Miss World 2013 Bali Jakarta Joint hosts

Bali - Jakarta, INDONESIA Host the 63rd. Miss World 2013 

in September 2013  
Miss World 2013 official beach wear is sarongs instead of Bikinis 

Don't miss out to witness this spectacular event 

 The Miss World competition takes place at the Hotel Westin in Bali on September 8, 2013 with contestants from 142 countries, including Indonesia participating. The contestants will arrive in Bali September 2-5, 2013 staying initially at the Pan Pacific Nirwana Resort near Tanah Lot.

One day before the opening night of Miss World 2013 on Sunday, September 8, a press conference was held at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali's Bali Convention Center.
Find out more about Miss World 2013 Diary on http://www.okezone.com and http://rctinews.okezone.tv/

Stay tuned for more updates of Miss World 2013 at the resort by following us on http://www.facebook.com/westinbali and http://www.twitter.com/westinbali

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali is delighted to announce that it will be hosting the contestants of Miss World 2013 during a week-long visit to the island. This will be part of the pageant’s official agenda and the event is being staged in Indonesia for the very first time during the month of September. 

The opening ceremony for Miss World 2013 will be held in the tastefully-appointed Mangupura Hall in the adjacent Bali International Convention Centre. It will be televised live through RCTI to enthusiastic viewers in 160 nations around the globe on Sunday, 8^th September 2013.

Venue for Miss World 2013

With the arrival of our first guest, Miss World 2013 has officially begun!

Arriving in the early hours of the morning, Malta’s Donna Borg Leyland was the first contestant to arrive at the Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort, our home for the next week!

After a much needed rest, we caught up with an excited Malta to see how she was settling in."I'm Finally here." she said. "The people here are so nice, its great to be already meeting some of the contestants.. I think i am falling in love with the place already."
 Miss World 2013 contestants have arrived in Bali
 

BALI, Indonesia (AP) — The 63rd edition of the Miss World pageant opened Sunday after protests by Muslim hard-liners confined the event to Indonesia's predominantly Hindu resort island of Bali.
The opening ceremony, which was televised to 186 countries, featured Bali's Kecak dance and a parade of all 131 contestants.
Following days of protests by Indonesian hard-line Muslim groups and the rejection of the contest by a leading clerics' organization, the government announced Saturday that it was moving the Sept. 28 final round to Bali. It was initially set to be held in Sentul, on the outskirts of the capital, Jakarta.
"We only want to try to find the best way of working together," Morley told a news conference Saturday in Bali.
Bali is the only Hindu-dominated province in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country.
Controversy over the pageant has been mounting in Indonesia, which has a reputation as a tolerant, pluralist society that respects freedom of expression.

 A look at Miss World's past six decades for the Miss World 2011 final competition, which was also Miss World's 60th birthday!

For more information on Miss World, contestants and more visit us at: http://www.missworld.com
Visit us on facebook for live news updates, exclusive photographs and more at: http://www.facebook.com/missworld

Miss World 2012 China PR -- Yu Wenxia

1st Runner-up Wales -- Sophie Moulds

Miss Indonesia 2013 Vania Larissa

Updated news for Miss World 2013 in Bali and Jakarta 

Miss World 2013 Official beach wear is Sarongs 

Miss World 2013  Official beach wear by Astradeco Fashion 

Vania Larissa, Miss West Kalimantan, was crowned Miss World Indonesia 2013 on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 at the Jakarta International Expo. Vania is 17 years old from Pontianak and fluent in English and Mandarin. Vania will represent Indonesia in the upcoming Miss World 2013 beauty pageant on September 28, 2013. At total of 33 women competed in this year's pageant and the remaining finalists were: Shinta Sapphira (first runner-up), and Jovita Dwijayanti (second runner-up). The remaining top five finalists were: Claudia Marcia, and Yemima Hutapea.

