https://www.scmp.com/rss/322272/feed The Go-Asia series offers a quick update on some of the attractive destinations in Asia for travel and investment, such as Malaysia and Vietnam. Topics covered include economic development, business environment, investment opportunity and the property market. The series is also packed with useful information for both business and leisure visitors; such as city life, arts and culture, transportation, hotels, foods and restaurants. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Bali is a magnet for sun lovers, adventure seekers and those who just want to get away from it all. It’s just a five-hour flight from Hong Kong, and is also the favoured destination for Australians. The island’s economy is reliant on tourism and this January alone saw about 460,000 tourist arrivals – a 31.4 per cent increase from January 2016, according to the Bali Bureau of Statistics. Bali fell victim to terrorism in 2002 and 2005, which affected the tourism sector, but the “Island of Gods”... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/2078685/island-gods-bali-welcomes-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/2078685/island-gods-bali-welcomes-more?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Mar 2017 06:07:52 +0000 When Canadian expatriate Steve Munroe co-founded a start-up business in Bali in 2013, he conceded that the infrastructure was a bit dodgy. Four years on, slow internet speeds and limited mobile phone coverage are a thing of the past. He says that the growing tribe of “digital nomads” can run just about any kind of enterprise with confidence from Bali – and the success of his own venture, a co-working space called Hubud in Ubud, is testament to that. Hubud was the first of about eight co-working... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/2078684/living-bali-dream-digital-nomads-find?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/2078684/living-bali-dream-digital-nomads-find?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Mar 2017 06:04:17 +0000 It’s easy to see why Bali is one of the most popular overseas wedding destinations for Hongkongers. The picturesque island allows for dreamy wedding venues in spectacular locations, where after the nuptials, couples and their besties can stay on to enjoy a tropical holiday together. Compared to Hong Kong’s prices, it can also be cheaper to fly to Bali and host an event with all the trimmings. But according to Sonya Yeung, a Hong Kong-based destination wedding specialist who has arranged many... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/2078682/romantic-getaways-bali-has-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/2078682/romantic-getaways-bali-has-all?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Mar 2017 05:58:35 +0000 While Bali is known as a top beach resort destination in the Asia-Pacific, it has also become a popular meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) location, as evidenced by the increasing number of international and regional events held over the past few years. Bali is standing firm as one of the most preferred MICE destinations in the region, thanks to its complete facilities, accessibility, and government support, in addition to direct flights from most major cities in the... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920081/balis-hotels-have-played-key-role-making?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920081/balis-hotels-have-played-key-role-making?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Mar 2016 01:30:00 +0000 Bali has attracted a host of nicknames down the years as generation after generation of visitors have discovered one of the most magical islands in the entire Indonesian archipelago. Variously called The Morning of the World, The Emerald Isle and The Island of the Gods, Bali has a vast array of attractions. Fringed by golden-sand beaches lapped by rolling waves, infused with Hindu culture and age-old traditions, watched over by mountains and carpeted with stunning rice terraces, Bali is... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920070/bali-continues-dazzle-visitors-festivals-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920070/bali-continues-dazzle-visitors-festivals-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Mar 2016 01:24:55 +0000 It's never been easier to get to Bali, with an abundance of cheap deals on offer to the travelling public eager to get a taste of the legendary island's charms. Airlines flying non-stop between Hong Kong International Airport and Denpasar include Garuda Indonesia, Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines. However, cheaper fares can be found aboard low-cost carriers Tigerair, Jetstar and AirAsia. While these airlines' flights might take longer - flying via hubs in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore - their... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920069/budget-airlines-ensure-abundance-cheap-deals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920069/budget-airlines-ensure-abundance-cheap-deals?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Mar 2016 01:24:54 +0000 What could be more romantic on that special day than to arrive at a wedding pavilion on the back of a pachyderm, chauffeured by a mahout wearing a crisp white cap and tunic and wrapped in an exotic sarong, while being escorted by lovely young attendants wearing beautiful headdresses and exotic Balinese garb? And you can do this to the accompaniment of musicians playing gamelan gongs. Such weddings can be organised at several venues in Bali, and one of the best is the Elephant Safari Park Lodge... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920078/tie-jumbo-style-knot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920078/tie-jumbo-style-knot?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Mar 2016 01:24:54 +0000 Bali has worked its charm on countless travellers from near and far ... now even US presidential hopeful Donald Trump is smitten. Announcing construction of a six-star luxury resort and residential development on the island's southwest coast - Trump Hotel Collection's first resort in Asia - billionaire Donald Trump described Bali as "one of the best resort and residential destinations globally". The planned property will provide large suites and villas with world-class service. The prospect of... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920076/balis-luxury-properties-continue-draw-buyers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920076/balis-luxury-properties-continue-draw-buyers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Mar 2016 01:24:54 +0000 Bali offers a mind-boggling array of accommodation. Apart from massive resorts with several hundred rooms, there are also small family-run homestays, which accommodate guests within the confines of traditional Balinese courtyard homes. And everything in between. The advantage of the larger resorts is that they can offer more in the way of facilities and activities. At smaller properties, such activities might only be offered once or twice a week. Smaller properties might lack the wide selection... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920100/bali-offers-mind-boggling-array?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920100/bali-offers-mind-boggling-array?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Mar 2016 01:24:53 +0000 After spending three years as executive chef at the Alila Manggis hotel in the village of Candidasa in eastern Bali, Penelope Williams decided to strike out on her own and open her own restaurant. Williams didn't want to open any restaurant - she wanted to open one that served authentic Balinese cuisine based on homestyle cooking. She accompanied fellow chefs to their villages, where she learned the recipes and cooking techniques of Balinese cuisine in the homes and temples of villagers. There's... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920080/its-worth-trip-bali-asli-restaurant-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-bali/article/1920080/its-worth-trip-bali-asli-restaurant-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Mar 2016 01:24:52 +0000