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Island Aid's Response to the Global Economic Tsunami

ecobay@mac.com — 2008-10-12T23:57:28+07:00

Island Aid partners with Mentawai Sanctuary to support isolated communities. Now you can partner with Island Aid and earn enough to pay for your next surf vacation in Mentawai.

If this flash presentation is slow loading, please visit: http://www.islandaid.ws

Island Aid parther Troppodoc Awarded by the President of Indonesia

ecobay@mac.com — 2008-10-11T13:33:00+07:00

Dr Derek Allen's dedication and hard work in Nias and Telos has been recognized by the People of Indonesia. Dr Derek and his helicopter rescued an Australian surfer who had broken his neck in the Mentawai Islands in May. Read about the dramatic rescue and fundraising efforts to support Dr Derek at http://flying-doctor.collectivex.com

Global Surfer Forum - Historic Debate

ecobay@mac.com — 2008-09-25T19:24:43+07:00

This has never happened before. A no-holds-barred mud wrestle between the heavy weight world champ, Marshall D and the challenger Mudcrab C. It will make you think and shake your pre-concieved ideas about the surf industry... click this banner at your own risk.

Visit GlobalSurfers

m e n t a w a i : : f u s i o n™ Launched

ecobay@mac.com — 2008-08-11T09:05:25+07:00

m e n t a w a i : : f u s i o n™ surf vacations are a breakthrough way to experience the world's favorite surf mecca. The key is flexibility so that you can maximize your fun. Mentawai Fusion brings together features that will radically change the way you enjoy surfing the Mentawais.

One week trips or shorter* are now possible. Fly in for a big swell.
Choose a luxury surf lodge ashore or a live-aboard**.
Combine a week or more on land with a week or more on our live-aboard expedition ship**
Ship transfers or flights* - your choice
Come alone or with your family or friends. There is no minimum number for land based packages.
On-line bookings with payments by credit card or bank transfer
Extend your stay by a few days or a full week while you are in Mentawai.
In 2009 you can stay a week at Eco Bay and a week in Lances HTs Lodge
Combine any of these options for a custom made surf vacation that fits your schedule and needs.

Mentawai Sanctuary are the only company offering m e n t a w a i : : f u s i o n™ packages and the first surf travel company in Mentawai to offer on-line bookings for your convenience and security. Our system is hosted by the world's leading provider of adventure tourism booking systems "Adventure Engine".

* Subject to SMA seat availability. Extra charges may apply for passengers wishing to fly to/from Padang to Mentawai. Please contact us.
** All features are subject to availability. Live-aboard trips require a minimum of 6 persons to confirm departure.

Mentawai Government Explains Incentives for Investors

ecobay@mac.com — 2008-05-24T07:43:37+07:00

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v113680687nzj9EzA
Padang - Charter boats that do not have a license to take tourists surfing in the Mentawai Regency, West Sumatra will be controlled. In the near future, the Regional Government of Mentawai will operate patrols to check the boats that carry tourists surfing that enter the area without permission.
Head of the Department of Tourism Mentawai, Zulkarlin, said the Mentawai Regional Government will operated the patrols and control all the boats that entered. In his estimate there are about 20 ships that do not have a marine tourism license to operate in Mentawai, they only have permission from the harbour-master to navigate to Mentawai waters.
He stressed, the Mentawai Regional Government did not intend to determine a quota on the number of surfing tourists that arrive. What will be arranged is that all the (licensed) operators of marine tours will receive the same opportunity. The restrictions have been put in place to minimize the risk of collisions between one surfer and another.
"Surfing is an adventure sport but we dont want to see a uncontrolled scramble for every wave, for example if one surfing spot already has a tourist boat in place, the other tourist boats have to wait their turn," said Zulkarlin.
According to Zulkarlin, at this time there are five marine tour companies that have bu licenses to operate surfing businesses in Mentawai, they (collectively) have 30 passenger vessels taking tourists to Mentawai. Each ship pays Rp20 million per year to the Mentawai Regional Government for the moment and Rp30,000 per day for each person.
"From this surfing tourism fee, this year we aimed at an income of around Rp1,2 billion," He said. To accommodate candidates for marine tourism in Mentawai, Zulkarlin suggested that there is a need to revise the Regional Regulations No 16/2002 (PERDA No16 2002) related to marine tourism fees/retribution. "With the stage of development now, possibly this Regional Regulation should be revised, so that all candidates will be able to have the same opportunity, (providing that it is) in accordance with the rule and the current procedures," he said.

