Remembering Bali’s Bapak Lolec, partner, mentor, cruise aficionado

Lolec is fondly remembered by former colleagues and partners as a flamboyant character.

Bob Guy, former managing director at Pacific World, now retired worked with Pak Lolec for 45 years and during that time they set up a destination management company, an inbound travel firm, a coach company and cruise ship ground handling business in Indonesia.

Guy commented: ‘He was a DMC, founded one of Bali’s first event companies and was a first mover in growing cruise tourism in Bali's ports, as well as Semarang, Lombok and Jakarta.’

Government advisor

He was often asked by the Indonesia government for input on cruise industry developments and this talented man was also one of the country’s leading artists.

According to Guy, ‘every company in the tourism business in Bali has one or more staff who were trained by Lolec and his colleagues.’

Intercruises brand in Indonesia

He led Intercruises in Indonesia from the time of Pacific World's purchase by First Choice Holidays in 2006.

Olga Piqueras, managing director of port operations at Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services described Pak Lolec as ‘a partner, mentor and inspiration for many in the industry. I will always remember him for the pride and passion for his homeland -  its natural beauty, unique culture and the kindness of the people – he wanted to share it with the world and inspired you to discover it. He was very special man in many ways, and will be sorely missed.’

Former Intercruises colleague Mark Robinson  said, ‘during the expansion of Intercruises in the Asia Pacific region in 2005 I had the pleasure to work and meet Pak Lolec who was the managing director of Pacific World in Bali and established the Intercruises brand in Indonesia.

‘Lolec was a character to say the least. He welcomed me with open arms and introduced and shared his high level connections in the goverment and opened all the doors for us to start business,’ commented Robinson.

He called Lolec ‘a kind and gentle person who was loved by all his team and was instrumental in the growth of the cruise industry and Intercruises in Bali and Indonesia.’

International traveller

Lolec travelled abroad extensively representing Bali and Indonesia at countless trade events in London, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Chicago, Las Vegas, Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami and more. 

He would attend in traditional Balinese dress and often would sketch a drawing of those he met. These drawings adorn the offices of industry leaders and travel executives all over the world, Guy said.

Little known was his support for charitable causes including several charities in Bali, schools in remote villages and orphanages in Denpasar, Gianyar Karengasem and other parts of Bali.

Royal connections

He was well connected to the Balinese royal families and often organised special events at royal palaces in Mengwi, Kerimbitan, Uluwatu and other places, with the cokorda (or prince) in attendance with a cast of 1,000 villagers and local entertainment creating many magical memories, Guy reminisced.

Pak Lolec is survived by his wife, three children and 10 grandchildren.