T

he Tourism Ministry has allocated Rp 6 billion (US$420,000) in emergency funds to mitigate the impact of the eruption of Mount Agung on tourism in Bali and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

“The funds will not be allocated to each province, but we will initiate programs so that tourism in Bali and NTB can get back to normal,” an official from the ministry, I Gde Pitana, said after a coordinating meeting in Mataram on Sunday.

He said the emergency funding was allocated because Bali and NTB were areas prioritized as tourist locations. The Mt. Agung eruption, which disrupted flights in the two provinces, has led to a decline in the number of tourists visiting the areas.

Pitana hoped all parties involved in tourism could work together to assist tourists who remained in the two areas despite the eruption.

He said clear information was a priority in an emergency situation. “The only area that must be avoided is within a radius of 12 kilometers from the center of the eruption.” Pitana added.

“It is safe outside that zone. We need to tell tourists that so they don’t worry about traveling here,” he added.