. Many of the crew refused to return home but stories of a magical place leaked back to their homeland. With Dutch royalty eager to establish relations, Dutch ships bearing gifts for the Balinese kings were dispatched. However, from a trading perspective, Bali had little to offer so the opportunity to develop international relations was restricted at first. Originally, its primary export was slaves but as the world slave trade was curtailed, the Balinese Kings turned to other commodities such as coconut oil, thereby putting Bali in a position to enter the world trading market.

Dutch interest in the Indonesian islands changed into the seventeenth century and the merchant ships gave way to war ships. The Dutch had overcome many Javanese kingdoms through ancient principles of divide and conquer and the same approach was taken in Bali. As the Balinese continued to resist, the Dutch became more and more aggressive. Stories of their barbaric tactics were not received well in their homeland and protests led them to complete their invasion more tactfully. Surprisingly, once the Dutch secured control, they protected the island from outside influences and encouraged them to maintain much of their culture and traditions. Grateful of this as we are today, their reasons were not purely benevolent: they considered the Balinese controllable with their peaceful religion but were wary should that religion change to a more fundamental variety.

World War 2 brought a new era as Japanese armies took over from the Dutch. The Japanese presence in Bali was short lived and they left without a trace as they lost the war. The Dutch tried to return to the Indonesian islands, but their desperate attempts to regain power in the colony were condemned all over the world. Together with the rest of the Dutch East Indies archipelago, Bali was handed over to a new independent Indonesian government that emerged in 1949. Bali had finally lost its liberty and fell to its destiny of economic and political dependence on neighboring Java.

Bali Introduction : The Population

Bali is bursting, with an estimated population of over three million people. Through the controversial transmigration program, Balinese communities have developed in the outer regions of Indonesia such as Sumatra and Sulawesi, in order to relieve the islands’ already stretched natural resources.

to be continued. . . . .

The Balinese Hindu religion regards a traditional caste system though it has never been as divisive as its Indian ascendent. This is for the most part due to the fact that over 90% of Balinese belong to the lowest ‘Sudra’ caste, and in India would have been considered ‘untouchable’. Given their dominance such mental attitudes in Bali would not be realistic. Notwithstanding these facts, inter-marriage persists to be uncommon and discouraged.

The three upper castes are together recognized as the ‘Triwangsa’ (‘three peoples’) constituting Brahmana, Kesayatria and Wesia. Caste is specified by birth but is rarely reflected in a person’s occupation, although only a Brahmana can be suited to be a Pedanda high priest, and only Brahmana may take the task of recreating masks from the ‘Barong’ dance as they harbour the ability to protect themselves from the evil spirits.

Balinese Names

Upon learning a Balinese friends name, you can establish some elements of his or her background. First Of All, the name will often indicate the cast to which they belong. For illustration, if you meet someone named Ida Bagus, you recognize they belong to the highest Brahmana caste or, if they are addressed as Gusti, they will almost surely belong to the Wesia caste. The Balinese also distinguish their children in order of birth. Together with a personal name, unique in the family, a Balinese child will be awarded a more common name. The firstborn is often Wayan or Putu while the second born generally carries the name of Made or Kadek. The third child usually is Nyoman or Komang and the fourth is always Ketut; with the birth of a fifth child, the naming cycle starts again.

Children

The Balinese dote on their children, a devotion that no doubt leads to the calm and relaxed demeanour of the island’s population. At birth the baby’s umbilical cord is buried with oblations to protect them throughout their lives. Until the child reaches three months of age, they are permanently carried as it is regarded as unclean and disrespectful if they should touch the ground before that age. Balinese children are discouraged from crawling, believed to be only the actions of an animal, and learn to walk at a very young age. Upon reaching 105 days, the baby will be ornamented with bracelets and anklets. A further 105 days later, a ceremony is held to signify their entry into adulthood. The passage through puberty is celebrated with a tooth filing ceremony, aimed to flatten any pointed teeth that may represent evil and designed to restrict sinful emotions and actions such as greed, anger, jealousy, stupidity, and adultery.

