Alistair G. Speirs
My View on Views
In most countries in the world there is a very clear principal of town and city planning which allows development in specific areas and restricts in others. In some areas no development is allowed at all. In Indonesia, as in many developing countries, there is a combination of poor planning, very poor enforcement and a
The Uniqueness of Bali…Under Threat
Many years ago a very experienced and erudite editor was working for me on a regional travel magazine based in Singapore. His job was to go to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka to review hotels and write destination stories. What a great job! One day he came to me and said, “Alistair, I just
What is Today’s Bali?
This month, NOW! Publisher Alistair Speirs looks into the state of Bali today and how it compares to what is said online. Is it all true? A quick search of the internet’s 350 million Bali-related sites reveals that there are sharply contrasting views. From sun-drenched beaches to Bali’s rubbish problems, the range of opinions and
Exploring the Island
Welcome to Bali in this wonderful New Year! It’s easy to arrive and have a look around the hotel or villa, and say “yes, this will do fine!” and stay exactly where you are for a week. You can wander from the room to breakfast, from breakfast to pool, from pool to spa, then hit
The Meaning of Control
The Indonesian Government has an admirable plan to increase the prosperity of the people through increased tourism, but as I have warned in this publication (and wherever anyone will listen!) this by itself is simply not enough. As we have seen through the vastly increased arrivals here in Bali over the last ten years, more
Parking and Deliveries, The Headache Continues
For those of you who come from very disciplined countries you may be surprised that deliveries are allowed at any time of day here in Bali, no matter how small or congested the road is. Vans, trucks and huge containers are allowed to go anywhere on the island, to stop outside the shop or restaurant
What does Bali Need? Quality Vs Quantity Part 2
Last month in this magazine, and on our online platforms, I put forward the challenge to the relevant authorities of choosing mass tourism against high value, high quality tourism and was immediately challenged by some good thinking folks who correctly said high value tourism doesn’t always equate with a good flow of income to the
Quality or Quantitiy?
It’s high season here in Bali and that means people, lots of them, and people means cars, and buses, and motorbikes. Do we really want them? Is the Bali infrastructure ready for them? Sadly the answer is a resounding, total ‘NO’. Why are they coming then? Well of course it’s everybody’s right to have a
An Evolving Culture
One of the things that makes Balinese culture so sustainable is its flexibility and adaptability. It is not a rigid culture, intent Ghormenghast style, on preserving rituals in stone at all costs, but allows change to permeate and move forward. This is reflected in Balinese dance, dress and architecture which I can see and (to some
The Sea is our Life
Many years ago an intrepid adventurer called Thor Heyerdhal mounted an amazing expedition to cross the pacific on a raft called the “Kon-Tiki” to prove that people from South America, Peru in this instance, could have crossed the thousands of miles of ocean on rafts made with the basic technology of the time. He made
Staying Sustainable in Bali
Sustainability is one of the buzz words in business these days and it certainly should be . It’s closely linked to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) but not quite the same . CSR can be exercised by engaging with third parties who benefit from your company’s assistance (for example Ikea’s great program to put septic tanks
A Life of Luxury
Everyone has a different vision of luxury: some like beautiful suites in elegant hotels, with fine linens and top quality amenities; others like personal service with butlers on call 24/7; others like privacy, with no intrusions into their reverie; perhaps everyone likes good food and wine as a symbol of “the good life”. I suppose
Well, Well, Well. What’s All This Then?
What is this strange thing called “wellness”? Is it the state of being healthy in body and mind (as a result of deliberate effort), as one definition would have it? Or is it an approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life, as opposed to emphasizing the treatment of diseases, as another definition