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v113680687nzj9EzA

In the meantime, the Head of the Mentawai Department of Income, Finance and Regency Assets (BPKKD), Nurdin, said that last year the fee that was deposited by the maritime tour businesses in Mentawai was around Rp500 million. The prediction is that this total will increase when all the vessels pay the fees. Nurdin estimates that, if in one year approximately 3,000 surfing tourists arrived, and if they, respectively paid Rp30,000 (per day), and most of them stay in the area for 10 days, then the total fee that could be raised, will be around Rp900 million, and that is only the fees for surfers.
For the moment, the Vessel Tax/Fee, will be about Rp600 million per annum, with the assumption, that 30 charter boats that received a license all pay Rp20 million per year. So from the surfing business sector, we can raise at least Rp1,5 billion per year. "He said, there are seven 'exclusive' wave locations where the number of visitors are managed/limited, these are Silabu, in Katiet, in Mapadegat and in Nyang Nyang."
The Mentawai Regional Government plans, said Nurdin, to divide the wave zones into three types, the exclusive zones, where there must pay the fee, the economy price zones that are allocated for beginners and the free zones, where anyone can surf without paying a fee.
In the meantime, Un Suheri (Un), Head of the Mentawai Marine Tourism Association, fully supports the Mentawai Governments plan to control surf boats arriving in Mentawai. Un says that because of the number of unlicensed vessels entering Mentawai without permission, the (licensed) surfing industry is currently depressed and operating at a loss.
The owner of PT. Saraina Koat Mentawai that has six vessels explained, that in the same period last year he had a total of 10 trips, but now he has only two trips. "If previously (each boat) could expect 15 trips a year, now they get at most 3 trips a year," he said. He estimated that proceeds from the surfing industry in Mentawai, is around Rp40 billion a year. However because of many companies that did not have permission and are not paying fees and taxes, the income that was received by the Mentawai Regional Government is not being maximized.

Lautan Megah Arrives in Padang

ecobay@mac.com — 2008-03-07T10:34:44+07:00

Lautan Megah off Katiet Saturday.

After an epic 2,500 nm delivery from Sulawesi, Island Aid's new support vessel is anchored off Muara in Padang. Mentawai Sanctuary is supporting Island Aid's isolated community initiatives in Mentawai by using this 100 ton ship to carry MS guests from Padang to the Islands weekly. Every Monday evening the vessel will depart Playgrounds area for Padang arriving early Tuesday morning. On Tuesday evening the Lautan Megah will depart Padang and arrive back in the Playground at dawn. You will maximize surf time and the schedule connects with Tiger Air's direct flights to/from Singapore midday Tuesday.

On arrival you will be greeted by our staff at the airport and then chauffeur driven to our exclusive mountain top villa estate. There is plenty of time for any last minute shopping on the way. You can then spend the afternoon by the rain fed swimming pool or relaxing on our spacious bungalow. Enjoy hot showers, wireless broadband internet access and the awesome views. You are surrounded by jungle and wildlife and the location is totally private and secure. At over 220m above sea level there is always a breeze.

Those who can't wait can head down to Air Manis beach to score some beach breaks and unwind. After sunset cocktails you will be driven to the ship for boarding. Departure will be about 8pm and 100 tons of ship will make the crossing relaxing and easy. There are no personal baggage limits so bring as many boards as you wish.

PT MWB & PT OMI Agreement Signed

ecobay@mac.com — 2008-02-28T12:02:16+07:00

Rick Cameron, Marketing Manager PT MWB and Adam Bray, Board Chairman, PT OMI, shake on the deal at Katiet.

The negotiations are over. Mentawai Sanctuary partners PT MWB have signed and agreement to manage Katiet Resort facilities for the next 25 years. Following the Katiet meeting, PT OMI's Director Delfinus Sabolak, has formally signed over management rights to PT MWB. "We want to move on now towards a positive future together" said PT OMI Komisaris Parmen said after the management contract was made public.

The resort is undergoing renovations and the partners expect to be open by the end of March.