galungan: celebrating unity, spirituality, and cultural heritage in bali

Hari Raya Galungan is a significant Hindu holiday celebrated by the Balinese community every six months on the Balinese calendar, precisely on the day of Buddha Kliwon Dungulan (Wednesday Kliwon in the Dungulan week). It is a time for spiritual unity and reflection, aiming to achieve peaceful thoughts and convictions. Additionally, it celebrates the victory of dharma (truth) over adharma (evil).   The celebration involves offerings to Sang Hyang Widhi (the Supreme God) and Dewa Bhatara (the gods and goddesses in their various manifestations) as expressions of gratitude. In 2024, Hari Raya Galungan falls on Wednesday, February 28th, and Wednesday, September 25th.   One of the distinctive features of the Galungan celebration is the installation of penjor, tall bamboo poles decorated with offerings, lining the streets and creating a natural ambiance. Bali, known for its beauty and religious significance, often attracts attention as a tourist destination, especially during religious festivities like Galungan.   The penjor erected along the roadsides are considered a significant icon closely associated with the celebration of Hari Raya Galungan. They adorn the streets with a natural ambiance, enhancing the beauty of Bali. Such celebrations play a crucial role in preserving Bali's cultural heritage and religious practices, while also enriching the tourism experience for visitors to the island.   It's important to remember that festivities like Hari Raya Galungan are not merely religious events but integral parts of Bali's identity and communal life. As such, these celebrations are eagerly anticipated and enthusiastically celebrated each time they occur.


juneyao airlines inaugural flight in bali

Juneyao Airlines Inaugural Flight in Bali   I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport has again increased the frequency of routes and airlines in operation. The latest increase in international route connectivity was marked by the opening of direct flights to and from Pudong International Airport, Shanghai, People's Republic of China by Juneyao Airlines which flew first on Saturday (20/1). The Pudong (PVG) - Denpasar (DPS) direct route flight is the first additional international route frequency in 2024.   Currently, the number of foreign passenger arrivals from China has increased after previously in 2020 to 2021 being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The increase is in line with the projections of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) which estimates that the number of foreign tourist arrivals from China to Indonesia will recover above 2025.   Chinese tourists coming to the island of Bali was in the third ranked with 265,805 tourists or contributing approximately 5 percent of the total number of tourists arriving through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport throughout 2023 which recorded 5,317,287 tourists.   Juneyao Airlines with flight number HO 1355 on the Pudong (PVG) - Denpasar (DPS) route operates using an Airbus A320 type aircraft landing at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport on Saturday (20/1) at 15.35 WITA, greeted by a water salute, carrying 153 passengers.   Currently, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport - Bali has 21 domestic routes served by 11 airlines. As for international routes, with the addition of Juneyao Airlines, there are currently 38 airlines serving international routes with 36 routes at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Meanwhile, for routes to China at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport has previously been served by three airlines namely Xiamen Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines with routes to and from Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Shanghai.


penglipuran village wins unwto 2023 awards

Penglipuran Village won an award as one of the best tourist villages in 2023 according to the United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).  Penglipuran village is one of 54 villages on the list of "Best Tourism Village by UNWTO" in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This year is the third edition of this award. In this third edition, 54 villages from all over the territory were selected out of 260 villages that applied. Another 20 villages have joined the Enhancement Programme, and all 74 villages are now part of the UNWTO Best Tourist Villages Network. This proud achievement was announced on Monday 23 October 2023 by the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mr. Sandiaga Uno, that the Penglipuran Tourism Village from Bangli Regency, Bali Province was selected as the "Best Tourism Village 2023". This is not the first time Penglipuran Tourism Village has received an award. Several awards received by Penglipuran Village include: 1st Place in the 2013 Cipta Awards, followed by 1st Place in the 2014 National Tourism Village. The 3rd cleanest village in the world according to the international magazine Boombastic in 2016. ISTA (Indonesia Sustainable Tourism Award) 2017 with the best ranking for cultural preservation category. ASEAN Standard Tourism Village in the same year. 1st Place in Provincial Homestay, Asian Homestay Standard, Green Destination Sustainable 2019 and won the Non-Tourism award as a Climate Village.  "Best Tourism Village" from UNWTO is an extraordinary international award for the development of the Penglipuran Tourism Village. This award is not only for Penglipuran, but for Indonesian tourism in general. This achievement will also further elevate the Penglipuran Tourism Village at the international level. Apart from that, this award is a motivation for the Penglipuran community to maintain and preserve traditions and culture so that tourism in the Penglipuran Tourism Village can be sustainable.   Photo Source: kemenparekraf


celebrity soltice, a giant ship docked at benoa harbor carrying 2,800 foreign tourists

Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, said that the arrival of Celebrity Solstice brought around 2,800 foreign tourists who were expected to visit various destinations in Bali, with a significant positive impact due to the profile of cruise ship passengers who tend to have higher spending. If we look at around 70 - 80 percent of dependence on foreign tourists on air connectivity because direct flights have a very large contribution. Meanwhile, we hope that with this cruise there will be an increase of 5 - 10 percent in the contribution of foreign tourist arrivals. While in Bali, Celebrity Solstice passengers plan to visit several interesting destinations on the Island of the Gods, including Ubud in Gianyar Regency, Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) in South Kuta District, Badung Regency, destinations in Kintamani District, Bangli Regency, and Taman Ayun Temple in Badung regency. Of course, with 2,800 passengers, I see it will visit the Ubud, GWK and Kintamani areas including Taman Ayun. Of course, we hope it will have a positive impact, especially since the average expenditure per day for foreign tourists is around $1,200, but for cruise ship passengers it can reach $1,500 to $2,000'', said the Head of the Bali Tourism Department. The Celebrity Solstice cruise ship recently docked at Benoa Harbor, Bali, as the largest ship ever to stop there. This ship, 317 meters long and 37 meters wide, is the largest ship to ever stop at Benoa Harbor, carrying around 2,800 people from all over the world. The Celebrity Solstice cruise ship will stop for two days at Benoa Harbor after sailing from Sydney, Australia, to Singapore. This adds to the total of 50 ships coming to Benoa Harbor in 2023 with 74,461 passengers.   Photo Source: https://voi.id


positively impacting bali as host of the 2023 ais forum summit

The 2023 Archipelagic and Island States Forum Summit (AIS Forum Summit) in Nusa Dua, South Kuta - Badung, will have a very positive impact on Bali tourism. First, increase the occupancy rate of hotel rooms, especially in the Nusa Dua area. Second, it becomes an indirect promotional medium for Bali to increase tourist visits, especially foreign tourists. This was conveyed by the Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun on Tuesday, October 10th 2023. Hotel room occupancy rates in the Nusa Dua area are normally around 80 percent, increasing by around 10 percent to 90 percent, some are even full. One of the contributing factors was, of course, the group of delegates to the AIS Forum Summit and also other guests. The Archipelagic and Island States Forum Summit (AIS Forum Summit) 2023, again proves and further enhances Bali's reputation as a safe and comfortable MICE (meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition) venue. The Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office also emphasized to the managers of tourist attractions (DTW) throughout Bali, to be ready when visited by the delegations. Managers must consistently maintain cleanliness, comfort, safety and prioritize that Bali tourism is cultural tourism that is harmonious with the environment. The AIS Forum Summit was held for the first time on October 11th 2023, attended by 29 countries out of a total of 51 participating countries, and four international organizations. The summit, which carried the themes of the blue economy, maritime future and solidarity, became a historical milestone that underlies the synergy of solutions among the AIS Forum participating countries to overcome global challenges. The AIS Forum Summit focuses on cooperation to address four global issues, namely climate change mitigation and adaptation, blue economy, handling plastic waste at sea, and maritime governance. Photo source: https://kemenparekraf.go.id


bali will apply tourism fee for foreign tourists

The Bali Provincial Government will apply a tourism fee for foreign tourists. This policy will be implemented on Pebruary 14th, 2024. International tourists to Bali must pay a foreign tourist fee of 150,000 Rupiah, charged in Indonesian currency, equivalent to around $10 USD. Hopefully this can trigger the revival of the tourism industry and the tourism and creative activities involved.  Bali Governor Wayan Koster said that the Bali entry fee for foreign tourists was the provincial government's strategy to make tourism more maintained and sustainable. Protecting Bali's nature so that it is clean, beautiful and sustainable in a comprehensive and sustainable manner, creating Bali tourism management that is culture-based and dignified. Then create cleanliness, order and comfort for foreign tourists while they are in Bali. Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno has no problem with the plan to impose a fee of IDR 150,000 on foreign tourists entering Bali, because the fee will later be used for the conservation of Bali's nature. Payment of fees by foreign tourists applies only once during a trip to Bali and could be paid: 1) by transfer, virtual account, or Qris payment method via LOVE BALI website or application; 2) pay non cash or cashless via Bank Counter in I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport or Benoa Bali Harbor. The number of foreign tourists traveling to Bali has increased after the status of the COVID-19 pandemic was lifted to endemic. Later, the foreign tourist fee will be used to: 1) protect Bali tradition, culture and local wisdoms; 2) supporting sustainable tourism; 3) implementing quality tourism governance; 4) creating cleanliness, safety and comfort for tourist; and 5) build quality public transportation facilities and infrastructure.  



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Love Bali Application as the Implementation of Bali Province Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023 concerning Levy for Foreign Tourists for the Protection of Balinese Culture and Natural Environment.