Yogyakarta Hotels & Central Java

Hotel di Magelang

2011-11-26T08:22:00.000+07:00

Kota Magelang adalah salah satu kota di provinsi Jawa Tengah. Kota ini terletak di tengah-tengah kabupaten Magelang. Karena memang dulunya Kota Magelang adalah ibukota dari Kabupaten Magelang sebelum mendapat kebijakan untuk mengurus rumah tangga sendiri sebagai sebuah kota baru. Kota Magelang memiliki posisi yang strategis, karena berada di jalur utama Semarang-Yogyakarta. Kota Magelang berada di 15 km sebelah Utara Kota Mungkid, 75 km sebelah selatan Semarang, dan 43 km sebelah utara Yogyakarta. Kota Magelang terdiri atas 3 kecamatan, yakni Magelang Utara, Magelang Selatan dan Magelang Tengah , yang dibagi lagi sejumlah kelurahan. Hotel di Magelang

Losari Coffee Plantation : Losari Coffee Plantation yang terletak di Magelang, Jawa Tengah, masing-masing dari 26 sari yang villa adalah unik. Mereka semua terletak di puncak bukit di tengah perkebunan dan semuanya direkonstruksi dari Limasans Jawa asli, Joglos atau rumah Kudos. Ada empat vila kategori, nama masing-masing kategori menggambarkan lokasinya atau parfum manis flora sekitarnya. Tipe villa di Losari Coffee plantation antara lain tipe Plantation Villa dengan luas 80 sqm, Arum Villa dengan luas 100 sqm, Ambar Villa dengan luas 135 sqm, Bella Vista (www.losaricoffeeplantation.com)

Puri Asri Magelang : hotel di Magelang ini merupakan hotel berbintang 4 dikota Magelang. Hotel Puri Asri yang strategis terletak di pusat kota Magelang, Jawa Tengah. Hanya 20 menit dari Candi Borobudur yang dikenal di seluruh dunia sebagai salah satu dari Tujuh Keajaiban Dunia. Hanya membutuhkan waktu 5 menit berkendara ke Borobudur Internasional 18-hole Golf Course. Perjalanan dari Bandara Internasional Adi Sucipto Yogyakarta hanya satu jam ride.The suasana hotel ini menarik, dikelilingi dengan pegunungan dan menghadap ke sungai dan besar lapangan hijau padi dengan angin pegunungan yang sejuk. Alamat Hotel Jl. Cempaka No.9 Magelang Jawa Tengah Indonesia (www.puriasrihotel.com)

Saraswati Borobudur : hotel ini terletak bersebelahan dengan candi Borobudur tepat nya berada di jalan Balaputradewa No.10 Borobudur, Magelang, Jawa Tengah. hotel di Magelang ini menawarkan akomodasi yang nyaman dengan pilihan kamar dari tipe Standard room, Junior, Royal dan Super Royal. (www.saraswatiborobudur.com)

Pariwisata di Kota Magelang

Meskipun kecil, kota Magelang memiliki banyak tempat menarik yang layak dikunjungi selain dari candi Borobudur, pawon dan lain sebagainya antara lain:
Wisata Kuliner: Di Kota Magelang terdapat beberapa tempat jajan yang mempunyai kekhasan tersendiri, baik dari cita rasa makanan yang dihidangkan, maupun nilai historis yang dikandung di tempat tersebut. Menelusuri tempat jajan di Kota Magelang, ada yang khusus buka disiang hari dan malam hari.
Taman Kyai Langgeng: Taman Kyai Langgeng terletak di Kota Magelang, Jawa Tengah, tepatnya di Jalan Cempaka. Merupakan satu-satunya taman di Kota Magelang dengan luas seluruhnya meliputi 28 hektar, letaknya sekitar 1 kilometer dari pusat kota ke arah selatan. Taman wisata ini memiliki ratusan koleksi tanaman langka yang bisa dimanfaatkan sebagai obyek penelitian, patung-patung Dinosaurus dalam ukuran asli, aneka fasilitas permainan, serta yang terbaru adalah prototipe pesawat terbang. Obyek wisata ini terletak sekitar 19 Kilometer dari Candi Borobudur, 35 kilometer dari Kopeng atau 50 Kilometer dari Candi Pramabanan dan 42 kilometer dari Monumen Jogja Kembali. Di Taman Kyai Langgeng, khususnya pada hari libur anda akan disuguhi dengan berbagai atraksi kesenian daerah maupun musik, selain arena permainan untuk anak-anak dan keluarga
Pecinan atau Jl. Pemuda & Pusat belanja: Jalan Pemuda atau yang lebih dikenal dengan nama Pecinan sering disebut Malioboro-nya Magelang. Pecinan ini merupakan pusat perbelanjaan sekaligus bisnis yang ada di Kota Magelang. Di sisi kiri dan kanan jalan sepanjang 1,5 kilometer ini berdiri banyak toko dan minimarket serta restoran. Pecinan terdiri atas 2 ruas jalan. Ruas pertama adalah ruas jalan untuk kendaraan bermotor yang merupakan ruas jalan satu arah. Sedangkan satunya lagi merupakan jalan khusus untuk becak.

Harga | Tarif Hotel Grand Dafam Yogyakarta

2011-10-11T15:57:00.000+07:00

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Grand Dafam Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta adalah "Daerah Istimewa" dimana tradisi dan modern dinamika terjadi bersama-sama terus-menerus. Di kota ini, ada sebuah istana yang memiliki ratusan pelayan setia menjalankan tradisi, universitas paling bergengsi di Asia Tenggara, dan Malioboro, pasar tradisional dan pusat kerajinan.

Harga | Tarif Hotel Santika Premiere Yogyakarta

2011-10-11T15:54:00.001+07:00

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Santika Premiere Yogyakarta
Santika Premiere Yogyakarta berlokasi di jantung kota Yogyakarta dan hanya beberapa menit dari jalan Malioboro yang terkenal dan Sultan Keraton Yogyakarta. dari hotel Santika Premiere Yogyakarta hanya 15 menit dari bandara dan lima menit ke stasion kereta api Tugu.

Untuk mencapai pusat-pusat kebudayaan, pendidikan, belanja bisnis, dan hiburan Anda bisa berjalan, naik becak atau naik taksi dari Santika Premiere Yogyakarta. Santika Premiere Yogyakarta adalah cocok untuk liburan dan perjalanan bisnis, hotel ini menawarkan akomodasi yang nyaman dan rekreasi,

Santika Premiere Yogyakarta Room & Suites

Santika Premiere Jogja hotel yang memiliki kamar suite yang luas dan didekorasi dengan gaya klasik modern untuk memastikan kemudahan dan kesejahteraan. Pandangan dari jendela kamar Anda adalah kolam renang mengundang, lampu-lampu kota yang terang atau Gunung megah, Merapi. Santika Premiere Hotel di Yogyakarta memiliki total 148 kamar tamu memberikan Anda pilihan kamar yang luas. Untuk kenyamanan yang lebih luas, pilih salah satu dari suite kami.

Tidak peduli type kamar hotel yang Anda pilih di Santika Premiere Hotel Yogyakarta, Anda akan menemukan fasilitas lengkap dan sentuhan kecil yang akan mengarah ke perhotelan tradisional Jawa.

Harga | Tarif Hotel Jayakarta Yogyakarta (hikari Travel)

2011-10-11T15:49:00.000+07:00

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Hotel Jayakarta Yogyakarta
Memasuki area hotel The Jayakarta Yogyakarta, anda akan disapa ramah oleh staf hotel dan membantu menyediakan Anda perhotelan khas Jawa

Hotel Jayakarta Yogyakarta menawarkan 129 kamar hotel dan suite, termasuk type kamar Junior Suite & Jayakarta Suite, yang memiliki balkon pribadi, ruang tamu dengan sofa tempat tidur dan dapur dengan microwave. Semua kamar di Hotel Jayakarta Yogyakarta dilengkapi dengan IDD telepon, radio, mini-bar, AC, pengering rambut, kunci elektronik, remote TV televisi kabel dikendalikan menampilkan & film dalam kamar dan teh / kopi membuat fasilitas.

Kamar mandi datang dalam bak mandi dan kombinasi dengan fasilitas penuh. Beberapa kamar juga memiliki kamar dalam kotak safe deposit. Tempat tidur bayi tersedia untuk keluarga berdasarkan permintaan.

Aston Paramount Serpong- Hotels -Indonesia Travel Online

2011-05-18T10:04:00.001+07:00

Novotel Semarang presenting unique culinary Ancient Rome taste- Hotels -Indonesia Travel Online

2011-05-17T18:25:00.000+07:00

Novotel Semarang presenting unique culinary Ancient Rome taste- Hotels -Indonesia Travel Online: "Novotel Semarang - There a term 'You are what you eat'. Adigium this will be correct when you see the ancient Roman cuisine. During of May 2011 Hotel Novotel Semarang presenting and introducing unique culinary tastes Ancient Rome Ancient Rome named Promo at Citrus Restaurant & Lounge.

Novotel Hotel Semarang is located in the town centre of Semaran g and within easy access to the airport and train station. The famous shopping centre Simpang Lima is only a few minutes away by becak, the traditional vehicle. The Novotel Hotel Semarang is located at the central of Semarang activities.

Novotel Hotel Semarang offering the comfortable room with categories ranging from Executive room, Superior room, Suite and Standard room. All room in Novotel Semarang is coveniently fitted by Audible smoke alarms, Airconditioning, Satellite/cable colour TV, Sprinkler in room, Safe deposit box in room, WiFi wireless Internet access, 220/240 V AC, Minibar, Security peephole, bathup and hair dryer in bathroom.

Novotel Hotel Semarang Bar & Resto offer service from breakfast to lunch, dinner or a tasty little snack, Novotel provides balanced choices and à la carte service 24/7 at all its hotels.At Novotel, you can count on enjoying a relaxing meal in a friendly, stylish setting"

Grand Quality Yogyakarta, hotel occupancy saved by MICE

2011-05-07T08:46:00.000+07:00

In the past two months, the visit rate for hotels in Jogjakarta experienced nadir point. Luckily, this condition is a little bit helped the meetings, incentive, convention and exhibition alias MICE. However, the average occupancy rate of hotels was still below 50 percent.

Assistant Public Relations Manager Grand Quality Hotel Yogyakarta Tri Sutami said, hotel occupancy rates are always unstable.

"Sometimes good, sometimes below the average occupancy rate. Yogyakarta Grand Quality For the average hotel occupancy is only about 50 percent (March), "said Tri Sutami.

guests who visit is still dominated by domestic visitors. The comparison is 20: 80 where 20 percent to 80 percent of foreign visitors and domestic visitors.

"Fortunately, when low seasion currently helped by the existence of MICE, so the hotel revenues also better," she said.
MICE programs utilize the facility rooms and other facilities. Starting from food, meeting room to another. "Old MICE programs also vary, depending on the time of activities in which average between 1 to 3 days," she said.

Separately, Public Relations Manager of The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta Wiwied A Widyastuti said, while low levels of occupational seasion at his hotel is still above 50 percent.
"the saver is the MICE or group meetings. Hotel occupancy rate automatically increases, though only a certain time, "he said.

Moments like this, go Wiwied, usually used by management to perform various activities. Such as training for employees, improvement of the hotel grounds to support the service or sevice and various other activities.
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Hotels in Solo Toward Solo Batik Carnival on the Next June

2011-05-07T08:33:00.001+07:00

Towards the Solo Batik Carnival event (SBC) in June, a number of hotels began to compile a package tour. Not only that, they also expressed readiness to establish a special stage for VIP guests.

Establishment of the stage itself is an answer to the request of the Surakarta mayor Joko Widodo for hotels also graced the cultural agenda in Solo. Through the Office of Culture and Tourism (Disbudpar)

"The hotel or tourism stakeholders are free to set up the stage along the route SBC in Jalan Slamet Riyadi. The stage can be sold to anyone, especially guests who are staying at the hotel," said Purnomo Subagyo Disbudpar Head when found on Thursday (5 / 5).

Public Relations Manager Best Western Dyah Listyarini expressed its readiness to build the stage. However, the plan is still matured whether to build the stage on their own or accept an offer from SBC committee.

"Obviously we've made a package tour on the SBC later. For example, combined with a tour bus tours, golden carriage, or train Jaladara," said he who had pocketed booked the hotel from a guest on D-day SBC.

Readiness to establish the stage also delivered public relations and MICE Coordinator Ika Florence. It will establish a platform that is placed on Novotel Solo and Ibis complex that can directly see the carnival in the street.

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - Modern Hotel with a Classical Touch

2010-07-28T13:03:00.000+07:00

Classic aura directly ambushed when stepped into the area of The Phoenix Hotel, Yogyakarta. The atmosphere is able to bring to the early 1900s. Colonial-style hotel building was completely enriched with Javanese and Chinese-style decorations. Although it is very thick with the feel of a classic, yet contemporary comforts also
remain awake in a hotel located in the heart of Yogyakarta city, not far from Jalan Malioboro, Yogyakarta Sultanate and the Palace. Hotel building on this in 1918 became a private house Mr. Huey Eng Djoen These include historically valuable buildings.

There should be appreciated that from The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta is not done a lot of other hotels, which provide a special room for the disabled. And, the hotel offers 144 elegant rooms, including 10 suites. All rooms, each with a balcony overlooking the streets of urban or pool.

Meanwhile, guest comfort remains a high priority, modern facilities like satellite TV, IDD phone's WiFi connection and can be enjoyed by guests in all room types. Room type luxury suites, providing a relaxing atmosphere with comfortable bedrooms and spacious bathroom.

Incomplete without a mention of a hotel describing the food menu. Indonesian cuisine and international dishes presented at Paprika Restaurant with open kitchen concept, so the attraction of a reliable cook can be seen.

The existence of The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta is a collection of second and Resorts in Asia, after the introduction of VIE Hotels in Bangkok some time ago. Resorts as the label's newest hotel Accor has been present in Indonesia, it was marked dilakukannnya repositioning Grand Mercure Yogyakarta became The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta, as known today.

Resorts is a collection of hotels with unique and different from each other. Each hotel in the collection and Resorts have their own characteristics and divided into four categories: vision, Design, History or Location. The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta has been selected to join and Resorts for the hotel building has a tremendous history, and in 19 hotels and Resorts are spread across five continents.

"I am very pleased to welcome the presence and Resorts to Indonesia, with the transformation of Grand Mercure Yogyakarta became The Phoenix Hotel, Yogyakarta. This historic hotel has a distinctive and unique services of all employees. It can be seen with the use of Javanese culture in the everyday activities of the hotel, "said Gerard Guillouet, vice president of Accor Malaysia - Indonesia - Singapore's.

