Best Western opens in Ubud

BANGKOK, 16 June 2017:  Best Western Hotels & Resorts has opened a new upscale resort in Ubud, Bali’s cultural heart and an increasingly popular tourist destination.

Located in a quiet forest, yet close to the main attractions of Ubud, Best Western Premier Agung Resort Ubud reflects the classical charm and beauty of the island captured in the resort’s interior and exterior design.

The open-plan features offer traditional touches, such as wooden floors and Balinese furnishings. These are complemented by modern amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi, ensuring that guests at Best Western Premier Agung Resort Ubud have the best of both worlds. Read more

Bintan tie up with CresentRating

SINGAPORE, 9 June 2017: Bintan Resorts rolls out a series of initiatives in collaboration with CrescentRating and Halaltrip, to increase its appeal to Muslim travellers across the world with a focus on the neighbouring ASEAN region, China and the Middle East.

Indonesia recently climbed one position to take the third spot as the top performing destination in the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2017.

The new initiative includes the Muslim Visitor Guide to Bintan Resorts that will be available in English and subsequently translated to Arabic and Chinese. The guide highlights Muslim friendly resorts, attractions and Halal friendly restaurants, providing visitors with a high level of assurance. Read more

Swiss Belhotel expands in Indonesia

JAKARTA, 5 June 2017: Swiss-Belhotel International has soft opened its three-star hotel Swiss-Belinn Luwuk, in central Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Commenting on the opening executive director, vice president of group technical services Edward Faull said: “With more than 20 years experience in Indonesia, we are  committed to strengthening our presence with 64 hotels in this country.”

Swiss-Belinn Luwuk stands on a site between the mountains and the coast a 10-minute drive from  Syukuran Aminuddin Amir Airport. Read more

Call for probe into Goa’s tourist murders

MUMBAI, 1 June 2017: Relatives of 10 foreigners alleged to have been murdered in Goa, including British teenager Scarlett Keeling, have written to India’s prime minister demanding an investigation into what they claim are cover-ups by police.

Minna Pirhonen — the mother of Finnish national Felix Dahl, who was found dead in the tourist state in January 2015 — said Wednesday that the families had couriered a letter to Narendra Modi’s office last week.

In it they demand an “unbiased and independent” probe by India’s Supreme Court, the highest judicial body, into the Goa police’s handling of the 10 deaths that all occurred since 2005. Read more

Indonesian plane overshoots runway

JAKARTA, 1 June 2017: A Indonesian passenger plane carrying 146 people skidded off the runway as it landed in the eastern Papua region Wednesday, an official said, the latest mishap to hit the country’s aviation sector.

No one was hurt after the Boeing aircraft operated by domestic carrier Sriwijaya Air overshot the wet runway at the airport in Manokwari city, said transport ministry spokesman J. Adravida Barata.

TV footage showed people being evacuated from the plane, as it rested on its belly on grass next to the runway. Read more

Amadeus expands Indonesian base

BANGKOK, 29 May 2017: Amadeus is expanding its presence in Indonesia, growing its investment in technology and people to support Indonesia’s travel agency community.

Having established a presence in Indonesia since 2003 the travel technology provider will open new offices in Jakarta which will be the base to take over travel agency distribution sales and customer service activity from MF Permadi a local investor, who has represented Amadeus across Indonesia. Read more

Suicide bomb attack in Jakarta

BANGKOK, 26 May 2017: Travel advisories are warning travellers of the ongoing threat of a terrorist attack in Indonesia in the wake of an incident in Jakarta, 24 May.

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller reported that a suspected suicide bombing took place at the Kampung Melayu bus terminal in East Jakarta killing a number of police officers and injuring bystanders.

The news was overshadowed by the Manchester suicide bomb, Monday evening that killed 22 people and injured 64 people. Read more

Bomb blast in Jakarta bus station

JAKARTA, 26 May 2017: Indonesia’s elite anti-terror squad was Thursday investigating a suicide bombing attack near a busy Jakarta bus station that killed three policemen, the latest assault in the Muslim-majority country as it faces a surge in militant plots.

President Joko Widodo appealed for calm after two suicide attackers unleashed carnage outside the terminal late Wednesday, sending huge clouds of black smoke into the sky and panicked people fleeing.

Three policemen were killed, while six other officers and five civilians were injured in an attack that left body parts and shattered glass strewn across the road. The bombers also died. Read more

Aviary offers early bird discount

JAKARTA, 11 May 2017: Jakarta’s only eco-inspired Aviary Hotel brand is set to ruffle a few hospitality feathers as it prepares to open its first hotel in Indonesia 16 May.

The hotel and servicee apartment project is Bintaro a 15-minute drive from Jakarta International Airport.

Commenting on the brand Aviary Bintaro CEO Aswin Sumampau said: “We love birds. They are our inspiration in many ways – reflecting the freedom of life and all its possibilities. This is the driving philosophy behind the Aviary brand.” Read more

Ubud Food Festival

BANGKOK, 11 May 2017: Airbnb is introducing its Indonesian properties with a food theme to gain travellers’ attention during the Ubud Food Festival, 12 to 14 May.

Themed “Every flavour is a story”, Ubud Food Festival is now in its third edition offering food fanatics an opportunity to explore Asia’s top dished during the three-day event.

It draws top chefs, restaurateurs and celebrated culinary icons from Indonesia and around Asia. Read more

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