Everyday, there are many temple ceremonies all over Bali. Some are held at a single village temple while others are island-wide. One common ceremony is the ‘odelan’, held every 210 days to celebrate a temple’s anniversary. Another is held every time there is a full moon. The day of Saraswati heralds a ceremony celebrating knowledge, learning and the arts. Ceremonies on this day are held in relation to schools and primarily involve students. Some important days occur very rarely such as the ‘Eka Dasa Rudra’, held only once every 100 years at Besakih Temple. .

Religion

Bali is a predominantly Hindu Island, surviving in an Islamic nation. Minority populations of Muslims, Christians and Buddhists are also found on the island.

Little is known of the introduction of Hinduism in Bali though it doubtlessly involved the Indian traders who came to these parts for the spice trade over two thousand years ago. Given its physical isolation from the ancestral religion, Balinese Hinduism has since developed into a unique version of the ancient faith. Although the fundamentals remain the same, many of the gods revered on Bali are unknown in India and vice versa. Vast Hindu kingdoms were also found in neighbouring islands but they disappeared soon after the Arabs became interested in the archipelago, bringing with them Islam to Indonesia’s shores. Bali held little interest for the Arab traders so it was largely left alone. Throughout Indonesia, traditional beliefs in mysticism and the spiritual world remain strong, despite the common practice of imported faiths that forbid such strong beliefs.

While the impact this has had on the Islamic faith is often controversial, for the Balinese, the two have merely blend to create the distinctive religion they follow today.

to be continued. . . . .

You will not find many tourists on the beaches of South Lombok, and it’s one of the most beautiful places for sunsets and relaxing walks on the beach, without being hassled by flying salesmen with watches and souvenirs.

The local people are very friendly and curios, and you can experience rural Lombok at its finest.

At low tide you can observe the women and the children while they are collecting clams and other treasures, or watch the children play on the beach and laugh together with them.

A large percentage of tourists come here for the diving. In the south of Lombok you’ll find new exclusive dive sites with untouched, fantastic Corals, as well as an amazing variety of rare marine life, including Ghost Pipe Fish, Leaf Fish, Mantas, Whitetip reef sharks, and many more, it’s absolutely breathtaking!

These new dive sites offer even the well-travelled and experienced diver a surprising and breathtaking experience. Due to the great variety of dive sites, there is exiting diving for all levels of experience.

A unique underwater experience and a fascinating multitude of species await you. Schools of barracudas, tunas, mackerels, sharks, manta rays, eagle rays…. And all coral in 100% pristine condition. A highlight for photographers!

http://www. divezone-lombok. com

Travel in Asia is inexpensive and opens the door to different cultural experiences. Planning can be for a short holiday, an extended stay, or choices of laying the groundwork for the ultimate stay, retirement. Nowadays, with so many opportunities to make money using the Internet it is not out of the question to “retire” early.

Medical Tourism in Asia growing in popularity. It is high quality and affordable. Just one of International standard hospitals in Bangkok serves 400,000 international patients annually, In the USA cataract surgery for one eye runs around $8,000. At a prestigious International hospital in Thailand cataract surgery can be performed on both eyes for around $2,500. It is possible to have quality medical care, and an Asian holiday, for a fraction of the cost of the same procedure in the USA.

Let us take a tantalizing glimpse at just some of the countries.

Thailand – Land of Smiles. Often referred to as the most exotic country in Southeast Asia. A visit to the Grand Palace in Bangkok for sure. Trips to a floating market or to the Bridge on the River Kwai. From pristine beaches in the Southern Islands to the Northern mountains with its waterfalls, elephants bathing in mountain streams, and Hill Tribe villages.

India – Delhi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. India Gate, an imposing structure, has emerged as one of the most popular tourist spots in Delhi. The Red Fort Delhi, a masterpiece of architecture, is a popular spot. A trip to India would not be complete without a visit to Agra, famous as the site of one of the world’s most romantic, graceful and photographed buildings, the Taj Mahal.

Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos – Three small countries neighboring Thailand. Each opens a different world of exploration. Cambodia – the highlight is visiting Angkor Wat, an architectural masterpiece constructed in the jungle in the early 12th century. Vietnam – is a varied country, offering beaches, mountains and hundreds of years of history from the ancient Cham Towers to remnants from the Vietnam War. Laos – savor the crafts, culture and hospitality of Laos with a river trip, visits to ancient temples, gorgeous palaces, and traditional villages.