Visit Yogyakarta, please enjoy the aura of classic The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta

Ibis Malioboro - Near Yogyakarta activity

2010-07-21T23:32:00.001+07:00

Yogyakarta City can not be separated from Maliboro, the city center where shopping, art and life activity yogyakarta can we see here. On the afternoon along the Malioboro street full of traders and buyers, this location at night into a distinctive culinary yogya
Ibis Malioboro Yogyakarta is located in the central business district of Yogyakarta, 10 kilometres from the airport, just 300 metres from the railway station and just a step distance to Malioboro. so this is suitable for tourist hotels WHO need to explore the whole day Malioboro activities.

The Hotel Ibis Malioboro features 148 rooms and amenities and facilitated with two restaurants, two bars, a fitness center and a swimming pool. Also this hotel is near with Major tourist attractions in Yogyakarta, including the Sultans Palace, Water Castle and Sonobudoyo Museum are only a short walk from the hotel.

Malioboro, just Ibis Malioboro

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Gayam Community Back to invent Gamelan Festival

2010-07-18T15:15:00.003+07:00

Gayam Community will held in Yogyakarta Gamelan Festival in July 2010 at 16-18 followed by a number of artists and gamelan lovers from 34 countries.

According to General Manager of Community Gayam 16 Setyaji Dewanto, in Yogyakarta, Tuesday (13 / 7), "Yogyakarta Gamelan Festival" to-15 that carries the theme 'Gamelan Anytime' will be held at Taman Budaya Yogyakarta (TBY).

Setyaji said Yogyakarta Gamelan Festival 2010 musical inspired by the popularity of specific types of inflatable South Africa, vuvuzela during World Cup 2010 soccer championships took place.

"If the South Africans managed to lift vuvuzela to the international arena, what about Indonesia?," He said.

He also added, Yogyakarta Gamelan Festival departing from caring for the gamelan as a musical instrument made familiar throughout the world.

"One of the typical Indonesian musical instrument containing a high philosophical value is the gamelan. We believe our goal will be achieved," he said.

According Setyaji, the orchestra must be able to adapt with the times. "The development of gamelan over time Yogyakarta Gamelan Festival positive response by participants over the years," he said ..

One of the participants are able to adapt well to the gamelan, according to Rene Lysloff he is from California, USA. "Gamelan is played, combined with electronic music" he said.

Yogyakarta Gamelan Festival itself is an annual event organized by the Community Gayam 16 and TBY.

Yogyakarta Gamelan Festival was first held in 1995 which pioneered the late Sapto Raharjo. In 2010 a second festival without the presence of Sapto Raharjo, who died in 2009.

Quality Grand Hotel Yogyakarta - Yogyakarta City Enjoying Another Angle

2010-07-15T22:08:00.001+07:00

Given the famous tourist attraction such as Borobudur, Prambanan, exact figures could not be separated from the historic city of Yogyakarta. The town is also famous for its rich cultural heritage of this, always have been a target of the tourists from various parts of the world. Leisure accommodation becomes the one thing that can not be ignored, for the sake of providing exciting experiences for there.Location not far from the famous tourist attraction makes it easy for guests to reach the tourist objects. Grand Quality Hotel Yogyakarta, one that can provide ease of it. From this four-star hotel, just five minutes drive from Adisucipto Airport, and only about 15 km to get to Prambanan Temple. If you want to Kaliurang, just need to travel 20 km. In short, it is not difficult to achieve fame and a few other interesting places, if we choose the hotel which is located at Jalan this Adisucipto.

If you want to downtown, such as the Malioboro, it only takes about 20 minutes. And if you want to Borobudur Temple, distance is no more than 45 km. Shuttle bus facilities are also available, for the convenience of guests from and to airport or Tugu Railway Station which only takes 20 minutes.

The hotel officially changed its name to Grand Quality Hotel Yogyakarta on 1 April 2008, has 191 rooms wide enough. Also equipped with various facilities, to meet the needs of the guests either for business or leisure. With eight-storey hotel is managed by the management of PT Graha (Griya Asri Hidup Abadi) is providing many facilities. Like, conference (convention) with a capacity of 15-350 people, two open gazebo, Kalasan Ballroom with a capacity of 500 persons, three restaurants with food choices ranging from Japanese cuisine, Chinese, Indonesian, Asia and Europe.

Neo The Pub presents live music every night also will accompany the guests while enjoying a variety of drinks, while playing billiards. And for matters of fitness, such as fitness facilities, outdoor swimming pool, sauna, massage and spa, available for guests who want it.

For ease of business, of course, hot-spot facility which is accessible in every room and all hotel areas such as lobbies, restaurants, swimming pool and meeting room, increasingly expected to facilitate all business activities of guests. Grand Quality Hotel Yogyakarta also offers a variety of other exclusive package, ie wedding, graduation, birthday party or other special events

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Yogyakarta paradise for the 'Backpackers'

2010-07-14T15:38:00.000+07:00

Yogyakarta is a paradise for backpackers, adventure seekers of freedom and new experiences at low cost. Prima versatile facility is not the main hope of the traveler who is identical with the bag on the back of this. Number of adventures and new experiences is their travel destination.

Traveling to Yogyakarta only guidebook will lead to the two regions backpackers backpackers who had a worldwide namely Kampung Prawirotaman and Sosrowijayan. These two locations provide cheap lodgings complete with bars and cafes, the international mood is relatively inexpensive price.

Anthony Fine (22), travelers origin Sydney, Australia, the last few years often go back and forth to various areas in Indonesia, said, Yogyakarta, became one of the favorite areas to visit.

At this time, he was taking a brief study of Indonesian literature at the University of Gadjah Mada. However, the study was the recognition is not the main reason. "My main intention here is more to enjoy new experiences and have fun. Of course the cheap," he said when met was relaxing in one of the cafes in Sosrowijayan, Wednesday (06/16/2010) night.

By holding the bag on his back like a backpackers, Fine travel to various regions in Indonesia. In addition to rural areas in Bali and Lombok, he had to Pacitan, Pelabuhan Ratu, and some areas berpantai to satisfy his desire to surf. "In the near future, I want to Sumatra, such as Nias and Aceh," he said.

Not cured

Countless experiences gained while traveling. Starting from the fun to be a victim of crime. But the most memorable experience was when travel to the villages and meet local people with hospitality. "I do not give up and want to keep coming back to Indonesia," he said.

Prawirotaman addition, Sosrowijayan area is also becoming a haven for backpackers. Hotels, guest houses, homestay, homestay in this area offer a very cheap price and even the lens of the holders of rupiah.

Imagine, staying at the hotel only one set of Rp 40,000 per day. This super low rates so coveted foreign tourists barely adequate capital. The facility is very simple, such as without air conditioning and television has been accepted as a consequence of the main objectives they seek adventure and new experiences.

"I really like it here, the tariff is very cheap," said Mark Baughten (20), Canadian travelers a four-day stay in Sosrowijayan. Mark came to Yogyakarta after a few days trip in Bali.

Mark knows the area and recommendations from the internet Sosrowijayan fellow backpackers who had met in Bali. He also decided to find cheap lodging in addition Sosrowijayan also because its position in the city center and very close to Malioboro. "I am also in Malioboro street just looking at the activities of local communities," said Mark who claimed to have stopped in 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia.

Tazbir from Yogyakarta Head of Tourism Department said the area had Sosrowijayan Prawirotaman and world-renowned for incoming international tourist guide books and recommended backpackers. Although not accounted for a large tourism income, backpackers potential target for a broad network of their peers.

"They fit in Yogyakarta because they are inexpensive and can be in direct contact with the locality," said Tazbir

Solo Paragon Hotel and Residence Operates August 2010

2010-07-14T14:08:00.003+07:00

Paragon Hotel Solo in Solo, Central Java, began operations in August. Four star hotel located in Jalan Dr. Soetomo, Solo City, will be managed by Tauzia Hotel Management. During this Tauzia known manage Hotel Harris.

Location Solo Paragon Hotel near Jalan Slamet Riyadi, the main street of Solo which is identical with cultural attractions and tourism activities along the road. ?

"Solo Paragon Hotel & Residences is a modern accommodation combined with a strong character of the city of Solo with tradisonalnya culture," said Hengky Tambayong, General Manager of Paragon Hotel & Residences Solo.

The hotel has 237 rooms, including 31 suites, a lounge with live music, an international restaurant and bar, four meeting rooms, and the main ballroom that can be a capacity of 1,500 people, service spa and fitness center with three on three basketball courts. Furthermore this hotel has a resort-style swimming pool and Nemo Kid's Club for children.? All the rooms are equipped with LCD TVs, air conditioning, mini bar, coffee and tea facilities, safe deposit box, free internet access.

There was no vacant hotel in Yogya

2010-07-14T13:39:00.002+07:00

On school vacations or long holiday last year, hotel occupancy levels in Yogyakarta only reached 70 percent. However, on vacation this year that coincide with events, conferences Muhamadiyah One Century, the hotel occupancy rate reached 95 percent.

"Even right now the Muhammadiyah organization of conferences, on July 2 to July 8, 2010, certain hotel rooms full," said Chairman of the Tourism Promotion Agency of Yogyakarta, Deddy Pranowo, Tuesday (29 / 6).

Because of the presence of conference participants and cheerleaders who number in the hundreds of thousands of people, some main roads in the City of Gudeg it is feared traffic. Therefore, tourists should take advantage of the traditional mode of transportation.

"Parties advised hotel guests to enjoy a pedicab tour of Yogyakarta city use or carriage. At the conference, the vehicle must be filled the streets of Yogyakarta," Deddy said later.

Some customers jammed roads, among others seputaran Malioboro, Jalan Sudirman, Jalan Mataram, Jalan Kusumanegara, and Road Laksda Adisutjipto. The tourists were asked to park their vehicles in the hotel lodging and transportation utilizing traditional.

"Most hotels have been working with pedicab manager and carriage tours. Even with the community onthel bicycles for transportation. It must be more comfortable than a taxable loss," said Deddy further.

Tourist map
To anticipate the invade of guests Hotel, Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) DIY, Istidjab M Danunagoro also suggests, the managers of the hotel room to add capacity. "If an ordinary day filled with 2-3 people, then it could be raised to 5-6 people although the risk is slightly less comfortable room," he said. Number of star class hotels in Yogyakarta today there are 38 hotels listed. Hotel jasmine number around 1100 hotels. Total rooms available around 4000 rooms.

Makes its owner more comfortable and add to the length of stay of tourists, the Tourism Office also distributed 20 000 sheets DIY tourist map. It includes a road map in Yogyakarta, which should be avoided when crowded tourists. Map it easier for tourists who have not memorized the street in Jogjakarta

Kraton Surakarta look dull

2010-07-14T10:22:00.000+07:00

Tourists want to repair the Palace Kasunanan Surakarta, Central Java, in order to enhance its appeal, but does not eliminate the importance of preserving the cultural history of the nation. "There should be improvements to the building to make it look luxurious palace but did not leave the elements of history," said a tourist who comes from Blora regency, Haryo (45), in Solo, Monday (12/07/2010).
He said that the local palace wall paint color that was recently manicured look dull and not worry about the elements can fade ethnic Javanese culture.

Kasunanan Keraton Surakarta, he said, has been widely known to the public as a palace in the scale of old age in Java, which must continue to conserve. "And be an asset of cultural tourism," said Haryo a trip to the court with his family.

According Haryo, repair the palace to enhance the sale value of tourism over the object. "In order to have its own selling point for the palace," he said.

Translated from : http://travel.kompas.com/read/2010/07/12/08383228/Keraton.Surakarta.Terlihat.Kusam

Its Time For Yogyakarta Expand Tourism Market

2010-07-14T10:03:00.000+07:00

Yogyakarta tourism markets overseas it's time to be extended in an effort to increase the number of tourist arrivals to the area through a vigorous campaign.

"Efforts to expand the overseas tourism market becomes imperative tourism stakeholders in Yogyakarta Special Region. Moreover, the existing direct flights Singapore-Kuala Lumpur-Yogyakarta and Yogyakarta," said Chairman of Indonesian Tourism Forum Gathering of Insan (Fosipa), H Sarbini at Yogyakarta, Wednesday (14/07/2010).

According Sarbini, efforts to expand overseas tourism markets to Yogyakarta also to strengthen its position as one of the main tourist destination in Indonesia, so that Yogyakarta tourism can better known tourist.

Yogyakarta Tourism Department along with local tourism stakeholders need to intensify tourism promotion abroad by following the exhibition tour. "Besides inviting the media bureau of tourism and foreign travel to visit a tourist attraction in Yogyakarta so that tourists interested in visiting Yogyakarta," he said.

Another effort that needs to be done is to build a tourist attraction and fascination for foreign tourists visiting the Yogyakarta feel impressed and bring memories. "If they will certainly impress foreign tourists visited the tourist attraction of this area, as well as to invite friends and family," said Sarbini.

Sarbini optimistic that the number of foreign tourists visiting the area will continue to increase from year to year, but the promotion of tourism within and outside the country must digencarkan. "Promoting tourism is also an effort to revive the tourism Yogyakarta as leading tourism destinations," he said.

Although Yogyakarta has been long known as a leading tourist destinations, tourism promotion and equipment needed to attract tourists visiting the area. "Without the ongoing campaign, this area will be left even forgotten. Moreover, another tourist destination in Indonesia is also aggressively promote," he said.

Sarbini added, whose members include actors Fosipa Indonesian tourism after the Java-Bali, Sumatra and some other areas in Indonesia. The organization is based in the city of Yogyakarta. "Commitment Fosipa is to promote gatherings of world tourism with activities, workshops and exhibition tourism," he said.

2010 Tourism in Great Demand

2010-07-10T16:13:00.000+07:00

Tourism Events, titled "The Spirit of Boko 2010" held by the Cultural and Tourism Office of Sleman Regency in great demand on July 18 participants so registration will be closed on July 13.

Head of Tourism Marketing at the Department of Culture and Tourism (Disbudpar) Sleman regency, Shavitri Nurmala Goddess, Thursday (07/08/2010) says, based on the experience of previous years the participants enrolled in the closing moments of enrollment.

"Many registrant at the last days would have trouble relating to the provision of facilities committee. If the participants enrolled in the closing moments of their own so that participants will lose money because it is full," he said.

According Shavitri, last year the committee had rejected applicants because the facilities

t-shirts run out. "It is expected that the prospective participants and the public who wish to join in the activities of Exploration Tour in 2010 in order to register immediately without waiting for the deadline for closure in order to keep the facility provided the committee," he said.

