Restaurant Waste Damaged Coral Reef

Coral reef revitalization project at Kelan Beach, Tuban, is facing obstacles. Damages to coral reef caused by domestic waste as well as hotels and restaurant disposed directly to the sea were found at several locations.? The situation was exposed by The Head of Office for Husbandry, Fishery, and Marine of Badung Regency, I Made Badra. However he confirmed that revitalization project of 12 hectares of coral reef at Kelan Beach to continue. Unfortunately level of damages caused by hotel and restaurant waste in certain locations came into serious extent that solution to restore them has not even elaborated. Damages caused by similar reasons were also found at Kuta Reef and Tuban Reef.

Badra said that the government of Badung Regency continuously intensify protection of the sea. At the moment protection of reef and water quality is conducted by related institutions between Tuban and Legian. “We continuously monitor water quality to measure level of pollution including in Legian area”, he said. Back to coral reef at Kelan Beach, Badra promised that physical implementation of the revitalization effort will start to become visible within the next one month.

At the moment the team is constructing media. Research on species to be planted is also in progress. The effort is expected to be expanded up to Legian area. “Revitalization area will be continuously expanded and in the future will be developed for marine tourism”, he added. “Management will be later on handed over to fishermen groups”.

Car Free Day in Denpasar

Continuously increasing usage of motor vehicles in Bali, especially Denpasar as the main urban area, which which exceeded available roads has brought into various negative impacts including traffic jams, pollution, and global warming. Therefore the Joint Secretariat of Cycling Groups (SAMAS) which consists of 28 cycling groups suggests real action to promote cycling culture in Bali.

The idea was presented when the executives of SAMAS paid a visit to Bali Press House, Ketut Nadha, on Tuesday (July 28th). Advisor Jaya Kusuma, President Dewa Made Merthaloka, VP Bagus Purnamadi, VP Kadek Sudiarta, Secretary Endra Datta, and Treasurer Gusti Ngurah Budhita were welcomed by the Chairman of Bali Post Media Group, Satria Naradha.

Among the action was suggesting the Mayor of Denpasar to implement car free day in certain roads in Denpasar. The suggestion was positively responded by the Mayor. Car free day will be declared on August 15th 2009 by the Mayor of Denpasar at Puputan Square, Denpasar. Starting August 16th 2009, residents of Denpasar will start to enjoy car free day.

Satria Naradha expressed his positive respond toward the idea of restoring cycling culture in Bali. Whilst he realized that it will be difficult to be implemented in Bali, he expected the government to provide bicycle lane, especially for students. He believed that privision of bicycle lane has been an expression of appreciation to bicycle users.

Hotel Occupancy is Predicted to Decrease

Right after the recent incident of two bomb explosions at luxurious hotels in Jakarta, the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) has conducted inventory of hotel occupancy in several areas of the country. The result show that there have been slight decrease in several larger cities and tourist destinations. However the decrease is predicted to extend in within a few months ahead.

Chairman of PHRI, Krisnadi exposed that whilst average occupancy remained beyon 66%, five star hotels are predicted to see a steep decrease of between 10 to 20% on foreign visitors. The situation is expected to go the opposite way in three-star hotels which mostly occupied by domestic guests. “It helps”, he said.

In detail, hotel occupancy rate at the moment are as follow: Jakarta 72%, Bali 82%, Batam 50%, Yogyakarta 75%, Surabaya 70%, Medan 70%, Manado 50%, and Makassar 65%. However the recent terror attack has brought serious fear to many people. Hundred of those planning a visit to Indonesia have canceled their trips.

“Hundred of Australians, Japaneses, and Europeans has confirmed their cancellations. Some of them were scheduled to have a meeting in Bali. We do hope the police to seriously takes care of the issue. The government has to show the same performance as when they were taking care of Bali bomb”, he explained.

Whilst he admitted that bomb can take place anywhere, speedy uncover by the authority can significantly ease its impact to hotel and restaurant industry. “The longer it takes the worse it affects hotel occupancy”, he said.

As an instiuion PHRI strongly comminates both the operatives and the masterminds of the terror attack. On the other side it expresses sincere condolences to the victims and their families. PHRI insists the government to quickly uncover, seize, and put everyone involved into justice. “More than giving bad image of Indonesian tourism, life of thousands of tourism workers are getting at risk for decreasing foreign tourist visits”, he added.