Nepal – Adventure, travel, trekking, birding, wildlife, and cultural & overland Safaris. Take an air flight along the Himalayas and view magnificent Mount Everest. Nearby, discover the serene beauty of Tibet, the country which inspired the Dalai Lama. .

Indonesia – travel jakarta bandung, the capital city of the world’s fourth most-populous nation. Bali is Indonesia’s main holiday destination. Flores is a pretty lush green island with forests, palm and banana trees, rice fields and many volcanoes. Highlights are the three small offshore islands of “Gillis” that invite snorkeling, diving and relaxing. For hikers, a climb to the top of the volcano Rijani.

Philippines – An island nation comprising over 7,000 islands in the western Pacific Ocean.

Manila, the bustling capital has powerful reminders of the country’s past, along with attractive parks, fine museums, and exhilarating nightlife. The Ifugao Rice Terraces

are a testimony to the early technological advancement of the Ifugao people. Take a jeepney ride to the market. Be brave, try balut, a Philippine delicacy. Go diving in the Visayas.

Singapore – Shopping on famous Orchard Road, the dream of every woman. The Night Safari at Singapore Zoo is fabulous. Chinatown, a little glitzy, but you can buy all the souvenirs you want there. Interestingly, one of Singapore’s most beautiful Hindu temples is smack dab in the middle of Chinatown. Decide if a Singapore Sling is worth the hype in the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. There’s more to Singapore than urban glitz, like rambling in the rain forest of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Japan – Tokyo is the capital city and home of the Imperial Residence and Emperor’s Palace. Select a popular destination or region in Japan and explore its attractions. Ride the Bullet Train to the magnificent city of Kyoto. Visit Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park. Castles, temples, gardens, the list of top destinations in Japan is too long for this article. .

Taiwan – Taipei, the country’s booming, vibrant capital remains steeped in Chinese, Japanese and native Taiwanese cultures. Some of its most impressive sights include the Grand Hotel, topped by the largest Classical Chinese roof in the world, the Shihlin Night Market, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial with the National Theater and Concert Hall located directly across from each other on the grounds. A popular day trip is Tailuge (Taroko Gorge), considered one of the natural wonders of the world.

Hong Kong – the Pearl of East and jewel of The Orient. Nathan Road is lined with shops, restaurants, nightspots and cheap places to stay. If you’re in Hong Kong with the little ones, they’ll probably appreciate Ocean Park (aquarium), Water World (swimming pools and water slides), and of course Disneyland. If you’re in Hong Kong for more than a few days, then there’s plenty of outlying islands to discover.

It is often said that for the traveler that has seen it all and done it all, there is still Katmandu, Nepal. And, that too is in Asia!

If you do not visit Asia, you will be missing not only a paradise of affordable travel, but the chance to see an alternative living location. For retirees, it is luxury living for pennies, not just getting by on their pension. Asia, a paradise experience is waiting for you.