He said the registration fee of Rp 30,000 per participant, or Rp 100,000 per group of four people can be made at the Cultural and Tourism Office of Sleman District, the Tourist Information Center (TIC), Jalan Malioboro, the Head Office of PT Taman Wisata Prambanan and Ratu Boko, Prambanan District and appoint ascend Motor .

"Each participant will receive a beautiful t-shirts, snacks and drinks, insurance and door prize raffle coupons, competing for prizes of two Suzuki Smash motorcycle, mountain bike, television, mobile phones, minicompo and dozens of other prizes," he said.
While for the participant teams have additional facilities such as the chance to gain a trophy and money coaching.

Shavitri say, that is no less interesting, each participant will be trekking along the tour route along the 12 kilometers in the form of a path through the garden and rice fields along the mountain area of Candi Ratu Boko and the surrounding areas with up and down the field quite challenging.

"In addition, participants can view the region as a tourist attraction Ratu Boko Temple, participants will also be able to see the beautiful scenery and several other attractions such as: Candi Barong, Dawangsari Temple, Temple Pandanrejo Banyunibo and Dam," he said

Borobudur Regions will be reorganized

2010-07-08T23:30:00.000+07:00

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko (TWC) has said it will rearrange the region through the development of Borobudur Temple renewals. The UN cultural agency, UNESCO urged to immediately TWC rearrangements because the master plan in 1975 is no longer appropriate to use the existing layout. If not immediately set, Borobudur threatened removed his status as world cultural heritage.

In a new development plan spatial harmony and environmental conservation throughout the region became the main focus. On the old master plan, only preserved temple. New arrangement includes the use of land for development jalab, access to tourist villages, airports, hotels and other tourist activities. The area is laid out around 5000 hectares.

With a new master plan, the area around Borobudur atmosphere will be changed to adjust its image as Borobudur was built. "We will build the image of environmentally friendly tourist village," said commissioners President TWC SD Darmono after submission of a Master Plan of the Ministry for State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Jakarta, Wednesday (3 / 3).

Darmono states not yet know exactly how pendanaa needed for subsequent construction (engineering plans). "When making a master plannya need USD 400-500 million," said Darmono.

Darmono adding the funding will be divided based on the authority. Government responsible for the development of infrastructure. The government is still divided into the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry concerned, the Government of the Province of Central Java, Magelang regency government, and Angkasa Pura. Private sector to build its tourism business.

Attention should be built is Magelang to Blondo street widening along 50 km, along the airport runway extension of 500 m, and expanding access to tourist villages along the 10 km.

This rearrangement has the potential relocation of some residents to other places. "If there will be people who have relocated, there would be reasonable compensation," said Darmono

Introducing Batik Kebon, from ruins house to the Exhibitions

2010-07-07T19:36:00.000+07:00

Kebon village in Klaten district which became the village worst hit by an earthquake in 2006 ago, is now getting better. Improvement of economic sectors which is aimed at making of batik as well as agricultural production of rice and vegetables which become economic drivers of society.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) participate in the economy contributed to increasing citizen. IOM provides assistance to 169 batik artisans all women who work in groups and sells its products in the home sale together.

"Batik Kebon have good prospects and potential to be popular because our product is unique and a good motive," said Dalmini, a housewife who opens the batik business, Thursday (27 / 5). Dalmini themselves when an earthquake had to stay in tents for three months.

Kebon Batik is a very natural process of manufacture
The craftsmen make batik in the traditional way, using natural materials from the surrounding environment.

Dalmini admitted, the IOM facility also includes training in marketing and involve a number of exhibitions and conducting tours of foreign tourists to the IOM facilitated the selling houses.

According to initial provision of facilities woven into the family of economic revival. He believes if the self-reliant and not dependent on middlemen pendapatanya akab tripled. "If it were not for my product IOM probably unknown in other provinces and foreign countries," he concluded.

Surakarta Hotels Preparing Raise Hotel Rates

2010-07-07T17:58:00.002+07:00

Hotels in Surakarta, central counting to raise hotel room rates. The new tariff comes into effect if the government imposed the basic electricity tariff increase. "The increase in electric base rates will increase operating expenses," said Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association Soebandono Surakarta.

According Soebandono, electrical energy needs for the hospitality industry is big enough. In addition to lighting, electricity demand is also large enough for building up to meeting the air-conditioner. According to him, the basic electricity rate increase plan is a severe blow to entrepreneurs.

He also believed the prevailing hotel room rate is currently not possible to cover the cost of production if the electricity tariff increases. "We'll be forced to follow," said Subandono. Because profit margins in Surakarta hotelier very thin because of tight competition.

He also regretted the planned increase in electricity tariffs will be done by the government in mid-year. Most hotel owners have annual contracts with several agencies and travel agents to issue fare. "Prices could be raised for their new next year," said Soebandono. Forced, hotelier will lose money until the end of the year.

In fact, most hotel guests actually comes from travel agents and agencies that routinely conduct activities at the hotel. He hoped the government could delay the increase in electric base rates until the end of next year. "So that we can prepare for the 2011 contract price," said Soebandono.

He admitted that he would not yet have figures on the amount of tariff increase. "Waiting for the certainty of the increase in electricity tariff," he said. But he insisted if the percentage increase in hotel room rates equivalent to the percentage increase in electricity tariff.

While the National Economic Development Regional Advisor fur Technische Zusammenarbeit Deutsche Gesellcshaft (GTZ) in Surakarta, Hidayatullah Al Banjari justify if the basic electricity tariff increase would hit the hotelier. He estimated the community would reduce the budget for the tour due to the increased living expenses.

Hotelier steps to increase the tariff to be the only solution even though the potential to reduce the hotel occupancy rate. â € œPemerintah should provide compensation, â €? Hidayatullah said. Such compensation can be a tourism promotion budget is quite frequent.

He also asked the hotel entrepreneurs to start thinking about the concept of energy saving. "Some hotels have started using light lamps for lighting emiting deoda," he said. Besides air circulation design is also quite important to reduce the use of air conditioners that consume a lot of electrical energy.

Electricity Tariff Increases, Budget Hotels Get Rates Rise

2010-07-07T17:54:00.002+07:00

The managers of hotels in Yogyakarta will not raise the room rates if the increase in electric base rates apply from 1 July. Because the hotel was still under contract with travel agents and tourism agencies, both domestic and foreign.

"Star-class hotels have contracts with the managers of travel agents and travel agent until the end of the year so that hotel managers can not raise tariffs unilaterally," said Dedy Eryono Pranowo, Secretary of the Association of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI) Special Region of Yogyakarta, Thursday (17 / 6).

Increase in electricity tariff over 900 watts to 18 percent automatically add the cost of hotel operations. So that inevitably the managers must be clever-clever financial management. To anticipate higher losses, the hotel may only raise tariffs on certain days such as New Year a national holiday and is not bound by the contract.

According to him, due to the increase in electricity tariff is the most feel the impact is jasmine-class hotel. For the hotel operating costs reached 60 percent of overall costs. Jasmine hotels certainly would raise rental rates between 10-15 percent. "If rates rise, the risk is definitely a lot of guests who complain," he said.

Deddy also propose to the local government to intensify promotion of tourism in Yogyakarta so that tourists visit to Yogyakarta will be increased further. We increased tourist visits, hotel occupancy will automatically rise.

Ipung Purwandari, jasmine Permata class hotel owner, said the plan to increase electricity tariffs would make it would raise room rates by 10 percent. "For the common room we will certainly raise the fare, but for a regular customer we will give discounts," said Ipung.

According to him, every month it must spend an average of Rp 5 million per month to pay for electricity. If rates are not raised then the hotel will experience large losses

Translated from : http://www.tempointeraktif.com/hg/bisnis/2010/06/17/brk,20100617-256184,id.html

Diverse culture, Why not many tourist?

2010-07-05T23:12:00.000+07:00

Cultural treasures and heritage of Indonesia is very diverse and high-value, has yet to become tourist objects that can suck the tourists, especially foreign countries to Indonesia.

"This happened because the management of cultural treasures and heritage in general is still limited to the aspects of preservation, and has barely touched the aspect of utilization for the benefit of tourism," said Head of Resources Development Agency of Culture and Tourism Ministry of Culture and Tourism (the ministry), I Gusti Putu interrupted Laksaguna between ASEAN Workshop on Cultural Heritage Tourism in Solo, Thursday (06/17/2010).

"The infrastructure is not adequate support, such as the Prambanan temple is one of the world heritage but inadequate support facilities such as the presence of toilets and so forth," he said.

Not maximum facilities and infrastructure such as the government is currently more focused on conservation and not to the improvement of facilities and infrastructure.

"The potential in Indonesia is very large when compared with Singapore, there does not have a natural cultural heritage tourism, but they can market better than Indonesia," he said.

Meanwhile, ASEAN workshop on cultural heritage tourism, which was held in Solo City is the second time after previously held was held in Yogyakarta.

Workshop on ASEAN level is a follow-up of the ASEAN Tourism Forum held in Brunei Darussalam in January 2010. In the forum agreed on several matters related to cooperation in the fields of tourism and Indonesia was appointed as an organizer for the field of heritage.

"ASEAN countries is very suitable for developing heritage tourism because of its history, architecture, archeology, culture is unique, and tourists come because of the uniqueness of it. A total of 14 cultural assets in Southeast Asia have been listed in World Cultural Heritage in January 2010," he said .

The workshop was attended by delegates from five of the 10 ASEAN member countries are expected to increase knowledge for the management of cultural heritage in the countries of ASEAN and build cooperation in the management of cultural heritage tourism.

"We learn from the countries in ASEAN, as one delegate told the judge that Borobudur is one of the world heritage in Indonesia, but the facilities and infrastructure does not support, Object already good but not supported by other means," he said

Malioboro tidying Welcomes Tourists

2010-07-03T10:17:00.002+07:00

Shopping area of Malioboro, Yogyakarta, improve itself ahead of the holiday season is June to August. Various complaints of tourists such as parking, busker, cleanliness, and promised food prices will be corrected.
Head of Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) Malioboro, Purwanto said it has designed a variety of preparations to welcome the tourists on this holiday season. Number of tourists on this holiday season are expected to increase due in early July will also host the Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah Congress that suck a lot of guests.

Malioboro special preparations include replacing and repairing 130 trash cans, put up a map at the park parking Malioboro information specifically, Abu Bakr Ali, placement of two portable toilet units at Kilometer Zero point, and the installation of radio call at 40 points along Malioboro.

"Radio call announcing that serves a variety of information to tourists, including if there is a lost or separated from the group or members of his family," said Purwanto, Wednesday (09/06/2010).

If there are people and tourists who feel harmed act park interpreters, traders, and other matters including service hook in Malioboro, Purwanto proactive asked residents to report it to the office of UPT Malioboro in order to be followed up immediately. Complaints are also received via the hotline 0274-555467 are ready 24 hours a day.

"We have also been coordinating with the sector to establish three police posts in three-point safety in Malioboro. Society can also be reported to it," said Purwanto.

Chairman of the Society of Merchant lesehan Malioboro Sukidi said his company also has devised a plan to implement standardization of the vendors selling price. List price menu will be installed in each stall with the inclusion of maximum and minimum prices.

"Currently, we are still surveying the prices of raw materials in order to establish the standardization," said Sukidi. Traders lesehan Malioboro is one that is often complained by tourists because of some unscrupulous traders often mengemplang prices to consumers.

If it has been set, the standardization of prices that must be obeyed by all 50 member associations lesehan. For offenders, Sukidi said, would be punished sternly.

"In the last New Year holiday, there is one trader who violated and sanctions can not sell one week," he said

Dragon Boat Festival in Yogyakarta

2010-07-03T10:14:00.000+07:00

Tourism Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) in cooperation with the Cultural and Tourism Department in Bantul district and Yogyakarta Tionghoa Dragon Boat Festival will be held at Weir Tegal, Canden, Jetis Bantul, June 13, 2010.
"Dragon Boat Festival celebration was held to welcome the Peh Cun, and activities that will last a day, starting at 8:00 pm until around 16:00 pm," said Tourism Office Province of DIY PR, Nurhidayat, in Yogyakarta, Thursday (06/10/2010).

According Nurhidayat, Dragon Boat Festival 2010 plan will be followed by the 20 team sports

DIY oars, and enlivened with exhibition rowing boat from outside Yogyakarta, slalom boat, and the art of lion dance in the dragon boat.

"Dragon Boat Festival is a series of activities beginning in 2010 the peak Pehcun celebration will be held at Parangtritis, Bantul District on June 16, 2010," said Nurhidayat.

He said the celebration by holding a dragon boat festival is one Tionghoa culture in Indonesia which is still preserved as cultural assets and tourism.

Location 2010 Dragon Boat Festival on Tour Tirta, Weir Tegal, according to him, because the consideration for this place is a tourist attraction of superior water Bantul regency.

The dam is located in a tourist village Kebonagung, Kecamata Jetis which now has a tourist lodge, so that tourists can stay in the village. "The festival is expected to turn Kebonagung Tourist Village, as well as introducing the village a tourist destination," said Nurhidayat.

Spectacular Lighting in Taaruf Night in Yogyakarta

2010-07-03T09:03:00.000+07:00

Arts performances at the Century One Night Taaruf Muhammadiyah Congress to be held in Yogyakarta use Mandala Krida Stadium lighting spectacular.

"We use high-tech lighting systems so as to produce a spectacular show, especially during dance performances Didik Nini Thowok colossal landing," said Chairman of the Committee of Congress A Century Muhamamdiyah Recipient Zudianto in Yogyakarta Herry, Friday.

He states, these dancers will be using the lights on their costumes, were maestros of dance, Didik Nini Thowok who also appeared in a colossal dance performances will be using the costumes from the glass.

"Educate Nini Thowok in the middle of the dancers will be illuminated by light, so the clothes she was wearing glass will reflect light throughout the audience. The game is very good light," he said.

He states, the dance symbolizes the readiness of Indonesia's oldest Islamic organsisasi to enter the second century.

In addition to the colossal dance, the night will also be displayed taaruf "thriller" film which tells the struggle of the Enlightenment Kyai Haji Ahmad Dahlan to establish the Muhammadiyah, as well as appearances Taufik Ismail, Kyai Kanjeng who collaborated with the orchestra Dwiki Darmawan and fireworks as well as closing the series of events .

Taaruf night event will begin at 19:30 pm until around 22:00 pm.

Meanwhile, referring to the readiness of the opening ceremony of Muhammadiyah Congress A Century in particular for the connection "video conference" with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Hotel Oberoi Medina, Herry said the satellite connection is good.

"In experiments conducted, the audio and video connections are very clear. It is expected that, during the opening day, also good connections," he said.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will open the Conference A Decade Muhammadiyah via video conference which is planned to begin at 9:58 pm or 5:58 time Medina and will end when the president left the place of execution of the show in Medina.

