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www.travelweekly-asia.com 6 | ITB ASIA OFFICIAL DAILIES destination ///Indonesia Despite political uncertainty, security issues, the devaluation of the Rupiah and volcanic activity on the Island of the Gods, Indonesia's tourism industry is looking bright. According to Indonesia Investments, the industry is worth four percent of the country's economy and the government hopes to increase this to eight percent by 2019. Tourist arrivals have grown year on year, reaching just over 9.73 million in 2015. To look after them, the tourism sector employs nine percent of the country's workforce. Brands like The St Regis, Radisson, Regent, Fairmont, IHG, Hyatt, Waldorf Astoria, Trump and Meliá (with its 14th and 15th Indonesia-based hotels coming soon) have announced future openings in Jakarta, Bali, Bintan, Malang, Bandung and other destinations. Infrastructure continues to improve, notably phone networks and air transportation, and mostly Indonesia looks to double tourism impact in Jakarta (despite traffic woes) and Bali. Other parts of the country lag behind, other than free trade zone Batam, in the Indonesia-Malaysia- Singapore triangle. WHAT'S HOT Everyone loves Potato Head beach club. Next door, you'll find a new Borobudur By Catharine Nicol Better infrastructure, festivals and off-the-usual path towns will all help. PHOT0 CREDIT: PIGPROX/ISTOCK hotel The Katamama, by the same company. Villas are full of the owner's own collection of antiques and art. Namaste Festival will be held at The Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, in November, bringing together plenty of yoga instructors and students for healing, wellbeing, green living and charity projects in the fast-paced city. A few hours from Yogyakarta, Buddhist monument Borobudur is an incredible cultural experience. As it's best to visit early morning to beat the crowds, stay nearby at Amanjiwo and explore the surroundings by bicycle, or head into the jungle to MesaStila for wellness on a coffee plantation. Look out for the now famous Ubud Writer's & Readers Festival at the end of October featuring Dewi Lestari, Erica Jong, Amit Chaudhuri and many more writers and performers. WHAT TO DO While the city is full of malls (Grand Indonesia Mall being one of the most popular), explore Jakarta's old town, Fatahilla Square and the dark dusky, flea market at Jalan Surabaya for something different. Bali is renowned for its wellness, world-class spas like Karma Kandara, local healers like the blind masseuse at Mandapa, yoga classes like those offered at Desa Seni, and clean cuisine at cafes like Betelnut in Canggu, Bali Buda in Ubud and Earth Café in Seminyak. Volcano hikes up Mount Batur for sunrise are popular, Mount Agung is a little harder and Mount Rinjani on nearby island of Lombok is the most challenging. Infrastructure continues to improve, notably phone networks and air transportation, and mostly in Jakarta and Bali. Left: Bali procession; bottom: Ritz Carlton Bali PHOT0 CREDIT: ISTOCK CONTINUED ON PAGE 8.