A few special awards were given during the competition: Miss Internet was awarded to Nadhira Titalia, Miss Prettiest Skin was given to Claudia Marcia, and Miss V-Fresh was presented to Marsha Pical.
This year was the ninth year for the Miss Indonesia Pageant and it was hosted by Daniel Mananta and Javier Justin. The reigning Miss World 2012 Wenxia Yu was a special guest during the event.
For more information about the Miss Indonesia pageant log onto: http://missindonesia.co.id

  The Miss World 2013 Official beachwear is Sarongs 

Miss World bans bikinis from 2013 contest to avoid offending Muslim population of host nation Indonesia  All Miss World 2013 Finalists are requested to put on Sarong attire instead of bikinis

 After more than six decades of flaunting flesh, bikinis will be banned at this year's Miss World pageant.

  Miss World 2013 Official beachwear by Astradeco Fashion

Skimpy swimwear has been axed to avoid offending the Muslim population of Indonesia, where the 2013 contest will be hosted.

Beach fashion will still feature in the pageant, but the 137 beauty queens will wear more conservative outfits, such as sarongs.

Miss World Organisation chairwoman Julia Morley told AFP she did not want to "upset or get anyone in a situation where we are being disrespectful".

She added: "We treasure respect for all the countries that take part in the pageant."

Nana Putra, from the official pageant broadcaster MNC, also told the news agency: "We discussed the beach fashion issue last year with Miss World in London before we even agreed to host the event because we knew this would be sensitive in Indonesia."

Miss World 2013 takes place on the holiday island of Bali in September.

Miss World 2013 Contestants

Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk Miss World bans bikinis from 2013 contest

Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter |

 The Miss World 2013 live telecast will take place at the Sentul International Convention Center in Jakarta (Indonesia) on Saturday, September 28th as confirmed by the Miss World Organisation on January 12th.

Miss World 2013 will be the 63rd edition of the Miss World pageant to be held on the 28 September 2013, at the Sentul International Convention Center in Indonesia. Yu Wenxia of China PR will crown her successor at the end of this event.

SICC is a unique conference hall with a very beautiful nature and is located in Sentul City area. Standing on an area of 6.4 acres, SICC is surrounded by mountains all around, they are Mount Gede, Mount Hambalang, Mount Pangrango, and Mount Pancar.

SICC building is the largest hall in Indonesia to this time, with seating capacity of over 10,120 seats. It is the right place for Meetings, Seminars, Music Concert, New Product Launch, or other corporate events with large numbers of participants / guests.

About 131 contestants will arrive in Indonesia for a month before the final to visit some of the country’s most important attractions, including the resort province of Bali.

 

One hundred and thirty one beauty pageants from across the globe will be bound for Bali in September 2013 for the Miss World Contest.

The event organizers said they had chosen the Bali island resort on account of its global popularity and its track record of hosting international events.

Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali,Indonesia is well prepared to welcome Miss World 2013 contestants during their stay in Bali from September 4 to 15 2013 

Bipan Kapur, Managing Director of The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, said it was a great honor for the Westin to be elected as one of the official hotels for the prestigious international event Miss World 2013.
 

"The Westin is very pleased to welcome the contestants for one week in Bali at the resort and  hotel that we manage," he said on Monday (7/22).

He further went on to say that the whole team of Westin Resort Bali has been preparing all the best we can to welcome all the contestants from various countries, and we will ensure the contestants and entourage to have a lot of fascinating experience during their stay on the island of Bali.
 

"It is the first Miss World  event for Bali, Indonesia . therefore all supporting activities can not be separated from religious values ​​and culture of Indonesia, "he said 
Westin Resort Nusa Dua from September 4 th up to 15 th. 2013

Road to Miss World 2013  in Jakarta and  Bali, Indonesia 

Bali hosted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit last year and will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in October 2013.

Indonesian tourism officials are currently working on a theme and other arrangements that will showcase the best of Indonesia to the rest of the world during the beauty pageant.

The contest is a gold mine in terms of promoting a country as a tourism destination with an estimated annual global television audience of one billion.

The recent visit to Bali by Miss World 2011, Ivian Sarcos, permitted the 22-year-old Venezuelan beauty the chance to tour the island and pay a courtesy call on Bali’s governor Made Mangku Pastika.

