JAKARTA - According to Jero Wacik, Indonesia’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, during the ITB, the increased funds for Indonesia’s tourism will officially be announced by early April at the same time than the new representative offices around the world.

The 12 planned offices are part of a new strategy to revive Indonesia’s tourism fortunes and increase the number of visitors to six million this year and seven million in 2008. “ In Europe we still did not decide where we will have our first locations between Germany, the UK or Brussels”, explains Wacik.

Last year, European tourists to Indonesia reached 783,600 arrivals and officials from tourism expect this year to welcome up to 800,000 visitors.

German Tour Operators already announced during the ITB strong booking for the coming months to Bali.

source : http://www.travelweeklyweb.com/

A promotional tourism tagline “Bali Is My Life” is launched by Indonesian minister of culture and tourism, Jero Wacik in Patra Bali Hotel yesterday. This tagline is designed to be a part of Bali tourism identity abroad especially Australia, Japan, France, Netherlands, England and other tourism market.

“Bali Is My Life” recorded everyday life of eight Balinese people with different professions represent the whole Balinese community. They are farmer, mask sculptor, dancer, cultural writer, student, surfing mentor, spa therapist and chef.

Chairman of Bali Tourism Board, Bagus Sudibya said that this tagline is not a fraud, but individuals that live their everyday life as Balinese.

“Bali Is My Life” is planned to be official promotional motto for Bali in addition to the previous mottos such as “The Last Paradise”, The Thousand Temple, etc.

If you are driving from Pura Ulun Danu Batur (Bali’s most important lakeside temple that pays homage to water and irrigation) in a southern direction you will come to a cross-road just a couple meters into the journey. The road on the right hand side leads to the villages of Payangan and Ubud, while the left shows the way to yet another Hindu temple complex called Pura Bukit Mentik. The road here winds steeply as you approach the foot of Mount Batur.

Keen adventurers also use this route as a starting point for early morning climbs of Mount Batur’s rugged terrain. The road actually circles the lower base of the mountain and to the west there are stunning views from the lakeside temple of Pura Jati as well as Toya Bungkah, with hot water springs, on east side. Further along the road you will also come across Toya Mampeh.

According to local folklore, Mount Batur used to be called Gunung Lebah. During the rule of the legendary Waturenggong the name was changed to Batur. However, the people of the area still keep the term Gunung Lebah, which also refers to a temple there.

The complex of Pura Bukit Mentik was completely surrounded by molten lava during a volcanic eruption in 1974. But the temple itself and sacred banyan tree amazingly remained untouched by this act of Mother Nature. The temple is now referred to as the ‘Lucky Temple’.

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