visit site www. vacationtoindonesia. com
Indonesia Tourism Prospect

Indonesian Senior Statesman Makes a Critical Appraisal the Development of National Tourism.
(1/25/2010) Anak Agung Gde Agung is one of Indonesia’s most distinguished and well-informed senior statesmen. He is a graduate of Harvard and Leiden universities. He as attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in the United States and served as social services minister during the administration of President Abdurrahman Wahid.
The following article is reprinted from The travel jakarta bandung Post.
Indonesian Tourism – a National Tragedy Government officials at all levels claim that Indonesia’s tourism is doing well, with each year seeing robust advancements. On the contrary, however, all the data indicate how dismally Indonesia’s tourism has done this past decade.
In the last 12 years to 2007, tourist numbers fluctuated between 4 million and 5 million visitors. The average length of stay has declined, from 10 days in 1997 to barely 8. 5 days in 2008. Worst yet is how Indonesia compares with neighboring Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, which last year attracted 10 million, 15 million and 22 million visitors respectively.
How can such a huge discrepancy occur? How is it that Indonesia, brimming with such wealth in culture and natural beauty, attracts only a quarter of the tourists that basically barren Malaysia does?
This tragedy seems to have its source in the early 1980s, when Indonesia, strapped for funds, pointed to already world-famous Bali as its tourist cash cow. Since then, little has changed. As a result, Indonesia’s tourist attraction has been practically limited to Bali, with devastating consequences. Tourists overflow in quantum leaps to Bali, creating an explosion of infrastructure requirements that visibly erode the natural environment.
The over-concentration of tourists in Bali has not only brought an unmanageable overflow of visitors to the island – often the wrong types who cannot appreciate the unique local culture and natural environment – but has also led to an utter neglect of the other many equally attractive tourist spots throughout the archipelago.
Fabulous sites such as Borobudur, Yogyakarta, Toraja, Bunaken and Ujung Kulon, for instance, have been practically left unheeded. Such complacency has a high price, as can been seen from the destructive erosion that the overcrowding of tourists has brought to Bali’s culture and environment, and how it has stagnated Indonesia’s other richly diverse tourist destinations.
How bad have these other destinations stagnated? Here are a few horrifying statistics:
Borobudur, that World Cultural Heritage icon, was only able to muster about 85,000 foreign tourists last year, compared to more than 1 million by the more recently discovered Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Toraja these last few years has only attracted an average of about 5,000 overseas tourists a year.
Bunaken averaged only about 10,000 foreign visitors a year for as long as one can remember, versus more than 4 million for the similar Pattaya in Thailand.
Ujung Kulon, with its rare one-horned rhino, can only claim an average of 6,000 combined domestic and foreign tourists a year.
A fast recovery is imperative here and the condition for this is a complete change in mind-set. The first order of the day is for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to declare tourism a national priority and for central and regional authorities as well as the government and the private sector to work hand in hand in this effort. This needs to be followed by a preliminary phase of quick-win activities rejuvenating tourist destinations that have so far languished but need only small improvements to boost them back.
Borobudur, for instance, can be brought back to full splendor by relocating the street vendors who have been encroaching on the temple grounds and harassed visitors from fully enjoying this beautiful temple/monastery. Toraja can also attract far more tourists by repairing its forsaken airfield so that visitors can arrive there within 45 minutes from Makassar and avoid the perilous 10-hour journey through steep mountains.
As for Ujung Kulon, tourist numbers can easily rise to more than a million there within a very short time if regular and safe sea transportation is made available from travel jakarta bandung. There are other fabulous places besides those mentioned above currently suffering from lack of attention, such as Mount Bromo, Yogyakarta and Komodo Island, which only need small touches to turn them quickly into major tourist destinations while easing the pressure on overcrowded Bali.
The quick-win phase should be followed by a longer-term buildup of other tourist sites nationwide, which will require more infrastructure investment to put them on the travel map. These sites are currently still relatively unfamiliar places, but have the potential to offer inherently unique attractions and help sustain the long-term development of Indonesia’s tourist industry.
Such places include Trowulan and Kota Gede for historical interests, Banda Naira and Raja Ampat for spectacular surfing, and the Baliem Valley and Waikabubak for unparalleled ethnic experiences. There are many other such tourist sites and they can be offered in clusters of similar attractions to make the trip for tourists richer and more diverse.
Both during the quick-win and long-term phases, the tourism recovery effort has to be supported by appropriately directed promotional campaigns with a common national branding. Malaysia has its “Truly Asia”, India its “Incredible” claim while Singapore and Thailand have respectively dubbed themselves “Uniquely Singapore” and “Amazing Thailand”. Branding is important to position the country concerned at the top of mind of would-be tourists while also filtering the right tourists who can appreciate what that country offers.
Increased arrivals of tourists, who show their appreciation of the local specialties, will make the local people proud of their heritage and motivate them to strengthen it further, which in turn will bring even more like-minded tourists. This will result in an upward spiral of tourists and local people hand in hand strengthening the traditional inheritance of the land.
A successful tourism program can have many priceless benefits for Indonesia, including making it the most diverse tourist destination in the world, providing it with a sustainable and environmentally clean source of revenue larger than any of its current ones, and bringing overall prosperity to the people throughout the archipelago (and not just Bali) through grassroots empowerment and self-sustenance.
Indonesia Tour Vacation, Adventure Tours Vacations, Travel Agent Indonesia

In recent years Indonesia has been struggling to keep the nation safe and mentally healthy by fighting against material which enters the country and deprives youth of it’s innocence and ultimately ending up in social corruption.