The Host country for Miss World 2013 is Indonesia
We are very pleased to announce that Miss World 2013 will take place in Indonesia, with Bali and Jakarta chosen as joint hosts. It will be the first time for Indonesia to hold a Miss world event and preparations are already underway to make it a hugely entertaining and exciting contest in 2013.

Miss World 2013 Bali Jakarta Joint hosts  

During her visit with Bali’s chief executive, Sarcos told governor Pastika of the desire of the Miss World organizer’s desire to hold the 2013 Miss World competition in Bali.

Joining the meeting was Julia Morley, co-chair of the Miss World Organization, who explained to the governor that Bali was chosen because of its success in hosting many international events.

 “Tabanan Regency, Penebel Village , Bali  has been chosen as the 2013 Miss World host as it supports the concept of alignments to the Go Green environment,  and Subak (traditional irrigation organization in Bali), with its achievement as World Cultural Heritage conferred by UNESCO,” Tabanan Deputy Regent Komang Gede Sanjaya said as quoted by Antara news agency.

The Miss World  contestants from more than 130 countries will enjoy Indonesia's warm and welcoming hospitality. The remarkable combination of beautiful sandy beaches, exotic sea life, rugged volcanic mountains, tropical rainforests and hidden stone temples combine to make not only an incredible holiday destination, but the perfect backdrop to film the world's most glamorous event.

From the picturesque resorts of Sanur and Candi Dasa on the east coast, the cultural center Ubud or Lovina in the north, Bali the island of love  has got so much to explore . If you just want to relax and unwind, the Ayana Resort and Spa, Westin Resort Nusa Dua , Nikko Bali  Resort and Spa, May Ubud Resort and Spa offer bountiful opportunities to pamper yourselves and family members  with a beachfront location, three swimming pools and a invigorating spa.
Jakarta offers a variety of sightseeing options, with its rich cultural heritage carefully preserved alongside modern architecture, including restaurants, shops and museums.
We look forward to putting on a spectacular Miss World show in Indonesia and hope that you will join us, we can't wait to see you there! 

Thanks to founder Eric Morley’s PR expertise, the first Miss World pageant welcomed a global audience greater than international events like the World Cup and the Olympic Games. The BBC televised Miss World from 1959 to 1979 and Thames Television picked up the contract from 1980 to 1988. At its peak, the show claimed an audience of 27.5 million in Britain alone a figure comparable to that of a royal wedding Fifty years on from the first pageant, Miss World still pulls in the crowds and can boast an annual audience of over a billion.

Healthy inside, fresh outside

Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo : Achieving peace of mind is never easy. That’s why I visit places like the Borobudur for spiritual health and wellness. The pursuit of the beauty can be just as hard before you focus on the outside, start from the inside. Drink YouC1000 vitamin with 1000 mg to help you strengthen your immune system and to keep you healthy.
 Healthy Inside, fresh outside.

Healthy inside, fresh outside

Healthy inside, fresh outside

It's better to be healthy on the inside before we focus on the outside. Drink YouC1000 with 1000mg of Vitamin C to help strengthen  your immune system. 

Healthy inside, fresh outside

Source : http://www.missworld.com/History/

Christmas wishes 2012 from Overseas

Presidents and heads of the government  from all over the world  have delivered Christmas best wishes, among others , President Obama and the first lady Michelle Obama ,  PM Julia Gillard, The Pope Benedict XVI , The Queen Elizabeth II  and some others 

Let's take a look and listen to what they convey to us 

Merry Christmas from PM Julia Gillard 

Merry Christmas, Additional Personal Touch from Julia Gillard THE prime minister has reached out to those who lost loved ones this year in her annual Christmas message, while the opposition leader paid tribute to troops serving overseas. In her 2012 Christmas message, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said while Christmas is a time to celebrate with family, it could also be a time of loneliness and isolation for others. "However you and your family celebrate Christmas, whatever your own Christmas traditions are, I hope you have a wonderful day. "To those without family, I say please reach out a hand and in this wonderful country you will find a hand of friendship reaching back out to you." 

