Northstar

14 | www.travelweekly-asia.com DESTINATION Indonesia Strong interest among European travel buyers to send their clients "Beyond Bali" is driving interest in this year's Bali and Beyond Travel Fair. Scheduled for June 25-29 at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre, BBTF is expected to attract more than 250 buyers from 52 countries. There's a strong representation from Europe -- 30 UK buyers had registered at the beginning of May, followed by buyers from France, Netherlands, Italy and Germany, Bulgaria, Estonia, Poland and Russia. BBTF 2019 is on target to attract more than 200 sellers from Indonesian provinces, many of whom will be hoping to lure business beyond Bali and to destinations such as Lake Toba, Mandalika, the integrated resort in Lombok, Labuan Bajo and Wakatobi. Air access is key to the development of destinations beyond Bali and for Lombok that situation will be improved by the launch of a new daily AirAsia service from Kuala Lumpur, and the June 9 launch of a four-times-a-week service connecting Lombok with Perth in Western Australia. Air access will be key to developing destinations beyond Bali. By Ian Jarrett BY IAN JARRETT ROOM WITH A VIEW: THE APURVA KEMPINSKI, BALI 80sqm to 43 one-, two- and three- bedroom villas offering up to 1,379sqm of space with private pools and tropical gardens. There are 162 cliff top and oceanfront Junior Suites and 14 Specialist Suites with private plunge pools, and access to the Cliff Lounge and its panoramic pools. THE SERVICE: Early days for the Apurva Kempinski but clearly there's been a lot of careful staff selection and training to make sure the resort runs smoothly from day one. MEMORABLE MOMENT: In the lobby, Selasar Deli serves refreshments like specialty luwak coffee and jamu herbal tonic. Jamu's cocktails of various roots, bark, flowers, seeds, leaves and fruits is Indonesia's all-natural anti- inflammatory and digestive elixir. FINAL WORD: It's been a worthwhile wait for the Apurva Kempinski, which ranks alongside the best luxury properties on the Indonesian island. Indonesia is keen to promote Lombok as one of the "10 New Balis" but is aware that will not happen overnight. Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya, says he always uses the formula of the "three A's" in developing a tourism destination, namely: Attractions, Access, and Amenities. Many of the "10 New Balis" are unable to tick all these boxes. While most have great natural attractions, they lack the air access and international hotels required to attract large numbers of tourists. Chief Executive of AirAsia Indonesia, Dendy Kurniawan, said the inauguration of Lombok as an air hub by the airline not only signifies growing domestic and international connectivity, but also creates employment for the people of Lombok by stimulating tourism. Last year, AirAsia flew some 3.2 million foreign visitors to Indonesia, or about 35% of all foreign tourists. Preliminary totals for foreign tourist arrivals to Bali show 449,637 international visitors came to Bali in March 2019, a month-on-month decline of 8.74% when compared to the 492,678 foreign tourists who came to Bali in March 2018. Chinese tourists represented a 19.38% market share of all foreign visitors in March 2019, followed by travellers from Australia (18.46%), India (5.86%), USA (5.03%) and the UK (4.75%)." THE VIEW: To the ocean from the top of the 250-step walkway, inspired by Bali's sacred Pura Besakih water temple, or back the other way across swimming pools, waterfalls and lagoons to the main building, the views are absolutely sensational. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Set off by a soaring, tiered roof, the lobby is a wide-open space featuring Javanese hand-carved gebyok partitions and artworks that reference Indonesia's prosperous Majapahit kingdom. THE LOCATION: No mistake, Cliffside Nusa Dua is the new enclave for Bali's best hotels. THE ROOM: There will eventually be 475 rooms, including suites and villas, and six restaurants, lounges and bars, including Koral, Bali's first aquarium restaurant. Rooms range from 65sqm- Bali Goes Well Beyond Its Borders With 2019 Bali And Beyond Travel Fair The honeymoon set-up at Apuvra Kempinski Bali. Lombok's new air services will help to draw visitors to the island. PHOTO CREDIT: CREATIVAIMAGES/GETTYIMAGES.

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