Alistair G. Speirs
What Will Indonesia’s New Capital City Do For Bali?
The recent decision by Indonesia’s parliament to endorse and fund President Jokowi’s bold plan to create a new capital city for Indonesia in East Kalimantan sets the project firmly into gear. Welcome to “Nusantara”. Pride of place, of course, goes to Bali’s own Nyoman Nuarta who has designed the new Presidential Palace and Parliament Buildings
Bali’s Recovery: Who Said It Would Be Easy?
According to the World Bank’s 2021 Report, Indonesia’s economy actually expanded by 3,5% in 2021. Well you could have fooled Bali’s population who believe that Indonesia is on the brink of bankruptcy. It’s not. Only Bali feels like it is. The World Bank Report stated: “The Indonesian economy continued to rebound in 2021 despite some
Bali Social Restrictions to be Increased Over the Festive Season: Is It Really Necessary?
As we head quickly to the time of year when we are planning a break, preparing to add more dining pleasures and maybe even preparing a party at home, the warning bells are already ringing in the government offices… and they don’t need to be! But it looks PPKM (social restrictions) will be increased for
The Delights and Dangers of Tourism
You can listen to this article here: I have long been a huge fan and advocate of tourism, promoting it, working on branding ideas and creating programs for cities, islands and countries for years. I’ve handled PR for airlines, published inflight magazines, made post-crisis recovery programs (of which there have been too many in Indonesia-and
The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival Endures: An Interview with Janet DeNeefe
Listen to this interview with Janet DeNeefe on the ‘NOW! Indonesia with Alistair Speirs’ Podcast: Publisher Alistair interviews the Founder and Director of the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Janet DeNeefe : This is a special interview with a lady who deserves a great deal of attention at the moment, somebody who has been a resident
What Bali Needs : The Stool and Chair Theory of Survival
I have been using this very simple theory of business stability for many years to explain why I created four different aspects to my own business, but as we look at the serious challenges that Bali faces in its recovery from the pandemic, I thought “maybe we should apply the same concept to Bali?” The
An Interview with Vice Governor Cok Ace on Bali’s Tourist Recovery
Dr. Ir. Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, M.Si. commonly called Cok Ace (CA) is the Vice Governor of Bali. He has served alongside incumbent Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster, since 5 September 2018. Cok Ace has served as Regency of Gianyar Regency (2008-2013) as well as in many tourism capacities , including the Hotel and Restaurant Association (
The Decline and Replacement of Tourism in Bali
The Covid crisis has hit Bali hard and exposed something we knew to be a real possibility, an economy too dependent on a single sector. Bali’s economy was, and still is, 80-85% dependent directly or indirectly on tourism. Farmers, drivers and local shops are still dependent on tourists coming and eating, hiring buses and taxis
What is the Purpose of Art?
Jimmy Knowles, a friend of mine in Connecticut, is a sculptor and many years ago I watched in fascination as he used a crane to get a huge tree trunk into position then attacked it with a buzz–saw. “Are you serious?”I asked, “what are you doing?’” “Creating, my boy, creating!’ he said. He hacked a
A New Vision for Indonesian Tourism
This week, our Publisher Alistair Speirs takes over the airwaves and shares his thoughts and analysis of tourism, and the new vision that Bali, and in fact all of Indonesia, should embrace in order to re-open the industry in the most effective and efficient way possible going forward. Listen to Episode 11: Available on your
A Question of Identity
Who do you identify with? So many people feel close to celebrities who somehow reinforce their feelings of who they are. This often happens with singers whose lyrics resonate with the challenges and transitions in people’s lives. They know every word on their albums and you can see them singing along at concerts . Others
The Consolations of Philosophy (and Philosophers)
I know it’s all necessary and it’s for our good, but aren’t you just getting a little tired of social distancing, constant hand washing, sanitizing, isolation and masking up? The statistics which at first fascinated are now blending in to a morass of under-supply, over-capacity, under-performing, economic doom and gloom, confusion which needs balanced and
Slow Tourism: The Way of the Past…and the Future
When the way we approach our industry with the mantra ‘growth is good’, it sets us on the wrong path. Two tourism experts share how slowing down is actually the way to improve tourism. Do we really want headlines like these for our destinations? “Over tourism still threatens Angkor Wat” – Phnom Penh Post “Skip