Shalom, ROCK Senior Pastor Rev. DR Timotius Arifin's Christmas Message  President Obama and First Lady Michelle's Christmas message

KERSTTOESPRAAK 2012 KONINGIN BEATRIX UITGELEKT The Queen Elizabeth II annual royal Christmas message The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI Christmas message Excerpts of his Christmas message 

 http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pope-prepares-deliver-christmas-day-blessing-093210994.html 

Pope Benedict XVI called for an "end to the bloodshed" in Syria and denounced the "savage" violence in Africa on Tuesday, even as Nigeria witnessed a Christmas attack on Christians. 

Speaking in his traditional Christmas message, the pope touched on several other of the world's conflict zones.
A capacity crowd of 40,000 pilgrims filled the vast St Peter's Square to hear the 85-year-old pope, resplendent in red vestments, deliver the "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and to the World) message.

Speaking from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, the pope called for a return to peace in Nigeria, where he said "savage acts of terrorism continue to reap victims, particularly among Christians."

As he spoke, news was filtering in of a deadly attack there.

Gunmen attacked a church in the northern state of Yobe during a Christmas Eve service, killing six people, including the pastor, before setting the building ablaze.

It was the latest attack blamed on the radical Islamist sect Boko Haram, which has repeatedly targeted churches during times of worship, including multiple attacks last year on Christmas Day.

The pope also prayed for peace in Syria, whose people have been "deeply wounded and divided by a conflict which does not spare even the defenceless and reaps innocent victims."

In a message watched by millions around the world, he called "for an end to the bloodshed... and dialogue in the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict."

His wide-ranging speech pressed for peace in the Middle East and appealed to China's new leadership to respect religious freedom there.

In Indonesia, more than 200 Muslims threw rotten eggs at Christians wanting to hold a Christmas mass outside Jakarta, police said.

Around a hundred Christian worshippers had gathered for the mass near the spot where they hoped to build a church but saw the project barred by district government and community members.

At the midnight mass in Bethlehem, the most senior Roman Catholic bishop in the Middle East issued a special call for efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"Only justice and peace in the Holy Land can reestablish balance and stability in the region and in the world," Patriarch Fuad Twal told worshippers in the West Bank city, the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

"From this holy place, I invite politicians and men of good will to work with determination for peace and reconciliation that encompasses Palestine and Israel in the midst of all the sufferings in the Middle East," Twal said.

The outgoing archbishop of Canterbury, in his final Christmas Day sermon, acknowledged that last month's failure by England's state church to approve women bishops had been "deeply painful."

The decision had damaged the church's reputation, Rowan Williams, who steps down at the end of the year, said from Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England.

The liberal Williams, head of the world's 80 million Anglicans, fought over the last decade to bridge the divide with the church's traditionalists.

In South Africa, former leader Nelson Mandela shared Christmas greetings with visitors to his hospital bedside, including his wife Graca Machel, other family members and President Jacob Zuma.

"We found him in good spirits," Zuma said. "He was happy to have visitors on this special day and is looking much better."

The 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon was admitted on December 8 to a Pretoria hospital where has been treated for a recurrent lung infection and had surgery to remove gallstones.

Former US president George H.W. Bush celebrated Christmas in a Texas hospital with his family after a series of health setbacks delayed his release. He has been suffering from bronchitis.

Britain's Margaret Thatcher, 87, was also confined to a hospital bed for Christmas this year.

The former prime minister was admitted to hospital on Thursday for a minor operation to remove a growth in her bladder.

Also in Britain, Prince William and his pregnant wife Catherine were absent when the royal family attended a Christmas church service.

William and the former Kate Middleton, who is recovering from severe morning sickness that landed her in hospital for four days earlier this month, broke with tradition to spend Christmas Day with her family rather than the royals.

The 86-year-old queen, who had missed church on Sunday due to a cold, appeared in good spirits as she arrived for the service at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England.