"He will give a long speech, about 30 minutes. Total opening ceremony is about 110 minutes," he said.

He stated that the committee has provided a five-screen tech "light emitting diode" (LED) to support the opening ceremony, four of which are in the Mandala Krida Stadium and the rest are outside the stadium.

Translated from : http://oase.kompas.com/read/2010/07/03/0416576/Tata.Lampu.Spektakuler.di.Malam.Taaruf-3

"Where Fun Together Watch 2010 World Cup." in Hotel Horison Semarang

2010-07-01T20:43:00.002+07:00

World Cup 2010 in South Africa will begin in two days. The splendor of the most popular sports event in the entire world's people will also explore the city of Semarang, Central Java. The hotels in Semarang also welcomed the four-yearly sports event with a variety of ways.

At the Hotel Horison Semarang, for example, the event will be held: "Where Fun Together Watch 2010 World Cup." This event is a watch with the opening World Cup match in 2010 which will present the inaugural South African host versus Mexico. The event on Friday (11/06) at 19:00 in La Luna restaurant Western & Garden, Fl. E-1 Horison Semarang.

This will be interspersed with my movies with some action, such as live music, games, and the division doorprizes. For each visitor subjected HTM Rp 35 thousand nett / pax include first drink

Pedicab drivers will be trained English

2010-06-30T21:48:00.000+07:00

In an effort to improve services to any foreign tourists who come, the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) in Surakarta in the near future will hold English training for rickshaw drivers. The training sessions were devoted to the rickshaw driver who had been hung around the hotels.

Board of Trustees ASITA Surakarta Djuritno Judo Hadinagoro said training will be held this coming May. "Training in the form of face to face for a couple of times, depending on the needs and resources of their capture, by a lecturer from the college," he told reporters on Thursday (22 / 4).

The material is taught to the extent used daily conversation, such as greeting good morning, thank you, ask the purpose, and so forth. In addition to language training, pedicab drivers are also expected to master an area where he worked. "It shows the local tourist attractions or historic sites," he said. Also master the ins and outs of little places visited.

He calls this moment there are three star hotels are willing to support the plan above, which already accommodate hotel pedicab drivers who every day looking for passengers in their place. "The amount of each hotel about 50 people. But it will not directly taken everything. Could be 15-20 people in the past, "he added.

Looking ahead, hoping Djuritno English proficiency pedicab drivers can continue to increase as more and more often interact with foreign tourists. So they are not only limited to master simple conversations, but could explain a little about the places visited in the English language. "Finally they can also be a tour guide," he said.

Separately, Head of Department of Tourism, Arts and Culture Surakarta Purnomo Subagyo support such training. According to him, it was an attempt to provide the best services for foreign tourists. "If they are impressed and find it helpful, sure they will come again," he said.

Even so, he asked the English language training is not only given to the cycle rickshaw. "The whole course for tour guides. I see their English language ability is also not so good, "he suggested.

Adisucipto Airport Yogyakarta Just landed Small Aircraft

2010-06-30T21:46:00.000+07:00

Operations Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I declare Halindra Adisucipto Airport Yogyakarta Adisucipto airport is not yet representative enough to be an access to international flights. Airport infrastructure constraints.

Halindra said to be an international airport must meet several requirements. Among them was a company that will conduct direct flights to foreign countries, customs and immigration custody.

Last two conditions are available at the airport Adisucipto. While for the airlines that entered the direct route to another country is Air Asia and Malaysia Air System is a direct flight from Singapore to Malaysia and vice versa Adisucipto.

"What do route development study is the airlines, airports eligible if they will schedule flights at airports surveyed," he said.

He admitted that the airport can be landed by Adisucipto maximum 200 series aircraft. For example Boing 757 Series 200 aircraft. If the Boing 757 Series 300, the airport is still not eligible.

He added, namely Thomson flight from England to the Boing 747 Series 200 aircraft had landed at the airport Adisucipto. But the plane was chartered plane, there is no regular schedule.

Earlier, Chairman of Tourism Promotion Agency of Yogyakarta (BP2KY) Pranowo Deddy Eryono questioned transport infrastructure constraints in Yogyakarta. Among other things, infrastructure and airport terminal as the first recipient of tourists to this region.

Tourists from Europe who will be visiting Yogyakarta through the Soekarno-Hatta airport in Jakarta or Bali, I Gusti Ngurah Rai. So many do not come to Yogyakarta. Those who travel to Yogyakarta, usually only those who had planned earlier.

Deddy hoping to plan a direct flight by Garuda flight to Europe in July, the European tourists who visited Indonesia in particular to Yogyakarta will be increased. If last year reached 160 thousand foreign tourists, so this was targeted at in 2010 rose 10 percent.

translated from : http://www.tempointeraktif.com/hg/bisnis/2010/04/30/brk,20100430-244514,id.html

Local Tourism Potential of working on, Yogya Budget Rp. 2 Billion

2010-06-30T21:24:00.000+07:00

Government Tourism Office of Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) budget Rp 2 billion to develop the local tourism potential that already exists. Tourism development is focused into a few districts of Sleman, Bantul and Gunung Kidul.

"The budget was small, because many tourist sites to be repaired and package tourism products locally," said M Tazbir, Head of Tourism Department of DIY, Friday (14 / 5).

He states, in the District Gunungkidul quid cave tours will be developed because many caves in the area in which the river flows under ground. In Bantul District will be developed coastal resorts such as Parangtritis, Samas, Kuwaru, and Pandansimo. In Sleman district tourism development by reinforcing the tourist potential embung Tambakboyo, Gebang Temple and Museum Mount Merapi. Besides the potential for historical tourism such as museums, monuments and others also increased potency.

For development, the Department had prepared the planning stages. Besides also still be studied for potential decent mencari sell to the tourists, local and foreign tourists baik.

Stated that he has held talks with industry that is in 2012 will be made in cooperation with various parties to conduct joint promotions to build tourism in Yogyakarta. Targets, for local tourists as much as 2 million more, while for foreign tourists is targeted as much as 170 thousand people.

"The development of tourism in Yogyakarta was good, creative people have been very supportive. For example, starting many new attractions such as rural with the existence of village tourism, "said Tazbir.

While cultural tourism attractions in the centers of handicrafts such as traditional dance performances, jathilan and tourists traveling while learning batik wood is also very interesting. "Tourists who come to Yogyakarta not only shopping but they can also learn about the richness of culture and crafts that exist," he said.

Ddihubungi separately, Deddy Pranowo Eryono, Chairman of Tourism Promotion Board stating Yogyakarta Yogyakarta tourism promotion continues to be done either through the mass media as well as direct print and online campaign in the state tourism potential tourists who come to Yogyakarta.

Even fairly large budget, in 2010 to promote tourism in Yogyakarta alone amounted to Rp 1.4 billion. It is expected that the campaign could increase tourist visits to this cultural city. "Tourists were ready to spend money, so that the world's business tourism is also dependent on the tourists who come," said Deddy.

Translated from : http://www.tempointeraktif.com/hg/jogja/2010/05/14/brk,20100514-247786,id.html

Yogyakarta Aims for 350,000 Tourists

2010-06-07T20:19:00.000+07:00

Entrepreneurs in the tourism sector in Yogyakarta are determined to increase the number of tourists visit up to 350.000 persons in 2010.
The target was conveyed on the last day of the Jogja Travel Mart in the Sheraton Hotel, Jl. Solo, Yogyakarta, yesterday.
We are determined to sell Yogyakarta's tourism abroad to restore the number of tourists, said Dzulkarnain, Deputy Committee Head, who is also the General Manager of Ibis Hotel, Yogyakarta.

Jogja Travel Mart 2010 was attended by 20 travel agents from Singapore, 20 agents from the Netherlands, four agents from China and 30 agents from Malaysia.

The producers and buyers of Yogyakarta tourism goods are also involved, namely 49 hotels, 32 travel agents and 11 from other sectors, such as tourism site administrators, restaurants and transportation.

The number of foreign tourists in Yogyakarta reaches 350.000 persons per year.
But the amount keeps on decreasing after the Bali Bombing in 2003.
Last year, the number of visiting foreign tourists was only 160,000 persons.

To sell Yogya tourism abroad, we rely on the tourism site culture and heritage. The event is also a preparation to Yogya Visit Year 2010,Dzulkarnain added.

The Chairman of Yogyakarta Association of the Indonesia Tours and Travel, Edwin Ismedi Himna, said that Yogyakarta has the opportunity to increase the number of visitors.

The reason for this is that many Japanese and European tourists, who at first wanted to visit Thailand, went to Yogyakarta and Bali instead, because of the political turmoil there.

But Edwin criticized that the price of tickets to Yogyakarta were more expensive than direct flights from Malaysia and Singapore.

The owners of domestic airlines must evaluate the rather expensive ticket prices,he said.

Meanwhile, the Yogyakarta Head of Tourism, M. Tazbir, said that the Yogyakarta government fully supports their effort to increase tourist numbers.

We are repairing infrastructure at tourism sites,he said.

Source: http://www.tempointeractive.com/hg/nasional/2010/06/07/brk,20100607-253349,uk.html

Increasing Potential of Tourism in Yogyakarta that Touched Less

2010-06-07T20:09:00.000+07:00

Sleman Travel Agent Forum (STAFF) expected newly formed working on tourism potential in Sleman less untouched. Therefore, soon began to be mapped specifically to the particularities of tourism tourist village which could actually be sold.
"Many foreign tourists only know Yogyakarta Malioboro, Sultan Palace, Prambanan, or Borobudur. Kaliurang. Handicrafts are also only batik. Village tour, known then only a few," said Chairman STAFF Sudiyanto, Monday (31 / 5).

In the near future, STAFF confirmed May 27 and immediately met a travel agency, local government, and tour the village manager.

According Sudiyanto, many foreign tourists began to complain of crowded and saturated or Malioboro Borobudur. On the other hand, many people have complained about disappointing dish tourist villages, for example, found that the contents of different brochures with facts.

Not to mention the complaints about cleanliness. "All must be aggregated, decomposed matter, and sought a solution that satisfied tourists come to Yogyakarta and get what they want," he said.

Travel agency strategic position as a source of information on potential foreign tourists. From there, STAFF need to have a detailed picture of tourism, rural tourism, handicraft potential, or anything that can be relied upon and is offered.

According to the Head of Culture Sleman Untoro Budiharjo, travel agents have a significant role. Therefore, joining the STAFF can foster togetherness and synergy with various stakeholders and actors of tourism.

As a new organization, STAFF no match for the existing tourism organizations. However, STAFF become a forum to build the partnership so that together promote tourism Sleman. (PRA)

Go: Art capital of Java

2010-05-14T11:49:00.001+07:00

Batik, silverware, leather goods... HEIDI MUNAN visits Jogjakarta and is captivated by its many crafts

These workers are protected from inhaling dust and chemical fumes

IN Java, wearing fine batik has been the prerogative of the high and mighty for as long as anybody can remember. The best artists were employed by the courts and they had no other work but to produce masterpieces for the noble families.

In the 21st Century, connoisseurs still consider Java batik to be the world's best, and Jogjakarta, or Jogja in short, the "batik capital" of Java.

Jogja is heir to the traditions of the defunct Javanese empire Mataram, and continues to foster all the ancient arts as valuable industries batik, silver, leather, wood, ceramic, fibre crafts and related branches.

A government agency, Joga Craft, coordinates research and development, and helps cottage entrepreneurs market their wares.

"About 80 per cent of our batik is exported," says a government officer, adding that "a good proportion of it goes to renowned fashion houses the world over."

"Batik production" sounds like the work of factories. In fact, there are hundreds, probably thousands, of home or village-based batik producers.

Most employ a few dozen workers, some of whom attend to the mundane jobs such as preparing the dyes, soaking the wax, hanging out cloths to dry, etc.

Only skilled hands are entrusted with the canting (tjanting), an ingenious device that channels liquid wax in a fine stream, not unlike a fountain pen.

With this tool, the worker no, the artist draws time-honoured designs on fine cotton, or silk.

Completely hand-drawn pieces are obviously the most expensive, costing well over RM1,000, especially if they are teamed with a sash.

There's a semi-automatic method of batik-making. A cap (tjap) or brass template is used rather like a rubber stamp, except that it is dipped into hot wax instead of ink.

This device produces repetitive overall patterns. The edge of the piece may still be finished by hand.

High-end consumers turn up their noses at batik cap, they wouldn't even look at fabrics which are machine-printed with batik designs!

Only in Jogja

Tourists are not so particular. They can visit batik boutiques all over town and look at the luxury items even if they don't buy many.

Jogjakarta lies in a district of fertile farmlands, where suburbs merge into padi fields

There is a roaring trade in every kind of craft, including batik, up and down the bazaars. Get an eyeful of the famous Malioboro shopping street where everything is on offer, from cheapy-cheap to court-standard!

"Court Standard" means something in Jogja. The present Sultan is also Governor of the Special Administrative Region, and he keeps the court of his ancestors in impeccable order.

Some parts of it are accessible to tourists but don't dream of strolling through the venerable portals of the kraton in shorts and T-shirt. Long skirts or pants, please, and decent shirts or blouses!

The Palace itself is an intricate array of buildings, courts, ponds and gazebos. With a bit of imagination, we can picture the coming and going of a sultan's extensive family, numerous vassals and slaves, the noise of domestic work, music in the women's pavilion, shouting in the kitchens, restless horses clanking their harness... all that is gone, but some of the atmosphere remains.

Elderly retainers here and there act as guardians of the place, guides stand by to explain the many exhibits to visitors. A gamelan orchestra performs in an open-sided central hall, a lengthy show of wayang kulit (shadow puppets) is in progress.

More crafts

Shadow puppets are cut of parchment-like leather, brilliantly coloured, to represent the good and evil characters of ancient tales.

The puppeteer manipulates the figurines on slender rods, illuminated by a strong light that throws their moving shadows on a screen in front of the audience.

Wayang puppets and leather-work in general is another craft for which Jogjakarta is famous. Harness-makers and saddlers used to work for the royal stables, other fine leather-work was made for the court, and for those townsfolk who could afford it.

To this day, the ponies who pull andong (horse carriages) around town are sprucely harnessed and decorated. The natty carriages do more than just add a picturesque note to the town's street scene, they demonstrate its comparative safety. In Jakarta traffic, a pony would be reduced to minced meat in less than 10 minutes!

Horse furniture is embellished mainly with brass buckles, bells and spangles. In the old days some of it was silver.

Once upon a time, a whole village was employed by the court, simply to produce precious metal utensils and jewellery. This is Kota Gede at the southern fringe of the town, where every third house is either a silver workshop, or a silver showroom.