In March 2008, this country has given a step forward towards achieving its goal of keeping a mentally healthy society by passing a bill which criminalizes those who access internet sites which contain adult related material or digital content which is violent in nature. Many Indonesia’s citizens support such measures, in fact two years ago Muslim groups forced the Playboy magazine to move out and re-establish its office in Bali.

“I think we all agree there’s no way we can save this nation by spreading adult material, violence and ethnic hostility”, said the Information Minister, Mohammad Nuh. These words clearly state that such bill in the best interest of the nation. In order to enforce such bill the country is working on special software which would sanction websites which have banned content, while this will not take down those sites world wide, the software will make them unavailable to anyone within Indonesia.

The software approach was taken due to the fact that accessing strong adult related content is very easy, even by children that according to one of the people in charge of drafting the bill, it is intended to protect them from such material. The bill passed with flying colors after getting majority support from all 10 factions in the chamber.

Such ban will definitively have a positive impact in the country as people will dedicate themselves to socially productive activities improving Indonesia’s quality of life. Tourists who travel to the country will also enjoy the beauty of the country by that things that it has to offer, from a cultural perspective to a perspective based on the demographics and local believes which is nicely complimented by the attractive natural resources this country counts with.

Travel managers say that the number of tourists who choose adventurous trips is getting bigger and bigger. Indonesia is probably one of the best places to spend your time this way. The country includes: Greater Sunda Islands (Kalimantan, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Java and Madura), Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku islands and the western part of the New Guinea island, formerly known as Irian Jaya. This is the real expanse for extreme travelers.

The most typical pastime is a trip to Java and Bali islands. This is in fact not an extreme tour, and it suits simple tourists who love active rest. Having arrived at travel jakarta bandung, travelers change their means of transport to Jeeps and ride along the Java island, admiring volcanoes, national parks, active geysers and wild animals. I trip like this usually includes a tour around huge internationally renowned temples, like Buddhist Borobudur and Hindu Prambanan. In Borobudur you can observe 1500 VIII-X century bas-reliefs and sculptures whereas Prambanan offers stunningly graceful and realistic sculptures that portray gods. After a week of walks along rural roads tourists find themselves on Bali. At day, the best pastime is sunbathing and swimming whereas at night you can spent your time clubbing and partying. Such 15-day tour costs no less than $1500.

Those who value real adventures are offered other kinds of trips. For instance, you can pay $2,5-5 thousand and spent your time on Irian Jaya island living among cannibals (better not to spend too much time here) – an ancient nationality which managed to preserve its world-known traditions. Tourists live in real Papuan villages, raft along tropical rivers, participate in magical rituals and wild hunting using primitive tools. You will also get your doze of adrenalin when participating in tours called “Visiting head hunters”. This is a trip to Kalimantan island, during which you will travel on Jeeps, boats and by foot along the primeval jungles surrounded with rhinoceroses, giant butterflies, orang-utans and bears. Travelers spend two weeks on getting acquainted with customs and tempers of local wild tribes, familiarizing themselves with a fabulous sultan’s palace in Tenggarong, dancing at Tanamur – the country’s most famous disco and doing shopping at local floating market.

Another kind of extreme tour is a trip to Sumatra island, where you can enjoy Krakatoa volcano, which erupted in 1883 – this was one of the largest cataclysms in history of human being. Travelers will also float along the Palembong canals – the Venice of the South-Eastern Asia, visit Bukittinggi, the capital of Minangkabau ethnic group. Some scientists say that it is in this city that descendants of Macedonian warriors and Amazons live. The journey is accomplished with a tour around the jungles.