In her Christmas message, she paid tribute to the athletes and volunteers who helped make the Olympic and the Paralympic Games a success, and said it had been "humbling" to see vast crowds joining celebrations marking her 60th year on the throne.

In the United States, the organisation responsible for monitoring North American airspace helped children track Santa Claus's progress as he completed his whirlwind journey around the globe.

The Santa tracker set up by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a US-Canada joint operation, said Father Christmas and his hardworking reindeer were resting at the North Pole, having delivered more than seven billion gifts during his annual journey.

Peace no war (English Version) Musical Short Film - Happy Love For Peace Channel Foreign Secretary's Christmas and New Year message Bermuda Premier's Christmas Message 2012 Governor George Fergusson Christmas Message 2012

Christmas Message from President Michael D. Higgins Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Christmas Greeting 2012 Dubes AS Ucapkan Selamat Natal & Tahun Baru (December 18, 2012)

Miss Universe 2012 Coronation Night

Heartiest Congratz to Olivia Culpo on being the Miss Universe 2012

 Miss USA (Olivia Culpo) is crowned Miss Universe 2012.

Miss Universe 2012 , Preliminary Competition which includes all 89 contestant introductions, swimsuit, and evening gown! Please Enjoy,  Happy watching !

It’s been more than a year since Angola’s Leila Lopes was crowned last year’s winner in Brazil. 

Miss Universe 2012 Contestant part I Miss Universe 2012 contestants part II Miss Universe 2012 contestants part III Miss Universe 2012 Contestant part IV Miss Universe 2012 contestants part V Miss Universe 2012 contestants part VI Miss Universe 2012 contestants part VII Miss Universe 2012 contestants part VIII Miss Universe 2012 contestants part IX Miss Universe 2012 contestants part 10

Miss Universe 2012 is the 61st Miss Universe pageant, and the final is held  today on December 19, 2012, at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Leila Lopes from Angola will crown her successor at the end of this event. 89 countries and territories take part in this year's pageant and it will be broadcasted live in participant countries and territories by NBC, Telemundo & the international broadcasters.

The preliminary and national costume shows have been  webcast on the official Miss Universe website and on Xbox Live. Shamcey Supsup, third runner up from Miss Universe 2011, will host the official web contents.

Today’s the big coronation night, and fans already have their picks as to who will be the lovely candidates that will be included in the competition's initial cut, the top 10 which  will be hosted by Andy Cohen and Giuliana Rancic; Train will be playing on stage.

December 11, 2012: Swimsuit Preview at Planet Hollywood

December 11–12, 2012: Personality Interviews

December 13, 2012: Preliminary Competition (Ustream & Xbox Live)

December 14, 2012: Trump Holiday Party at the Trump International Hotel & Casino

December 14, 2012: Media Junket at Planet Hollywood

December 14, 2012: National Costume Show (Ustream & Xbox Live)

December 15, 2012: Rehearsal & National Gift Auction

December 16, 2012: Rehearsal & OutMusic Awards at PH Live

December 17–18, 2012: Rehearsals at PH Live

December 19, 2012: Live Telecast (NBC & Telemundo)

December 19, 2012: 2012 Miss Universe Russian Standard After Party (Xbox Live)

December 20–23, 2012: Contestant Departure

The preliminaries have already begun and based on what the fans and judges are buzzing about, these are the 10 most likely candidates to be included in the first shed of the competition:

1.       Miss Georgia, Tamar Shedania

Tamar who was  born in 1992, has spent time as a professional model before winning the Miss Georgia 2012 title. Her blonde hair, slender figure, and blue eyes strike the look of a high-fashion beauty queen. Fans seem to agree since Tamar gained some of the highest votes in online Miss Universe polls.

2.       Miss USA, Olivia Culpo

The 21-year-old  woman Olivia Culpo from Rhode Island has become  one of the early favorites, not only because she's from the host country, but also because of her subtle looks and finesse that makes her rise above the rest.