Like batik, silver comes in different quality and price ranges, and it's worked in a variety of techniques. Filigree, lace-fine flowers and ornaments made from thin silver wire, is one of the specialties of Kota Gede. Young female artisans with slender fingers seem to be particularly good at this. A few ateliers turn out repoussé work, sheets of silver foil hammered into a carved mould that gives the finished work its shape.

According to one silversmith, the "good old days" were in the 1920s and 30s, when Dutch colonial officers ordered whole tea and table services to be made to individual designs. The skill is still here but who orders a solid silver teapot, cream jug, sugar basin and hot-water jug nowadays? With a massive silver tray?

Unfortunately the price of silver has risen in the last decade so the finished products, however beautiful and artistic, cost more too. "Novelty" items like a silver figurine of a horse, a boat and the like sometimes catch the eye of a wealthy buyer, but the most popular items are jewellery, brooches and bangles and neckpieces, often matched.

It's no longer enough to be a good silversmith an artisan has to be a good businessman too, and keep a sharp eye on fashion trends.

Travel Tips

Visitors to Jogjakarta can find accommodation aplenty, from five-star hotels in town to very modest homestays in the Prawirotaman area.

A few "heritage homestays" have taken over colonial mansions, some of them beautifully adapted. It is a good idea to browse the Jogja section of www.my-indonesia.info and make a few inquiries before booking at a really cheap place.

And then, rush into the shopping fray. Malioboro Street is a good place to start. Don't forget to bargain vigorously!

Ask around for smaller, specialised markets like the one at Baringhario where locals go for spices and jamu. There's even a Bird Market at Ngasem the problem is probably how to bring your tweeting purchase back home.

Contact

Batik and silver ateliers welcome visitors. Jogja Crafts can provide their addresses. Details, call 62-274 488 560, 274 4890 219, 274 749 7005, fax 62-274 488 560 or email balai_bisnis@yahoo.com

There are daily direct flights from KL to Jogjakarta. Check flight details with Malaysia Airlines (www.malaysiaa or AirAsia (www.airasia.com)

A mistress of the art, working on an exclusive piece of batik

Source:nst.com.my

Dazzling Entertainment in Indonesia

2010-05-12T12:57:00.000+07:00

Indonesia, one of the densely populated areas of the world is really a place of attraction for travelers. Enriched with copious tourist places and exciting adventures, Indonesia is certain to deliver the joyful nature of traveling. It is this unique nature which invites people from all over the world. To spend time in Indonesia will definitely be a memorable event for travelers. Its rich source of tourism combined with nature's beauty entertains people from all over the globe. Portrayed as one of the best tourist spots, Indonesia can really be a memorable place for foreigners. Indonesia is a perfect embodiment of all the necessary qualities needed for a tourist place.

To spend a holiday with family members is really exciting. It is obvious that everyone would want to make the best use of their vacation. This can be achieved by choosing an awesome tourist spot like Indonesia. Indonesia is sure to entertain people with its enormous resources. Indonesia is a right choice for anyone who wishes to entertain themselves. It is not only entertainment which is predominant there but also shopping. With more than 17,500 islands, Indonesia is a good source of entertainment.

There are many entertaining events in Indonesia and to top all is the ballet, which holds its supreme nature above all events. Especially, the ballet in Ramayana is a highlight. It is a major event of attraction and entertainment for the past twenty years. It is good to have a ballet in Ramayana especially for the younger generation. This is really a wonderful opportunity to impart moral values to children. It is not only ballet which entertains people but also many such innovative and entertaining events that are waiting to endow long lasting memories for visitors. This includes events like gamelan music, classical dance, and shadow puppet shows. In addition to entertainment, it can also give moral values needed for life. Tourist spots like Prambanan temple, Bali, Sulawesi and Istiqlal mosque promote the popularity of the nation.

Indonesia takes utmost care to deliver its entertaining nature along with its cultural values. Whenever one goes to Indonesia, one should make sure to stay in Purawisata. It has bagged the best tourist resort award in 1990 and is renowned for its service. Yogyakarta has many entertaining places like Purawisata to entertain visitors. Indonesia is surely one of the best places for vacation. Indeed it has many such adventurous and entertaining places to visit. It is obvious that any one who visits Indonesia will be interested for a second visit.

Toned with Dance presentation that depicts the journey of human life, Dance Dedication, Sesukan Dance, Dance Reogan and Intercourse are all the specialties of Purawisata. Backed by more than 70 dancers and musicians "gamelan", Purawisata brings a complete classical ambience to its sightseer.

For more details please visit: http://www.purawisatajogja.com/

World Expo: Putting Indonesia on the map

2010-05-12T12:44:00.001+07:00

The Indonesian Pavilion attracted 20,000 visitors at the opening day on May 1.

If Phileas Fogg and Passepartout need 80 days to travel the globe in Verne's classic Around the World in 80 Days to win £20,270 (US$30,000), we need less than that and less traveling once we are inside the World Expo 2010 Shanghai, China.

Located on a 5.28-square-kilometer plot of land, the 53rd expo features dozens of pavilions from 189 participating countries after three countries withdrew from the event at the last minute as well as 50 international organizations.

China has crafted its name in world history for its success in hosting the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. This time, Shanghai with a 19.2 million population aims to create another success by hosting the five-year expo dubbed the third biggest event in the world after the Olympics and the soccer World Cup. The municipality has prepared to welcome a targeted 70 million visitors during the six-month long event.

Visitors were willing to queue for four hours especially at favorite pavilions such as China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, England and Germany amid the heat. The organizers reported that about 200,000 people flocked to the expo site for the opening on May 1.

That day, about 20,000 visitors flocked to the Indonesian pavilion.

The pavilion a 2,400-square-meter building that stands on 4,000-square-meters of land featured information about the country's rich natural resources and cultural heritage along the 700-meter ramp that allows visitors to enjoy the displays.

Balinese dance and gamelan entertained the visitors.

"It's been good to perform here," said Ni Wayan Windrati, a fifth grader from Ubud, Bali, who performed the dance to welcome Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu and Indonesian Ambassador to China Imron Cotan during the opening ceremony. Wayan practiced for nearly two months before the performance day.

The building is mostly made from bamboo. Architect Budi Lim said he wanted to create a design that represented Indonesia. "I didn't want to use traditional architecture. I realize that everyone respects nature and this is shown in the architecture. Our nation lives in harmony with nature," he said.

Budi also used bamboo because he believes it may be "the timber of the future".

Visitors take a closer look at the resin-made relief of Borobudur Temple.

Compared to other countries' pavilions, which mostly have four walls, the Indonesian pavilion is open with good air circulation. Entering the pavilion, visitors can easily spot a giant waterfall measuring 40x17 meters that features a map along a wall. The waterfall also serves to cool the air temperature.

"We will be able to determine if this cooling method works over the course of summer. There are some air-conditioners that have also been installed inside the pavilion to anticipate Shanghai's heat as the temperature can reach 39 degrees Celsius during the summer," Budi said.

Mari explained that the pavilion was divided into three zones: The bio zone features the country's abundant natural resources, the diverse zone showcases equipment used by traditional society in agriculture and the city section includes food and beverages.

She said that in line with the expo theme of "Better City, Better Life", Indonesia defined "better life" as harmony among different groups with their innate cultural heritage, while constantly moving forward in democracy and modernity. "We are showcasing our democracy and the progress that we have made in political, economic and cultural aspects in the past years."

Inside the Indonesian pavilion, visitors can sign on at a computer screen to cast their votes for the Komodo dragon to be named among the new seven wonders of nature. Such an effort has helped the Komodo to stay in the top 14 at the website http://www.new7wonders.com. The Komodo, which can grow up to 3 meters in length, is an endangered species living in the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores and Gili Motang in East Nusa Tenggara.

In another part of the pavilion, visitors can see resin-made reliefs of the world's largest Buddhist temple Borobudur and touch the Buddha's hand inside a replica of a stupa, a temple, located in Muntilan, Central Java. The world heritage site as declared by UNESCO back in the 1980s has been among the most favorite destination for tourists.

The pavilion also showcases numerous batik clothes as well as musical instruments such as Sasando of East Nusa Tenggara that is made from a split leaf of the Lontar palm, and becak (pedicab).

While other pavilions offer traditional cuisine, the Indonesian pavilion had yet to open its Enak (delicious) Restaurant, which minister Mari said would highlight Indonesia's delicacies such as fried rice, fried noodles and sate.

"The menu was selected by President Bambang Yudhoyono," she said. "Our nasi goreng [fried rice] is different from other country's because it's the only one that uses sweet soy sauce."

It was unfortunate the Enak Restaurant was not prepared to welcome the guests during The Jakarta Post's visit last week. The coffee corner, slated to serve the famous Toraja coffee, was not operating either.

The government spent US$10 million to build the pavilion and said it hoped to earn Rp 1 trillion (US$108.7 million) in transactions from trade, tourism and investment sectors. However, deputy chief of the Expo Coordination Bureau, Zhu Yonglei, said that only five hallmark venues would be stored inside the Expo site, including the Expo Axis and the China Pavilion.

Mari hoped the Indonesian pavilion would be named among the five most beautiful although it is competing against other favorites including Japan, Saudi Arabia and European countries' pavilions. It is the second pavilion ever built by the government during its participation at the world expo. The opportunity has been seen by the government as "a massive PR event" to show how Indonesia has moved away from decades of autocratic rule and is becoming a beacon of democracy, emerging as one of the most resilient economies in Asia.

Mari said Indonesia, which has had the third largest economic growth after China and India, was like a charming girl. "This expo is to help people become more familiar with Indonesia before they eventually build a bilateral trade relation and invest in our country," she added.

The World Expo has brought the world closer to visitors and helped them learn about most countries' cultures as well as build interaction among them.

 Photos by Primastuti Handayani

Source: Jakartapost

Yogyakarta Tourism Unaffected by Europe's Dust

2010-05-12T11:33:00.001+07:00

Yogyakarta:The grounding of flights to Europe has not created any significant impact to the number of tourists coming to Yogyakarta. Until today, no tour and travel agencies have cancelled their trip, said Yogyakarta Public Relations chief, Deddy Pranowo Eryono, yesterday.

Since the volcano in Iceland erupted on Wednesday last week, all flights from and to European countries have been stopped. The eruption of the volcano located above the Eyjafjallajokull glacier has covered Europe�s sky with volcanic dust and vapor.

As a result, most European airlines decided to ground their planes since Friday because the thick dust could upset the pilot�s vision and damage the plane's engine.

This incident has caused thousands of passengers to be stranded. Many world leaders who intended to attend the Polish president's funeral had to cancel their plans. In Asia, many flights to Europe have been delayed.

According to Deddy, Yogyakarta is fortunate because its biggest tourists come from Asia, particularly Malaysia since the Malaysia-Yogyakarta direct flights were opened.

Last year, a total of 139.492 foreign tourists and 1,2 million domestic tourists visited Yogyakarta.

With regards to Yogyakarta tourism, Deddy said, the opening of information booths by hotels at the Adisutjipto Airport has helped the tourists. They can get complete information about hotels, restaurants, and entertainment centers there,he said.

MUH SYAIFULLAH

TEMPO Interactive,

"Belgian" Chocolate Comes to Yogyakarta, Indonesia

2010-05-12T11:30:00.001+07:00

When Belgian Thierry Detournay came to Yogyakarta to work as a lecturer for a local university nine years ago, he missed having good chocolate.

So armed with the knowledge gained from a chocolate cooking class back home in Belgium, the self-professed chocolate connoisseur created his own recipe for chocolate using a mix of European and Javanese tastes.

His home-based business started to take off and soon Detournay and two other Indonesian friends founded Monggo Chocolate in 2005.
Assisted by his wife who is Indonesian, the company produces chocolates year-round, under the flag of the Anugerah Mulia Company.

[Thierry Detournay, Monggo Chocolate Co-founder]:
"In the beginning it was a bit difficult, because, yes I mean the people here they don't understand too much probably about good quality chocolate. The price was very important and still the price is important. So because we made a product like a souvenir of Jogya, we became famous with the people not from Jogya but outside of Jogya."

Indonesians traditionally eat ginger and tamarind candy, which costs as little as 20 cents a bar.
The chocolate bars and truffles at Monggo's cost from $1 to $7.

Detournay has introduced ginger and cashew chocolate bars to cater to Indonesian taste buds and is now in the process of launching a chili-flavored chocolate bar.
The name "Mongo" was derived from the Javanese world for "please."

With a staff of 25 people and an output production of 1,000 packs per month of different varieties and sizes, Monggo is evidently pleasing the local Indonesian market.

[Jeanette, Australian Customer]:
"I also thought the packaging is really fantastic, the whole concept that of being made in Indonesia and the quality product."

[Sulistiani Yudhawati, Chocolate Enthusiast]:
"This chocolate taste is just right. Although the price is slightly expensive but the taste surpasses any other chocolates."

Domestic and international tourists in Yogyakarta are Detournay's main customer base.

Source: ntdtv.com

Jogja Three Expo at JEC

2010-05-12T11:27:00.001+07:00

Yogyakarta:The exhibition Jogja Three Expo will be organized at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC) on 12-16 May.

There will be 78 tenants, from miscellaneous items, clothing and cars.
All necessities are there,� said Deru Samudera Risa, Jogja Three Point Project Officer, yesterday.
The concept is to merge the three most dominant business sectors, which are tourism, trade and investment.

The exposition is followed by related offices from several regions.
The Head of the Yogyakarta Tourism Office, M. Tazbir said that all forms of the exposition will be organized continuously, because Yogyakarta is one of the 10 largest cities of MICE destinations.

MUH SYAIFULLAH

Source: Tempointeraktif

Enhance Focus to Visit Central Java 2011 - Why So Many Tourist coming from Yogyakarta?

2010-05-11T11:29:00.000+07:00

Central Java Government must sharpen Visit Central Java in 2011 for this program to the maximum impact for all stakeholders from the tourism sector. The government should also fix the "door gate" sign so that tourists interested in visiting tourist destinations in Central Java.
Do not be compartmentalized. Destinations in Central Java, but why so many tourists coming from Yogyakarta.

This was raised in the show "Travel Agent Gathering" organized Losari Retreat and Spa in Grabag Coffee Plantation, Magelang regency, on Thursday (15 / 4). The event was attended by a number of tour participants.

The official website of Provincial Government Visit Jateng Jateng mentioned 2011 themed "World Batik of Central Java." This program, among others, will be filled International Batik Festival, Borobudur Travel Mart and Expo, Cheng Ho International Festival, International Puppet Festival, the Festival of Indonesian Jamu.