Popularly known as Orchid Island, Sulawesi is a land of high mountains, misty valleys and lakes, geysers and hot springs like Karumengan, Kinilow, Lahendong, Leilem and Makule. In the south is Bantimurung Nature Reserve which has thousands of exotic butterflies. The island has geysers and hot springs, the most celebrated of which are at Karumengan, Kinilow, Lahendong, Leilem and Makule. Torajaland is known as the ‘Land of the Heavenly Kings’ and its people are noted for their richly ornamented houses and custom of burying the dead in vertical cliffside tombs. Ujung Pandang, formerly Makassar, is celebrated for the Pinsa Harbour where wooden schooners of the famous Buganese seafarers are moored. Fort Rotterdam, built by Sultan Ala in 1660 to protect the town from pirates, is now being restored. Racing is a popular island activity; there is horseracing and bullock-racing and at Ranomuut there are races with traditional horse-drawn carts. Bali-

With its spectacular white beaches, verdant jungle and mountain, Bali is a tropical paradise.

The landscape of Bali ‘is made up of volcanic mountains, lakes and rivers, terraced ricefields, giant banyans and palm groves and, on the coast, bays ringed with white sandy beaches. Bali is famous for its crafts and adventurous activities, which are organized on the southern beaches. The island lies a short distance from the eastern coast of Java, across the Strait of Bali. The tourist areas are in the south, around Sanur Beach and at Kuta, which lies on the other side of a narrow isthmus. The island also has thousands of temples – the exact number has never been counted – ranging from the great Holy Temple at Besakih to small village places of worship. Lombok-

It is a land of temples local handicrafts like rattan baskets and woven fabrics. Lombok is a popular tourist destination where you can visit at the Senggigi Beach, Gili Islands, Gunung Rinjani, and Desert Point well known for surfing. The island possesses one of the highest volcanic mountains in the Indonesian archipelago, Mount Rindjani,. The two main towns are Mataram, the capital, and the busy port of Ampenan; both are interesting to explore. The south coast is rocky. The west, with shimmering rice terraces, banana and coconut groves and fertile plains, looks like an extension of Bali. The east is dry, barren and desert-like in appearance. The north, the region dominated by Mount Rindjani, offers thick forests and dramatic vistas. There are also some glorious beaches, some of white sand, others, such as those near Ampenan, of black sand. At Narmada there is a huge complex of palace dwellings, complete with a well containing ‘rejuvenating waters’, built for a former Balinese king. At Pamenang, visitors can hire a boat and go diving, entering a clear-water world of brilliantly colored coral and inquisitive tropical fish. Yogakartas-

Capital of Java Yogakarta is the centre of educational, cultural and economic activity. You must see the premier university of Indonesia, the Gajah Mada University and various arts centers, markets, galleries, craft shops and bazaars. Moluccan Archipelago-

Also known as the Maluku Archipelago, it is made up of 1000 islands, many uninhabited and the rest so isolated from each other and from the outside world that each has its own culture and very often its own language. Halmahera is the largest island in the Moluccan group and one of the most diverse. Banda, in the middle of the Banda Sea, is often referred to as the original ‘Spice Island’ and is famous as a nutmeg-growing center. At present, the islands are popular for diving and snorkeling. Nusa Tengara Archipelago-

Nusa Penida was at one time a penal colony but now attracts visitors to its dramatic seascapes and beaches. Komodo is home to the world’s largest and rarest species of monitor lizard, while Sumba is noted for its beautiful Ikat cloth. Mount Keli Mutu is one of Indonesia’s most spectacular natural sights, famous for its three crater lakes, whose striking colors change with the light of the day. little since the Bronze Age, yet the islands’ inhabitants are renowned as musicians and palm weavers. The Terawangan Islands is a small group with beautiful beaches and coral gardens. Lucipara has excellent waters for snorkeling. Bone Rate, Kangean, Tenggaya and Tukang Besi is a group of isolated islands in the Flores and Banda seas, epitomizing a tropical paradise.

How to reach:

The Adisucipto International Airport is a small and busy airport at Yogyakarta located just about 8 km towards east of the city. This airport is well connected with other major cities like travel jakarta bandung, Denpasar, Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. For international destinations, the airport has to and fro flights connections from Malaysia.