Olivia Culpo  a University sophomore and a self-described “cellist-nerd”
won the Miss Universe title Wednesday night bringing it back to the
U.S. for the first time since 1997.

Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo spent more than a week in  Indonesia, arriving on January 31st 2013  and leaving for the USA on Saturday 9th. 2013

Her purpose of visit was to  attend the grand final of the Putri Indonesia beauty pageant at the Jakarta Convention Center on Friday.

Tribunnews.com reported that Culpo visited Mooryati Soedibyo Education and Learning Center at the Graha Mustika Ratu building in Central Jakarta on Wednesday. She is also slated to have a spa treatment at the Java Princess Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa.

According to her official Twitter account, she has been in the capital for more than a week. Previously, she went to Yogyakarta for a commercial shoot at Borobudur temple.

It was an honor for us to have her in Indonesia  as She also said on her Twitter account that Indonesia was her first international trip since she was crowned as Miss Universe last year

  
Olivia Culpo has heard about Bali for a long time since she was in high school , just cherishing it in her heart  and  at last her dream came true, In the midst of her tight schedule ,Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo also had a chance to visit Bali  and  officially launched the  soft opening of Sapu Lidi Resort, Ubud  Bali on February 6th. 2013 

She looked so happy to see smiling faces who greeted her in Bali 
Despite her short visit in Bali the island of love, she felt very excited and it could be one of her most  memorable trips in Indonesia   

Welcome to Bali the island of Love, Miss Universe 2012 , Olivia Culpo

Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo cheerfully  paid a visit to Bali, the island of love.  Ms. Olivia Culpo  is  the American  beauty pageant titleholder, a 21 year old woman  born in Cranston, Rhode Island ,USA  visited  Ubud, Gianyar, Bali, on Wednesday late afternoon   (6 Feb 2013 ) 
 

Puteri Bali 2012 , Cok Istri Krisnanda;Miss Universe2012 , Olivia Culpo;Puteri Indonesia 2013, Whulandary Herman. Soft Launching Feb 6, 2013, 
SapuLidi Resort Ubud, Bali. 

Being Accompanied by the newly elected Miss Indonesia  2013 Whulandari Herman, and Puteri Bali 2012 Cok Istri Krisnanda, the beauty pageant Olivia Culpo was entertained with a gala dinner at Sapu Lidi Cafe after she officially launched a soft opening of the Sapu Lidi Resort, Pengosekan Ubud.

In the happy happening blended with the inaugural opening of Sapu Lidi Resort, Ubud Bali , a number of officials in the Gianyar Regency as well as the Bali Provincial administration were also present.

The Miss Universe 2012 , who just arrived in Bali , was greeted with various Balinese arts and cultural performances . "In the presence of Miss Universe 2012, we would like to keep our community assured  that Sapu Lidi is sincerely keen on boosting Ubud’s image and its tourism  in  the international community," cited  Bob Doank, the founder and owner of Sapu Lidi Resort, Ubud Bali.

Sapu Lidi  was previously engaged in operating various stores of jeans in Bandung, West Java, and had its booming business or heyday in the 1980s. In 1999 Sapu Lidi  started branching out its business line to culinary  or restaurant  business and presently have developed in to accommodation with its  unique concept of  a signature restaurant in the region, where the patrons or visitors can savor their meals above the sprawling rice fields.

Source :Article posted  by Republika.co.id 

http://www.republika.co.id/berita/nasional/umum/13/02/06/mhst4k-ratu-sejagat-kunjungi-bali

3.       Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon

Janine nabbed the most Facebook votes and is declared the fan favorite, even before she swept the preliminary competitions for the pageant. Her looks define the natural beauty and grace of a Filipina, and it's no surprise why everyone seem to be excited for this candidate.

  4.       Miss Australia, Renae Ayris

Raised in Perth, the blonde bombshell is making her country proud by being one of the top contenders in the said pageant.

5.       Miss Thailand, Farida Waller

Farida has got  the western features and exotic look of a modern Thai beauty, making fans adore her with much confidence.

