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Tourism in the red zone: BNPB defends disaster mitigation efforts
The government has defended its efforts to deal with disaster threats in priority tourist destinations, some of which lie in so-called red zones, or areas highly prone to natural catastrophes like earthquakes and tsunamis.
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Spectacular view: Mandalika boasts a long, wide beautiful white sand beach facing the glistening Indian Ocean against a background of green hills and a mesmerizing landscape. (Tourism Indonesia/-)
The government has defended its efforts to deal with disaster threats in priority tourist destinations, some of which lie in so-called red zones, or areas highly prone to natural catastrophes like earthquakes and tsunamis.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Agus Wibowo noted on Wednesday that the government – through the agency – had established the Disaster Safety Tourism Program to ensure safety from natural disasters in tourist destinations.
“The key element is the tourists’ understanding on disaster threats, the region’s emergency facilities, risk governance and risk management,” he told The Jakarta Post.
Agus pointed to Cekposisi, a smartphone app that informs users on disaster risks and alerts them to imminent threats.
“Currently, the application is available only in Bali, but it could be introduced in other areas too,” he said.
He made the statement in response to a claim by human rights research group hakasasi.id manager Daywin Prayogo that there was no comprehensive disaster mitigation plan in the country’s popular tourist destinations.
Daywin conveyed his criticism during a public discussion on environmental rights organized by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) on Tuesday.