"The government should focus on activities, but also chose the potential buyer (buyer's). That's who should be invited," said Arman Suparman, Sales and Marketing Manager Losari Spa Retreat and Coffee Plantation.

Government, Arman said, also must determine the target market who want to target. He suggested that the strongest focus on Singapore and Malaysia. This is because the Central Java have direct flights from the these countries was good in Solo and Semarang.

According to the Regional Director of Sales Restyle, Isa Ismail Rauf, governments should improve the entrance for tourists by improving the infrastructure to major tourist sites. If not, it is difficult to invite tourists to enjoy tourist destinations in Central Java.

Central Java provincial government must also be smart in the market by trying to establish connection with the Bali tours. This is because in foreign countries more easily sell a well known Bali.

"Do not be compartmentalized. Destinations in Central Java, but why so many tourists coming from Yogyakarta. It must cooperate with each other. The average foreign tourist to Borobudur of Yogyakarta because of access," said Hasan Basri, Tour Manager Blooms Tour Tours, Yogyakarta. (GAL)

Translate from Kompas.com

Solo Tourism Board Need It

2010-05-10T18:18:00.001+07:00

The perpetrators of tourism in the city of Solo initiated the need for tourism promotion agency Solo (Solo Tourism Board) or STB. With the STB is expected to be more integrated tourism promotion efforts and give a more pronounced economic impact for the community.

"During this campaign conducted on their own with little funds, without segmentation and target markets clear so that a very small effect. We want the STB to raising campaigns and greater impact," said Chairman of the Tourism Association of Travel Agents (Asita) Solo City, Suharto, Wednesday (05/05/2010).

With the STB, is also expected that communication for development of tourism in the city of Solo, both among different tours and Solo City Government better. "We hope there are more than a clerk's attention, especially about campaign funds, because we promote not only tourism but the city of Solo," Suharto said.

Advisor Germany Technical Cooperation (GTC) for Regional Economic Development Program Indonesia, Hidayatullah Al Banjari, say, the experience in various areas or developing countries, promotion of tourism should ideally be done through one door so that the outcome measured, and easy for monitoring and evaluation. Promotion program was expected to be more planned and effective.

"There's debate, Solo had a lot of activity but according to the perpetrator of tourism there is no perceived impact or small impact. While the related department said it had promotion. This is because it is done individually," says Hidayatullah.

Lecturer Business Diploma Course Travel March Eleven University (UNS) Surakarta, Bambang Ary Wibowo, said the organization should be minimalist in order to efficiently STB. He also urged the tourism actors dare to be independent in funding promotional activities.

"With the STB, although by law the existence of possible funding from local governments, but nature can not continue," said Bambang. (EKI)

translate from kompas.com

Semarang revives Old City to lure tourists

2010-05-10T10:30:00.001+07:00

Semarang is progressing fast and developing into a leading business city, although floods caused by heavy rain and high tides affect some parts of the city.

Semarang is the country's third largest business city after Jakarta and Surabaya. It became a business city during colonial times after the establishment of Dutch trading company Verenigde Oost-Indie Compagnie (VOC) in 1705. Previously, the Dutch business center was in Jepara, Central Java.

The Dutch built Vijhoek fort and a connecting street, called Heeren Straat, which is now Jl. Letjen Soeprapto. One of the gates of the fort is at Berok Bridge, which was formerly called De Zuider Por.

Semarang grew into a business city starting from the fort as its center point. The fort area was called Oudestad van Samarang or the Old City of Semarang and was often called Little Netherlands. The whole area was the city's administration and business center with a number of residential areas that were divided into areas and streets, particularly for Arabs (Pekojan) and Chinese (Pecinan).

After three decades, the Old City is now relatively deserted. The reason is that most of the area is often flooded. The business center gradually moved southward to higher ground. Jl. Mataram turned into one of the city's business centers. Pekojan, where Arabs used to live, is now a residential area for many Chinese-Indonesians.

Business centers in Semarang have now spread all over the city, including to Simpang Lima, which was once a quiet area. Today there are three malls here: Matahari Plaza, Ciputra Mall and Ramayana Mall.

Jl Pandanaran, which is close by, has turned into a snack center. Here modern shops sell bandeng presto (grilled milkfish), wingko babat (coconut and sugar snack), lunpia (shrimp and bamboo snack) as well as many other Indonesian snacks.

Meanwhile, Johar Market, the largest traditional market in Central Java, is a reliable business center in the heart of the city with thousands of large and small vendors.

Chinatown or Pecinan has been preserved and has 10 temples that are actively visited by worshippers. Since the reform era, Chinese culture and traditions have once again flourished. In Semarang, Chinese New Year is celebrated with a fair, namely the two-day Pasar Imlek Semawis prior to Chinese New Year. In Semarang's Chinatown, traditional Chinese drugstores are always crowded with customers.

In Pecinan is Warung Semawis, a food stall selling both Chinese and Javanese food and snacks, such as pork satay, hot mung bean soup, lunpia, fried noodles, fried rice and much more. It is open only on Friday and Saturday evenings. There is a stage where visitors can sing. Food prices here are very reasonable even by local standards.

The night fair, called Jie Kao Mee in the Chinese language, and later the Imlek Semawis Fair has been held since 2004. "The fair has been modified with a modern touch to attract the younger generation as well," said Ong Gwan Djien alias Dharmadi.

The fair sees performances of Chinese, Javanese and even Arabic culture and traditions.

The old temples are also worth a visit, such as Kwan Im Ting (established in 1476) in Gang Belakang, Sioe Hok Bio (1753) in Gang Baru, Tek Hay Bio (1756) in Gang Gambiran, Tay Kak Sie (1771) in Gang Lombok, Tong Pek Bio (1782) in Gang Pinggir, Hoo Hok Bio (1792) in Gang Mangkok, Wie Wie Kiong (1814) in Kampong Sebandaran, Kong Tik Soe (1845) in the Tay Kak Sie complex, Liong Hok Bio (1866) in Gang Besen and See Hoo Kiong (1881) in Sebandaran. Gang means alley in English.

The temple manager will gladly answer any questions related to the Khonghucu, Tao and Buddhist temples. One of the best temples is Tay Kak Sie, which is the largest in Chinatown. It has three large statues of Buddha and a number of small statuettes of Buddha, while there are numerous statues of gods in the other room.

If you want to see Southeast Asia's largest temple then visit Sam Po Kong at Gedung Batu, Simongan, Semarang, which is about five kilometers from Simpang Lima in the heart of the city. Here one can enter the temple complex, but has to pray in the main temple to see the ornamental relic of the trip taken by Adm. Cheng Ho around the world.

When you have finished your tour of Semarang's Chinatown, you can visit the Old City, which is 31 hectares in area. Here you will find 50 buildings built during Dutch times. One of the oldest buildings is the historical Immanuel Church, locally called Gereja Blenduk, which is more than two centuries old and located on Jl. Letjen Suprapto. Just opposite the church is the Murba Building. Most of the buildings are still standing strong. Some are unoccupied, while some have been turned into offices, warehouses or restaurants.

The Semarang city administration is attempting to revive the Old City and make it a tourist destination. Srigunting Park, near the church, has been renovated and the street repaved. Foreign tourists, especially from the Netherlands, often visit the Old City. It seems that Little Netherlands is quite an attraction for them.

"It is a pity that we have not been able to solve the flood problem there. However, the Old City remains one of the city's best tourist destinations, said the marketing head of the Semarang Cultural and Tourism Office.

Source: The Jakartapost Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang

Badui Dance will Show at the OKI Session

2010-05-08T17:00:00.001+07:00

Badui Dance Yogyakarta Sleman district plans are invited to enliven the opening session of the meeting of Islamic countries who are members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Yemen, June, said the Vice Regent of Sleman Sri Poernomo.

In meetings with the board meeting with new Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Branch of Yogyakarta, Sleman, Wednesday, he added Yemeni Embassy in Jakarta has been invited directly to the district government (Pemkab) Sleman to send a team of dancers to perform in the dance Badui meeting OIC members.

"I do not know the criteria so that the art of dance Badui Sleman District was selected to appear to enliven the show meeting the OIC member countries," says Sri Poernomo who was accompanied by Head of Public Relations Section of the Regional Secretariat of Sri Endah Widiastuti Sleman regency.

He said sure if Dance Baduis of Sleman have chosen to enrich the excess so that the event so that it is considered enough pride for the community because this area is the home of traditional dance will perform at the international stage.

"Currently we are coordinating to prepare the team Badui dancers dance to be sent to a meeting of OIC member countries," he said.

Meanwhile, the offensive about arts and culture development in Sleman district, he said the current government of Sleman district plan to build a cultural center of the district level in order to explore the potential of arts and culture which is owned in every village in Sleman.

"The spirit of the community of Sleman District will explore the potential of art and culture at the local level is high enough to attempt it is necessary to obtain local government support. The potential of arts and local culture into the tourism assets of this region," he said.

Translate from: Kompas.com

Ninth century wooden houses found

2010-05-07T21:34:00.001+07:00

A team of archeologists from the Yogyakarta Archeological Center have reportedly found three wooden houses, believed to be part of a village from the 9th century Ancient Mataram Kingdom.

The excavation, located in Liyangan, Purbasari subdistrict, Ngadirejo, Temanggung, was conducted from April 14-20 by a team comprising researchers Baskoro Daru Tjahjono, Sugeng Riyanto and Heri Priswanto with the assistance of Mujiono and Didik Santosa.

"One of the houses is still intact, one is partially-intact and the other is severely damaged," Baskoro told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

He added his team believed the houses were made of wood because they all had turned to charcoal possibly due to the eruption of Mt. Sindoro in the 9th century.

The extremely high temperature from the eruption turned the wooden houses into charcoal before they were buried by time.

He said the find, thanks to sand miners who first spotted the objects, was considered spectacular because it was the first time such a find had been made in Indonesia.

The team's belief that the houses came from the 9th century, according to Baskoro, was supported by the fact that a temple had also been found in the same site in 2008.

"The sand miners here were aware of the importance of ancient buildings. That's why they are extremely careful when they find stone constructions," he said.

"Yet, when they found charcoals, they had no idea they were part of important ancient constructions so they kept on digging," said Baskoro, explaining why one of the houses had been severely damaged when the team arrived on the site.

Sugeng Riyanto said that being reduced to charcoal had made the houses more resistant to aging.

He added the team also found a bronze Rukam script written in ancient Javanese letters not far from the site.

Other findings at the site include Tang Dynasty ceramics and earthenware lamps.

Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Temanggung, Central Java

New Tourist Destination Yogyakarta

2010-05-06T10:36:00.001+07:00

Animal Market Development and Ornamental Plants of Yogyakarta, located in Dongkelan, Village Gedongkiwo, Mantrijeron District aims to develop the economy of Yogyakarta, especially in the south.

"Actually, the establishment of Wildlife and Ornamental Crops Market Yogyakarta (PASTHY) not only can be used to generate the south of Yogyakarta city economy, but also the community of Bantul district," said the Governor of Yogyakarta Special Region lane (HB) X when reviewing PASTHY, Monday (12/04/2010).

According to Sultan, the existence PASTHY has the potential to become a new economic center in the southern city of Yogyakarta, as will a lot of money circulating in the market. Especially after all the traders of birds and wildlife from Ngasem market moved to a new location dibanguan on a land of about 15,000 square meters.

However, be reminded that the Government of Yogyakarta is not a hands-off just after moving into PASTHY Ngasem market traders, but must continue to innovate so that merchants do not get out of the new place.

Sultan said the region planning and promotion become important to do things municipal government, for example, through encouraging travel agents. "It would be nice if there was a travel agent who can offer a tour to visit PASTHY. Not to shop, but also enjoy the atmosphere while eating or drinking," he said.

Head of Market Management Department (Dinlopas) Yogyakarta Fadli Ahmad said the government is committed to continue to promote to the community to introduce PASTHY. Some events will be held at PASTHY, among them the Gold Fish Chef contests, band performances and a few coloring contest for children.

"We held a campaign a few days after the official move to PASTHY merchants. All the birds and wildlife traders in the market will move to PASTHY Ngasem on Thursday (22 / 4) with a carriage parade," he said.

Yogyakarta Mayor Herry Zudianto states, his party will support promotional activities PASTHY of them by installing signage and directions to the location of the bus line PASTHY Trans Jogja that supports public access to that market. "Path Trans Jogja bus would stop there," said Herry.

Legislative Chairman Henry Koencoroyekti Yogyakarta city states, the government needs to conduct the facilitation of all aspects of the PASTHY, including transportation and promotion. "Additional transportation routes are important, and also by networking with other places," he said

Let's Try New Route Steam Train Ambarawa

2010-05-05T06:39:00.001+07:00

In the near future visitors can enjoy a steam train two jagged routes, namely Ambarawa-Tuntang and Ambarawa-Bedono, in Semarang District. This is in line with the start of the turn in the sleepers-Tuntang Ambarawa path from the original timber bearing the iron.

"We expect August to be able to test the steam trains and diesel trains towing dolly."
- Eko S Mulyanto

"Route-Tuntang Ambarawa been approved, now just waiting for the completion of replacement bearings. We expect August to be able to test the steam trains and diesel trains towing lorry," said Eko S. Ambarawa Station Chief in Ambarawa Mulyanto, Thursday (08/04/2010) .

So far, only tourists can enjoy the steam train route as far Ambarawa-Bedono 20 kilometers. Ambarawa-Tuntang route along the 7.5 kilometers traversed by the locomotive was not a big man since 25 years ago because of rotted cushions.

According Lasiyo, supervisory workers in Tuntang bearing replacement, bearing replacement process could be completed two weeks' time when the sand and stone was ready. Materials needed to strengthen the bearing and rail.

The replacement of bearings implemented starting from Kilometre 29 to Kilometre 36 +470 +970 on Cross-Ambarawa Kedungjati. The replacement bearings are prepared to reach 12 569 units. These bearings are imported from the emplacement of the station in South Sumatra, West Sumatra and North Sumatra.

Eko optimistic opening new routes for the steam railway in Ambarawa-Tuntang tourists will be greeted positively. This route offers scenery from the edge of Slough Pening natural reservoirs, in contrast with Bedono Ambarawa-dominated landscapes of the mountains.

According to Eko, rental prices for both steam train's route will be distinguished. Certainty of the rental price is still awaiting a decision Railway headquarters. "KA-Tuntang Ambarawa steam began in March raised the rental price of USD 3.25 million to USD 5.25 million. This is to adjust the steam trains to leases Jaladara in Solo," he said.

Due to the increase, there is a travel agency to cancel the trip or raised objections and asked the old prices apply until the end of the year. However, the policy of the rental price is determined PT KA's head office.