Other contenders for the top 10 are as follows:

6.       Miss Albania,  Adrola Drushi

7.       Miss Angola, Marcelina Vahekeni

8.       Miss Aruba, Liza Helder

9.       Miss El Salvador, Ana Yancy Clavel

10.     Miss Finland, Sara Yasmina Chafak

Sources
:http://www.missuniverse.com/members/contestants/year:2012
http://www.nbc.com/miss-universe/

@translatorbali

BHA Launched a Scholarship Paradigm Book

BHA Press Release: Bali Hotels Association Launched a Scholarship Paradigm Book

BHA scholarship scheme celebrates one decade of success

Denpasar, Bali, December 15—Bali Hotels Association’s Scholarship Program—which provides scholarships to 16 students every year to attend the county’s largest tourism institute—celebrated its 10th birthday in October. To mark the occasion, the association has launched a book entitled The First Decade of BHA Scholarship Program 2002-2012.

This book is a milestone for the program, and BHA hopes it will also encourage and motivate other sustainable initiatives. It will be distributed to various institutions such as the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and Bali-based embassies. It is also available for purchase at Rp 200,000 by companies or organizations that would like to learn about and implement similar schemes in their CSR programs.

“As hotel managers, this island has given a lot to us,” said Jean-Charles Le Coz, BHA chairman. “So our motivation it is not only giving back to the community, but also to support the development of local talent to work with us in the hospitality industry.”

The book was officially launched by Drs. I Nyoman Wardawan, representating the Bali Tourism Authority Office, accompanied by a representative of the Bali Regional Police Office, at Bali Hyatt, Sanur beach. BHA would also like to thank the sponsors of the book and its launch: Bali Hyatt, Conrad Bali, 101 Legian Hotel, TUV Rheinland, Bali Jet Set Dive & Marine Sports, Schneider Electric, Lotus Food Services, and PT. Golden Bird Bali.

About the Scholarship Program

The partnership between Bali Hotels Association (BHA) and the Inspirasia Foundation (formerly the Annika Linden Foundation) has seen 91 students in total receive full scholarships and partial scholarships.

“The hotels’ support comes in the form of candidate selection at the initial stage,” said BHA’s Le Coz. “Thereafter, students that are eligible for full scholarship receives financial support provided by the Inspirasia Foundation while students that are eligible for partial scholarship receives funds from 28 BHA hotel members and/or other sources.”

For more info about Bali Hotels Association, pls kindly visit www.balihotelsassociation.com

For more info about Bali Is My Life, visit www.baliismylife.com, join www.facebook.com/baliismylife, or follow our tweet: @BaliIsMyLife

PSY - GANGNAM STYLE (강남스타일) M/V Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe

Aussie PM Julia Gillard : the end of the world

What a surprise ! Ms. Gillard took a couple of minutes of her valuable time to address the End of the world to the fellow Australians on a video clip and broadcast via Youtube 

Here is what she says on the 55 second clip 


My dear remaining fellow Australians. The end of the world is coming.
It wasn’t Y2K, it wasn’t even the carbon price. It turns out the Mayan
calendar was true. While Australia’s best and brightest at the CSI
have not been able to confirm this; I’m confident in Triple J’s that
the world is about to end.

Whether the final blow comes from flesh eating zombies, demonic hell
beasts or from the total triumph of K-Pop, if you know one thing about
me, it is this, I will always fight for you til the very end. And at
least this means I won’t have to do Q&A again. Good luck to you all.’

  

The End of World Spoof 

The Prime Minister of Australia has sent a message to triple j listeners, in what is a clear show of faith in Tom & Alex's ability to predict the future...

Certain Mayan-predicted death, total global destruction and bad stuff will take place on Friday 7 December 2012. Dr Karl, and now the PM, has confirmed it - so it must be true.
In a bold attempt at surviving the nuclear fallout and duck plague that is sure to ensue, Tom and Alex have decided to broadcast their last show live from the ABC bunker - built to survive the strongest of apocalypses as well as house Kerry O'Brien's collection of fine wines.

