New Conrad Hotel a sign of Bali's economic recovery<\/p>\n
Jenny H. Backstrom, Contributor, Tanjung Benoa, Bali<\/p>\n
The planned opening of the Conrad Bali Resort & Spa early next
\nmonth suggests a more positive outlook in 2004 for business and
\ninvestment in Bali compared to the previous year, with its many
\ncauses of economic difficulties.<\/p>\n
Conrad's vice president of marketing, Richard Blamey, said the
\nresort, to be located in Tanjung Benoa, was the group's 18th
\nhotel project worldwide and that Bali was chosen because it was
\none of the world's premier tourist destinations.<\/p>\n
The resort will offer 313 guest rooms and suites with ocean
\nviews and 20 villas with private pools.<\/p>\n
High-tech conference facilities, library, restaurants, spa and
\ngymnasium are other facilities that will be offered.<\/p>\n
Bali's economy, which largely depends on the tourist industry,
\nencountered difficulties in 2003 when terrorist threats, SARS and
\nthe U.S.-led invasion of Iraq lead to travel warnings and
\ndecreased tourist numbers.<\/p>\n
"After all that happened you think investors and business
\npeople would think it better to close the door to Bali, but no,"
\nConrad Bali's general manager, Michael J. Burchett, said.<\/p>\n
"We are starting up slowly with a soft opening on March 8 and
\nwe will still be building our 20 villas. That says a lot about
\nthe confidence we have in the market," he said.<\/p>\n
"Our target for 2004 is an hotel occupancy rate of 45
\npercent." Burchett said that after a busy Christmas and New Year,
\nthe hotel industry in Bali was feeling a lot more confident about
\n2004 than perhaps even as late as December.<\/p>\n
He does not think the new visa requirements, which took effect
\non Feb. 1, or the April and July elections will directly affect
\nthe market.<\/p>\n
Conrad Hotel, part of the Hilton family of brands, is a joint
\nventure owned equally by Hilton Hotels and Hilton International.<\/p>\n
The group already has a strong presence in Asia with city
\ncenter hotels in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok, and with plans
\nfor 2005 to expand its hotel\/resort portfolio in Phuket
\n(Thailand) and Tokyo.<\/p>\n
The Bandung-based PT Oriental Indah Bali Hotel is an investor
\nin the US$60 million project in Bali, which was designed by
\narchitecture firm Wimberly, Allison Tong & Goo of Hawaii.<\/p>\n
Construction on Conrad Bali began in November 2001, despite
\nworries following the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S. It was nearly
\none year into construction when the Bali bombings hit in October
\n2002.<\/p>\n
"At that time the hotel was just a concrete shell and we could
\nhave said, 'Hey, let's close it up', but the owner and we, the
\nteam from Conrad, have felt very positive about the market in
\nBali and where it is going," Burchett said.<\/p>\n
Out of the 17,500 job applications received, 404 Indonesians
\nand four foreigners will be hired to work at the hotel, which had
\nalso created job opportunities for about 1,000 construction
\nworkers.<\/p>\n
"There are some great people here and there is no need to
\nbring in a whole lot of foreigners to add and bring a level of
\nexpertise," Burchett said.<\/p>",
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