Administrative data and Station Museum Ambarawa, this year's revenue target increased to USD 1.99 billion from USD 1.4 billion last year. Target users of steam railway also increased from an average of 18 to 19 trips per month. In KA Ambarawa Museum there are two steam locomotives which can operate, namely the B 2502 and B 2503. (GAL)

Travel tips to Yogyakarta

2010-05-05T06:38:00.000+07:00

Who does not know Yogyakarta? Everyone knows, Yogyakarta is a place that must be visited during holidays or school holidays end. Choice of tourist attractions in Yogyakarta were diverse, such as visiting the Palace, visit Prambanan Temple, or to Parangtritis and more. No less importantly, you and your family would have to equip themselves with various tips about tourist attractions in Yogyakarta below.

1. Beware of pickpockets
Especially when the crowd at the Jalan Malioboro, be careful with your wallet. Store in a safe place, inside the bag, in front pants pocket, or leave valuables in your hotel room and bring lunch to taste. Do not show the valuables like jewelry are striking, cell phones, and others because it will attract pickpockets.

2. In sights

Hawkers
Well when you will enter the Borobudur, Kraton, and other objects, you will usually be "invaded" by the peddlers with all sorts merchandise. If you are not interested or do not intend to buy, do not try to haggle. Better to leave it with a fine and do not have cared.

Prepare a dime
If at any time you were approached by a group of street children, beggars, or singers, you better give up a dime to Rp 500 or Rp 1,000 instead of having to be made uncomfortable by their act.

No smoking
Especially in the Palace, you are not allowed to smoke and to behave / dress that is less polite.

3. Pedicab
One time when you need to go walk around town, you can use a pedicab transportation. The price you have to bargain, especially when a pedicab driver know you are a tourist who is considered not know the state of Yogyakarta. You will be subject to high tariffs. Ask your hotel staff or guides if you want to travel, either by pedicab or other transportation. Do not be influenced by the offer of a pedicab driver to take you to buy souvenirs, such as bakpia, dagadu t-shirts, and so forth.

4. Typical food
Yogya cuisine is Gudeg, bakpia pathok, Geplak, yangko, ampyang, nuts dent bantul (bigger, solid, crispy, and savory), kipo (very rare traditional dishes typical of Kotagede).

5. Lesehan
Before you eat, always ask what the price per recourse. Usually traders lesehan does not list prices.

Translate from Kompas.com

Russian is Potential Tourism Market for Yogyakarta

2010-05-04T10:38:00.001+07:00

Russia needs to be set as a target of Yogyakarta tourism market. During this time, the visit of Russian tourists to Yogyakarta is still minimal compared to other countries of tourists. In fact, Russia's potential markets with high economic growth and many new rich fabrics in there.
Russia is a country with a population of the world number seven, nearly 200 million people.

"Russia is a country with a population of the world number seven, nearly 200 million people. If we could capture just 2 percent of tourists, from 2 percent is a percent of a visit to Yogyakarta, it could very well," said Usmar Salam, professor of International Relations Faculty of Social Sciences and Political Science, Gadjah Mada University, on cultural dialogue entitled "Revitalization of the Cultural Diplomacy, Reflections 60 Years RI-Russia Relations" in Kepatihan, Yogyakarta, Tuesday (04/06/2010).

Yogyakarta Tourism Department data, the number of foreign tourists to Yogyakarta in 2008 as many as 128 660 people. Of that total, only 499 people of Russian tourists, were much smaller than 27 168 people of Dutch tourists, Malaysia 17 955, and Japan 16 638 people.

According Usmar, to hook a lot of Russian tourists need Yogyakarta cultural diplomacy mission to Russia. "There should be an obvious target for Russian tourists would come to the DIY and investment," said Usmar.

Month in May 2010, Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta, Yogyakarta together represent Indonesia to send mission to Russian art. That is the mission of art counterattack against the Russian artistic mission last year.

Chairman of the Tourism Industry Development Board Yogyakarta Wiendu Nuryanti, Joko Pitoyo represented, say, Yogyakarta tourism market is now shifting from Japan, Australia, Malaysia and the Netherlands, to a potential market of new Middle East, China and Russia. Russia becomes potential market for Russian citizens visiting abroad is increasing every year up to 10 percent.

Increased foreign travel was driven Russia's economic stability, increase revenues and public spending, and increasingly lax policies on their visit to foreign countries set by the Government post-Soviet Russia.

"Income Russians grew, more and more rich people. Income per capita in 2004 reached 20,000 U.S. dollars," said Joko.

According to him, the arrival of Russian tourists in large numbers very profitable Yogyakarta. They brave a bomb threat was not easily frightened. Russia was not easy to remove the travel warning. "They are generous, not stingy, and likes to shop," he said. (RWN)

Andong Yogyakarta interested by Tourist

2010-05-04T10:26:00.001+07:00

Andong, the traditional means of transportation or transportation of Yogyakarta similar gig seemed very popular tourist tourists both foreign and domestic, especially to get around the city. "Andong horsepower drawn with many found in various corners of the city, so travelers need not fret or worry about not getting transportation," said Head of Tourism Department of Yogyakarta, Yulia Rustiyaningsih in Mataram, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Thursday (04/08/2010 ).
If the carriage in Yogyakarta all around Rp. 5000, whereas once Cidomo around Rp 50,000.

On the tourism promotion activities in Yogyakarta that was attended by tourism actors, including Head of Tourism Department Mataram, Watan, he explained, in addition to carriage, tourists can walk around Yogyakarta by using pedicabs and bicycles. The public, especially tourists love to use carriage or rickshaw to get around the city because of its cost is very cheap, which is once around the city just Rp. 5000 per person.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

KOMPAS/MADINA NUSRAT

Numerous attractions can be visited, among others, Taman Sari Palace, Castle Museum, Museum Sonobudoyo, Istana Negara Gedung Agung, Sultan Palace and Fortress Vredeburg Ngayogyakarta.

In Yogyakarta, he said, will be able to see a variety of arts and culture as sekaten, tumplak ceremony of diamonds, gerebeg, jamasan ceremony heritage, and how dumb mubeng Ruwatan fort.

It is said, the ceremony is a kind of diamonds tumplak food made from glutinous rice and palm sugar to initiate the making of the mountains that will be issued at the time of the ceremony gerebeg.

"Gerebeg conducted by the Sultan Palace as a symbol of charity for a king to the people and carried out three times a year, namely Gerebeg maulid Mulud to commemorate the Prophet Muhammad, Ramadhan Gerebeg on Hari Raya Idul Fitri and Idul Adha Gerebeg," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Tourism Department Mataram, Watan, said the traditional transport is still favored communities in Mataram, Lombok is cikar montor or Cidomo gig, also kind of buggy. Transport Cidomo favored by foreign tourists, especially in a tourist attraction in Terawangan Gili, Gili Meno and Gili Air. "If the carriage in Yogyakarta was around Rp 5,000, while the once Cidomo around Rp 50,000," said Watan.

source and translate from Kompas.com

Browsing the popular eateries in Yogyakarta

2010-05-04T08:29:00.000+07:00

It's just after sunset in the back streets of Yogyakarta. There are a dozen or so bule standing about awkwardly in front of a small, dark building. Various taxis and motorbikes deliver them from the labyrinth of adjoining side streets.

They are meeting in front of Milas restaurant in the Prawirotaman area for dinner. Milas is where your hungry bohemian, culturally sensitive travellers die and go to heaven, but are then reincarnated because that's way hipper.

It is a very bamboo vegetarian eatery, which uses locally grown organic produce. And the kicker: Profits go to projects which aim to help local street kids. But tonight there's a sign on the door. It says that in 2009 they are closed, for tonight only. "The one night of the year we come," says a companion.

Luckily in Yogyakarta there are plenty of dining opportunities, of various qualities, usually within walking distance of wherever you may find yourself in the city. Not far from Milas we walk to Via Via, an interesting concept for a restaurant.

Owned by some enterprising Belgian travellers, it runs tours, courses and holds art exhibitions. It also offers a world menu as well as a specialised Indonesian selection, which is different for each day of the week. Tonight, tong seng is on the menu and my plate. A subtle mix of lamb, cabbage, spices and rice, it is highly recommended.

We are here because it is one of our companion's birthdays. He decided that a restaurant was the best way to celebrate, after an incident on his birthday last year while staying in a village in Sumatra.

Not knowing anyone, he decided to throw himself a party, not letting a lack of company stop him from singing, dancing and being stupidly happy. Unknown to him at the time, his birthday also happened to be the day Soeharto died.

"I was driven out by the local Soeharto supporters, who didn't understand why I was celebrating, that's why I'm in Yogya now," he jokes.

For lunch the next day we stop by at FM caf* on Jl Sosrowijayan, a happening street off the main road, Jl Malioboro. The caf* is sleepy during the day and we are the only customers. The menu includes lots of Western dishes.

"Let's see how they do pizza," a friend says.

So we all order a small pizza each. Quite some time later the waiter brings out three of our pizzas. Knowing that in Indonesia food for groups arriving at the same time is rare, we tuck in, but the girls at the table are still waiting by the time we finish.

They cancel their pizzas, which are soft and doughy anyway. My friend later insists that she was getting served last because she was a woman. Maybe, I say, could've been a jam in the kitchen, though. She doesn't find it funny.

Still hungry, the girls go looking for food only to hit the jackpot. Wandering the streets is a woman serving satay from atop her head. The girls place their order. The woman, never faltering, reaches up to the top of her head and brings down the food - the only way to serve to satay.

The next night we decide to go and see some reggae at Bintang Cafe. With little time to eat, we decide to go to a small food stall on the way to the bar. Like in other parts of Indonesia, a good bowl of fried noodles from a stall is a gamble.

While some make the dish themselves, many others, this one included, make it from the packets you find in supermarkets. Yogyakarta may be the cultural capital of Indonesia, but the reach of mass-produced packet food is simply too great. Luckily when we arrive at Bintang Caf*, the crowd is young and the reggae is perfect. Atmosphere you can only find in Yogyakarta, not in a packet.

Kyle Taylor, THE JAKARTA POST, YOGYAKARTA

Holiday is full of sweet in Yogyakarta

2010-05-04T08:27:00.001+07:00

The people with ready smile, becak, the palace, and one-bite size pie bakpia flashed in my mind when I was thinking about Yogyakarta. So, I decided to spend this semester break in the laid-back atmosphere but exotic place.

Together with my parents we started the holiday by visiting my grandfather in Wonosobo, a couple of hours driving in the outskirt of Yogyakarta. The family house is at the hill top and we have to drive circling round the hill to get there.

The view out of the car window was stunning with villages, rice terraces, big trees and the mountains at a distance lining up along the road.

My father had to return to Jakarta for work, so I and my mother took the Prameks train from Kutoarjo station to Tugu station in Yogyakarta.

We stayed at a relative, a retired couple who are still busy running their own business. Pakde Gegeng drove us to place, while Bude Sri, a wonderful cook, treated us local cuisines such as the spicy tempeh plenyet and scrambled tofu.

It was a holiday, but I couldn't ignore my studies. I went to the Gadjah Mada University, the biggest and oldest one in Yogyakarta, and made some search at the Archeology's library and laboratory to get research materials for my undergraduate thesis.

The archeology students were so helpful. They were not only helping me to find some books and research reports relevant to my thesis subject, they gave me a small tour.

My new friends Wiwit, Sari and Inu showed me around the town, the art and cultures Sonobudoyo Museum, the bustling Malioboro Street, the sultanate palace Keraton and the amazing park Taman Pintar.

The museum is located in front of the Keraton. It is filled with Yogyakarta's history, dated ages back. In Malioboro, I went to the Mirota Batik where I bought some souvenirs for friends back home.

We ate lotek for lunch that looks like salad with peanut sauce. It was similar with gado-gado, a specialty in Jakarta, but with bakwan (critters of vegetables) and noodles.

Full with food we continued walking to Taman Pintar, a playground for kids to play and learn. The park is located behind the heritage Vrederburg fortress. In the entrance there was a monument with the picture of the mythical Garuda picture on top and a scripture beneath that reads: "A big nation is one that respects its leaders and heroes".

The toys are very interactive, playful, and educated. There are monuments of presidents, mazes, pulley, and satellite dish speakers for the visitors to play with.

On the next day, my mother and I visited Taman Sari that used to be part of the ancient kingdom ruling in most part of the country. It was used as a bathing place for kings and the nobles, later on as meditation or religion worship place, small batik industry, military training ground and for other purposes throughout the history.

Taman Sari nowadays is a beautiful tourism destination for both domestic and international tourists. The architecture style is an eclectic influence of Hindu, Buddha, Java, Islam, China, Portuguese and Europe, making it one of the province's most prestigious heritage sites.

I had already enough feast for the eyes, but Yogyakarta has more in store to satisfy my taste buds.

Before we left for Jakarta, my mother and I bought some of its specialty snacks, such as bakpia, peanut bars ting-ting, geplak and other sweets. Indeed, most of Yogyakarta's food is sweet. I guess that the people has sweet tooth just as their hospitality.

Prita Nur Aini Student of University of Indonesia.

TheJakartaPost

Tourist Guides, Tour Itineraries for All Yogyakarta Designed

2010-05-04T08:14:00.001+07:00

Starting this year, Yogyakarta Tourism Department will issue a schedule of events and cultural tours throughout the DIY for one full year. This is to be a guide for tourists who visit the DIY. It is expected that in this way will be more and boost the number of tourist visits.

Head of Tourism Department of DIY Tazbir states, the institute targets tourist visits to DIY during the year 2010 increased by 10 percent from 2009. For that some breakthrough dilakuka n to achieve the goal of which publishes a schedule of tour events all district / municipal in DIY subs a year.

"Now being drafted, will soon be issued schedule of tour events. This is the guideline, so there are no tourists who told me I did not know there were events during its visit to DIY it," he said.

Disclosed to him, learn from the experiences of 2009 and previous years, a number of cultural events and other tourism events siphon potential domestic and foreign tourists visit the country held relatively sudden. It was difficult for promotional efforts in order to invite tourists in large numbers to witness the event.

"It's hard to invite people when all of a sudden. Starting from this year's fix it, we mapped all tour events, there was what in Sleman, B antul, Kulon Progo and Gunung Kidul City. Where's the national scale? From the schedule it can be seen on the DIY tour event for one year, "he said

Enjoy Fruits in the Garden Mangunan in Bantul Yogyakarta

2010-05-03T10:33:00.001+07:00

The launch coincided with the harvest of durian species Monthong. There are about 400 durian trees to bear fruit. On average each tree produces fruit 10-15.