They will be joined by comedian Tim Minchin who will be performing the final Like A Version of all time, as well as sports superstar Ellyse Perry, a Children's Choir, and a bunch of carefully selected triple j listeners who will be used as baby incubators and/or food to help in the human race's survival.

Australia's Herald Sun newspaper contacted Gillard's office seeking further information.

"What Australian doesn't mind a laugh from time to time? Anyway, the world's going to end tomorrow so shouldn't you be writing about that?" a spokesperson for the prime minister said.
NASA: It's not true
Such has been the hype about the supposed Mayan prediction for the end of the world on Dec. 21, 2012, that NASA was moved to issue a denial in a statement on its website.
"The world will not end in 2012. Our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, and credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012," NASA said.
 

 

HIV/AIDS in Bali – BHA and Partners on the Offensive

BHA Press Release: HIV/AIDS in Bali - Bali Hotels Association and Partners on the Offensive

Bali Hotels Association (BHA)together with the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) and the Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association [Perkumpulan Keluarga Berencana Indonesia] (PKBI) engaged in a partnership which aims at raising public awareness and educating the employees of Bali’s Hotels Association on HIV/AIDS.

In a Training of Trainers (ToT) approach – kick-started with the training of future resource persons from 20.11.2012 to 23.11.2012 - the partnership aims at providing adequate knowledge about the spread of HIV/AIDS, modes of infection, rights and social behavior as well as counseling with a focus on the work environment.

All hotels sending participants committed themselves to conduct additional awareness raising and information events for their own staff, utilizing their newly trained resource persons. It is also envisaged that the knowledge gained through the series of trainings in the participating hotels will be disseminated further to the communities in Bali, in particular the young people.

Until April 2013 GIZ, BHA and PKBI work together to educate thousands of hospitality and tourism workers. While BHA provides an audience (future replicators), infrastructure and organizational assistance, GIZ and PKBI contribute with trainers, training materials, and their expertise. The trainings were carried out through PKBI - on behalf of GIZ – who is also in charge for providing necessary coaching for the newly trained resources persons in conducting their own information events. Moreover, a joint monitoring by the three parties will be conducted in order to measure the achievements and benefits of this HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns. 

Focusing on facts and knowledge and the dedication to change of behavior, the ToTs have been conducted in a lively and sometimes even funny atmosphere. The initiative caught on – its content is already spreading beyond the direct hotel environment. Participants reported follow up discussions within their families, friends and even at their hair dressers.

Within the framework of this initiative, BHA is also committed to implement a HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy at the beginning of 2013 with the aim, among others, to ensure that HIV/AIDS positive individuals working at BHA hotels will not be discriminated against.

After the successful cooperation in Bali, GIZ plans to start a similar initiative in Lombok, making use of the valuable experience gathered during its collaboration with BHA.

With 250 million inhabitants, the Republic of Indonesia is the fourth most populated country in the world and the country with the fastest growing HIV epidemic in Asia with an estimate of over 400.000 people living with HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Bali is one of the provinces with a rapid increase in HIV prevalence. Recently it is reported that an estimated one percent of pregnant women in Bali are infected with HIV/AIDS. According to the AIDS Commission [Komisi Penanggulangan AIDS] (KPA) in Denpasar, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Bali has increased by an alarmingly 24% during 2011 to 5.222 people, compared to 4.210 people in 2010.

As Bali is aiming to maintain its status as the number one tourist destination in Indonesia, the increase in HIV prevalence may also hamper the sustainability of tourism in Bali. HIV/AIDS positive individuals are still often stigmatised, discriminated and misinformed. Once infected, many do not seek adequate treatment due to fear of exposure and job loss. Therefore measures to stem the spread of HIV and to protect people from discrimination at home and at the workplace must be taken, to which this cooperation shall contribute.

For further information please contact:

Bali Hotels Association (BHA)

Alexander Kesper – BHA Security and Safety Executive

Nia Septinawati – BHA Scholarship and Education Program Coordinator 

Source :

www.balihotelsassociation.com