The city is also connected well through road ways. The main bus station of Yogyakarta is at Giwangan, which is over 4 km towards the southeast of the center of the city. Here, you can find regular bus service to travel jakarta bandung, Bandung, and Surabaya.

The train facility from Yogyakarta’s Tugu station is also good enough and it offers regular service. Trains to travel jakarta bandung take between 7 to 12 hours from the main Yogyakarta station. Most of the train services here are fast and comfortable. Trains are available at daytime as well as for overnight journeys.

Being a small city, Yogyakarta makes it easy and cost effective for travelers to get around in the city. One can hire taxis, which run on meter, to move around as these are safe and secure mode of transport. Besides, you can ride the Trishaws, Horse Carts, Buses and so on.

Attractions of the city

There are various good attractions at Yogyakarta. As it is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia, this city possesses many heritage buildings and monuments. Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono’s palace, better known as Kraton Ngayogyakarta is one of the must-see attractions here. Other heritage buildings including BNI ‘46 building, Kantor Pos Besar (Central Post Office) building, and Bank Indonesia building are also worth taking a look. Other notable landmarks in Yogyakarta include Tugu Monument, Benteng Vredeburg, Kotagede, Imogiri, Kotabaru and so on.

The Kraton or the Sri Sultan’s Palace holds some important attractions including Kraton Yogyakarta, Sultan’s Carriage Museum, Taman Sari, Siti Hinggil Selatan, Alun-alun, Masjid Gede Kauman etc.

Some of the popular museums that can be visited in Yogyakarta are namely Museum Dirgantara, Museum Sonobudoyo, and Museum Kekayon. Some of the ancient temples in the city are Borobudur, Prambanan, Candi Sambisari, Candi Kalasan, Candi Sari, and so on. Tourists can also visit various art galleries that has beautiful collection of different arts and crafts.

There are many good hotels in Yogyakartaoffering different facilities to suit the requirement and comfort of tourists. Some of the good hotels like Melia Puosani, Grand Mercure Yogyakarta, Rumah Sleman Private Boutique Hotel and Dusun Jogja Village Inn are only a few amongst others in the city.

Semarang is well-connected with other destinations via Ahmad Yani International Airport located close to the city centre. International tourists can arrive at this city by catching a flight available on daily basis from any major city in Indonesia. Many airlines offer daily flights to travel jakarta bandung from this city on regular basis. Besides domestic flights, Garuda Indonesia airline also offers flights to Singapore four times a week. The city is also well connected to travel jakarta bandung, Bandung and Surabaya by train and offer good links via roads. It takes about 10 to 12 hours by car from travel jakarta bandung. Attractions in Semarang

There are many interesting places in and around Semarang that must be visited. Jepara is a beautiful small village towards the northeast of Semarang. This village is popular for its stunningly beautiful beaches and a Portuguese Fort. Kudus and Demak are two other attractions that can be seen on the way to Jepara. Semarang is a metropolis and feature influences of colonial Dutch era in its buildings and structures. Watching the traditional Wajang puppet performance is another interesting activity to enjoy in the city. Hotels in Semarang

There are a number of different accommodation options available in the city. There are different hotels, lodges, resorts and apartments offering good facilities and a choice to choose the best hotel. Travelers seeking budget accommodation can stay at cheap hotels with good amenities. Families and couples can choose the luxury hotels and resorts and different budget accommodations. You can book a hotels in Semarang with the help of the online Internet reservation facility. You can directly visit the official website of the hotel or use any other reliable website for booking.

There are many sightseeing options in and around Semarang. Jepara is one such small village situated towards the northeast of the city. This place with its beautiful beaches and a Portuguese Fort draws a lot of crowd. Kudus and Demak are two other attractions that can be seen on the way to Jepara.

There has been a constant rise in various accommodation options available in the city. This rise in the number of hotels in Semarang is mostly because of its

emerging tourists in the city. Different hotels, lodges and resorts offer variety of options for travelers to choose the best hotel for their stay. Travelers seeking budget accommodation can stay at cheap hotels with good amenities. Families and couples can choose the luxury hotels and resorts and different budget accommodations. You can book a hotel in Semarang with the help of the online Internet reservation facility. You can directly visit the official website of the hotel or use any other reliable website for booking.