In the event, Idham Samawi together with a delicious taste of durian Monthong officials. It was very appreciated kebuh fruit development under the control of Agriculture and Forestry Office of Bantul Regency.

According to him, in the early stages of pioneering many parties who oppose development plan Mangunan. Now, after the rapid development of many parties to contact him to offer cooperation. There are even interested in buying Mangunan worth USD 6 billion. "If calculated with the capital that has been issued, the offer has made us gain a lot. However, our orientation is not on income but the development community," he explained.

Head of Department of Agriculture and Forestry in Bantul regency, Suharyanto Edy said it will continue to improve and add infrastructure in Mangunan. Apart from fruit picking, visitors can fish, fish, out-bound, and camping. Manager also provides three of the inn.

Kompas.com

Yogyakarta Tourism Promotion working on synergy

2010-05-03T08:52:00.001+07:00

Yogyakarta City will develop synergies with other areas both in Yogyakarta Special Region and other regions in Central Java province to promote tourism.

"Tourist destinations in the city of Yogyakarta is not too much."
- Deddy Pranowo Eryanto

"Tourist destinations in the city of Yogyakarta is not too much, there are only a few famous tourist destination such as the Kraton Yogyakarta, Taman Sari Taman Pintar and, therefore necessary to develop synergies with other areas to mendukung tourism promotion in the city of Yogyakarta," said Chairman of the Tourism Promotion Agency Yogyakarta (BP2KY), Deddy Pranowo Eryanto after the agency's new role as chairman of the period from 2010 to 2014 at City Hall in Yogyakarta, Friday (04/30/2010).

According to him, the purpose of the synergy that campaign is to conduct tourism promotion together and increase the number of tourist visits to the city of Yogyakarta as well as increased length of stay of tourists in the city.

"Usually, tourists choose to stay in Yogyakarta, although day trips in other areas. For example, tourists visiting the Solo, menginapnya in Yogyakarta. This potential needs to be developed," he said.

However, he keeps stressing that the development of tourism in Yogyakarta remained focused on a thematic tour in Yogyakarta that is culture-based tourism.

During this time, the weakness of tourism promotion in the city of Yogyakarta is unfulfilled adequate infrastructure facilities including the airport. "Recently there are direct flights from Malaysia and Singapore in Adisucipto Airport making it difficult to bring in tourists from Europe or other regions outside Asia," he said.

In 2009, the number of foreign tourists visiting Yogyakarta recorded 180 thousand people with 20 percent of them are from Malaysia. Number of foreign tourists visiting Yogyakarta in 2009 increased compared to 2008 which amounted to 120 thousand people.

"As a new board, I will continue the programs which have been shaped by the old board, with improvements to the program to develop the areas which have tourism potential," he said.

Meanwhile, Yogyakarta Mayor Herry Zudianto who inaugurated the committee states, tourism is the economic locomotive in Yogyakarta. "The tourism industry has the trickle down effect is very fast, has a unique and very broad market segment, so it is very interesting to develop," she said.

He affirmed that governments can not develop the tourism industry alone, but requires a partner who is able to embrace tourism industry players as well as other parties.

Herry also believes that the future, the tourism industry will be the economic drivers in DIY is not just in the city of Yogyakarta.

Giriloyo, Batik, and Enjoying Village

2010-05-02T08:21:00.000+07:00

Batik handicraft center in Giriloyo, Imogiri, Bantul regency, Yogyakarta (DIY), began to put up a village tour with leather centers Hamlet Pucung, Village Wukirsari.

"To start as a village tour, this time about ten home residents in the lodging Giriloyo prepared as tourists visiting the village," said chairman batik crafters community Giriloyo Nur Ahmadi in Bantul, Wednesday (01/06/2010).

He said every holiday long weekend holiday and religious holidays, these centers began to be visited a lot of domestic tourists. Besides their tour, also shopped batik products of local artisans.

"Therefore, by providing lodging house residents as tourists, they were expected to stay longer in Giriloyo, let alone most of the tourists coming from outside the DIY," he said.

According to him, a little or a lot of tourists who visit the center for batik craft in this region, for the local craftsmen is something exhilarating, because it means Giriloyo began to be known public.

"Every holiday season no matter how many tourists who visit Giriloyo still welcome a local batik craftsmen," he said.

He said to anticipate the number of tourists visiting the center of batik Giriloyo, the institute offers a tour package in the form of recreation around the hamlet and learning batik crafters with local instructors.

"Besides, we also prepare a traditional dish of food and drink that is peculiar Imogiri wedang uwuh and pecel turi flowers. With this dish, it is hoped visitors can enjoy a typical rural atmosphere Giriloyo," he said.

To support the marketing batik Giriloyo it hoped many promotional activities to include artisans in each exhibition, both at the national level as well as DIY.

In addition, he said, by holding his own exhibition in the gazebo Giriloyo batik handicraft centers are also expected to introduce directly the local batik production.

"We will cooperate with Yogyakarta Business Development Center for an exhibition at the gazebo batik batik handicraft center Giriloyo once every three months," he said.

During this time, according to him, gazebo Giriloyo batik used for the production process 12 groups of local batik crafters.

travel.kompas.com

Borobudur, Prambanan, Boko Design Tour Package

2010-05-02T07:49:00.001+07:00

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan, and Ratu Boko (TWC) invites business partners to work together to design a tour package and bring more tourists to tourist destinations.

"We opened dialogue travel to enlarge cooperation with potential partners, especially in Jakarta," said Director General Secretary Destinations Development, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Winarno Sudjas, in Jakarta, Wednesday (01/20/2010).

On that occasion, the institute in cooperation with PT TWC held a dialogue that was attended by travel agents and users of tourism services from travel agents, oil companies, embassies, to educational institutions.

Winarno said today that three of the temple of Borobudur, Prambanan, and Boko has made various efforts to reform, restructuring, and revitalization, so getting ready to receive the visit of tourists both domestic and foreign. "There has been much improvement efforts in the area of the temple and now all ready visited," he said.

In addition, it also calls for tourism players such as travel agents or travel agency began to compile a package tour to the temple area.

In addition, users of tourism services such as large corporations, educational institutions, to the embassy advised not hesitate planning a vacation to Borobudur, Prambanan, and Boko. "This indeed is part of our strategic move to increase foreign tourists visiting and wisnus," he said.

Today not only are developing cultural tourism in the region, but others also have tour packages offered tour packages including agro (the villages around the temple), destination spas, and golf outings.

Management also said it has set up the temple area of the temple including the structuring of environmental vendors, local tour guides, travel and security guarantees. "Looking ahead, theme parks temple-themed show with a new format 'Million Looks One Location'," he said

Main temple of Prambanan Still Damaged

2010-05-02T07:45:00.000+07:00

Nearly four years after the earthquake, the main temple of Prambanan Temple of Shiva completely untouched refurbishment. Nevertheless, the interest of tourists to visit is very high. Prambanan temple complex certainly safe.
If viewed from the physical construction of buildings, Shiva Temple showed no damage.

Shiva temple located in the middle of the Prambanan temple complex is not yet accessible by tourists. Shiva temple complex restoration hindered damage.

Until now, PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan, and Ratu Boko is still fence Shiva Temple. Some boards ban went into the temple was written around Shiva Temple.

"When viewed from the physical construction of buildings, Shiva Temple showed no damage and still standing. When entering the temple, there are vertical cracks wide enough along more than two feet and hands can get into the cracks," said the Head Office of Prambanan, Djoko Sutono , Thursday (04/22/2010).

Some tourists who visit the Prambanan Temple complain because they can not get into the main temple. Two other temples are also not able to squeeze visitors accessed because it is still broken.

According to Djoko, time Shiva temple renovation unclear because it is still in study stage. Some time ago, some experts in the field of conservation and historical research and have not been able to determine the most appropriate way of renovation. "Shiva Temple has not been touched at all, not knowing whether to be totally or partially dismantled, or injected fluids," Djoko added.

Two other major temples, the Nandi and Garuda temple Temple has returned to its original state after the restoration process pascagempa. Nandi temple which is the restoration of vehicles Lord Shiva, for instance, takes five months in the year 2008 with a total cost of Rp 760 million.

The Number of Cultural Conservation Areas to be Increased

2010-04-30T15:42:00.001+07:00

TEMPO Interactive, Yogyakarta:The Yogyakarta Cultural Office will include more cultural conservation areas in addition to 13 areas already listed by the office. This is in line with the Yogyakarta Regional Regulation no. 11/2005 on the Management of Cultural Conservation Areas. "There are some areas which we must prioritize," said the office chief Djoko Dwiyanto, in a workshop titled Discussion on Recommendations for the Revision of the Cultural Conservation Law, yesterday. The regulation was seen as a step forward, considering the Law no. 5/1992 on Cultural Conservation Objects only regulate objects and sites, and not the areas themselves.

The areas to be added are Baciro in Yogyakarta, which has Dutch colonial-style homes and Mlangi in Sleman, which is a traditional area. Meanwhile, the 13 cultural conservation areas which have already been listed are Kotagede, Kota Baru, the Palace, Puro Pakualaman, Ambarbinangun, Ambarketawang, and Prambanan . "We will establish an organization to preserve the areas found in districts in Kotagede," said Kantil Foundation coordinator, Muhammad Natsir.

PITO AGUSTIN RUDIANA

Thursday, 29 April, 2010

Student tourist raise Yogyakarta tourism

2010-04-29T14:19:00.001+07:00

Tourist students are expected to become the market opportunity of handmade products, because they will be visiting as a tourist attraction as well as craft industry center in Yogyakarta.
Student tourist visits to the handicraft center, is expected to lift the lives of local artisans.

"The visit of thousands of students from outside the region through the course of study tours during school holidays to be hope for the artisans, because eventually they will buy handicrafts at craft centers that exist in this region," said Chairman of the Association of Craftsmen and Small Traders Mataram (Asperam) Yogyakarta, Budi Sarwono, in Yogyakarta, Wednesday (10/02/2010).

According to Budi, handmade products can not be separated from tourism, because tourists will be looking for local handicrafts as souvenirs.

With the number of tourists whose numbers tens of thousands of students, are expected to turn a small artisan passion to improve its products.

They are expected to be a buyer there are a variety of craft products at craft centers and displayed in a tourist attraction in this area.

"Thus, a student from tourist visits to the handicraft center, is expected to lift the lives of local artisans, crafters, especially small, since their product is sold," he said.

He said during the school holidays so that students who are interested in day trips to visit and buy craft products at the center of crafts, artisans and managers needed readiness center for local handicrafts.

"Craftsmen with crafts center managers should prepare ourselves to create product appeal for tourists," he said.

According to Budi, handicraft centers can also be directed and developed as a tourist attraction that is packaged in a package tour requests. "Thus, the tourists who come to the center of crafts can see directly in the drafting process," he said.

He said that although the student tourists usually buy handmade products in small amounts, but their visit could boost sales of handicraft products that support small artisans who now less than satisfactory condition.

"Now this little crafters to survive alone is heavy. So at least handicraft products that were sold during the school holidays could support a family of craftsmen," he said.

Some members Asperam Yogyakarta is a small artisan silver Kotagede center, the city of Yogyakarta, so every school holiday period arrived they were hoping their products sold in large quantities.

"Items in the center of silver handicrafts purchased Kotagede more among domestic tourists and local tourists, as well as tourists student," he added.

Source: Kompas

Semarang revives Old City to lure tourists

2010-04-28T11:17:00.000+07:00

Semarang is progressing fast and developing into a leading business city, although floods caused by heavy rain and high tides affect some parts of the city.

Meanwhile, Johar Market, the largest traditional market in Central Java, is a reliable business center in the heart of the city with thousands of large and small vendors.

The fair sees performances of Chinese, Javanese and even Arabic culture and traditions.

Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang

Visitors still enjoying tourist sites

2010-04-28T10:50:00.001+07:00

Massive waves failed to discourage tourists in Yogyakarta and Bali from flocking to popular beaches Saturday.The long weekend has contributed to an increased number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting Bandung, Bali and Yogyakarta. In Bali, thousands of tourists visited popular Kuta beach trying to get a glance at the giant waves, forcing Water Tourism Safety Agency workers to repeatedly request people to remain a safe distance from the water, Antara news agency reported.

The giant waves caused widespread panic among tourists relaxing on the island's beaches Friday, and destroyed small houses on the Kedongan and Jimbaran beaches.

Austrian tourist Manfred Jelovcan was continuing his holiday at Parangtritis beach in Yogyakarta despite reports of massive waves devastating southern coastal areas in Java, Bali and Sumatra. ""We love the sea so we take every chance we have to go to Parangtritis beach,"" Jelovcan, who lives in Semarang, said Saturday.

On Saturday more than 800 people flocked to Parangtritis beach, a large jump from the average of 500 visitors. However, according to Hadi, a ticket seller at the beach, there were not as many visitors as during other public holidays.

""If there had not been reports of massive waves, the number of visitors might have increased by four times the usual number. These massive waves are an annual phenomenon and there is no need for such fear,"" he said Saturday.

Meanwhile, due to the public holiday, most hotels in Yogyakarta are fully booked.

Melia Purosani hotel's public relations officer, Diyah Fatmawati, said 250 of the hotel's 280 rooms were in use, with the remaining rooms still being repaired following the May 27 earthquake last year.

""All of the 250 rooms were fully booked from Thursday until Sunday,"" she said.

Hyatt Yogyakarta hotel was also experiencing steady business due to the long weekend. A member of the hotel's marketing team, Christoporus Yunanto, said the hotel's 260 rooms were fully booked, with 60 percent of the guests being domestic visitors and 40 percent foreign visitors.

""Yogyakarta's tourism industry has now recovered and many foreign visitors, such as Malaysians, are spending their holidays here,"" he said.

The operator of Saptapari travel agency, Fauzan, said Yogyakarta has become a popular place to hold business meetings and family gatherings.

He said the massive waves had not affected tourism in Yogyakarta. ""Yogyakarta is immune to such things. A month after the earthquake last year and Mount Merapi's eruption, tourists started returning here. As long as there are no security or terrorism issues, people will continue to visit Yogyakarta,"" Fauzan said.

The long weekend has also resulted in train company PT Kereta Api Indonesia having an increase in business. With many tourists returning to Jakarta from Yogyakarta, all tickets for economy and executive trains are sold out until Sunday.

In Bandung, hundreds of hotel rooms were booked by guests who reserved rooms well in advance.

""Three-star hotels in our company have been fully booked since Thursday and most guests are staying until Sunday,"" Dadang, a member of the management team at a popular hotel, told Antara on Saturday, adding that most guests were visiting from Jakarta.

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Yogyakarta

Holiday is full of sweet in Yogyakarta

2010-04-25T22:05:00.000+07:00