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Nothing to fear in Bali, says government
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Tourism Minister Arief Yahya urged domestic and foreign tourists to not generalize that the whole island as on alert, saying that there are many destinations that remain safe to visit. (Shutterstock/File)
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mid the uncertainty over Mount Agung’s eruption, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya says the safety status in Bali is normal and safe for visitors.
"As previously conveyed by Maritime Affairs Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Bali is normal except for a 6- to 10-kilometer radius from Mt Agung’s peak, which is still on alert," Arief told a press conference at the Tourism Ministry’s office on Thursday, as quoted by kompas.com.
Earlier this month, Luhut announced that Bali was safe for tourists. The update was based on research by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry's Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG), the ministry that is overseen by Luhut.
Although Mt. Agung is still emitting tiny amounts of volcanic ash, Luhut said it was being pushed eastward by the wind. Based on the calculations, the government confirmed that flights to and from Bali are safe.
Read also: Bali prepares complimentary transportation, rooms if Mt. Agung erupts
"Should the wind blow west, there will be a NOTAM [Notice To Airmen] and that is very common everywhere, and there is already a security procedure," Luhut said at his own press conference on Dec. 15 that was replayed on Thursday.
"Other regions in Bali are deemed normal. Bali's status for tourism is safe, except for the limited radius," Arief added.
He urged domestic and foreign tourists not to generalize that the whole island was on alert, saying that there are plenty of destinations that remain safe to visit.
Tourism in Bali has dropped dramatically since the increase in volcanic activity in the Karangasem regency on Sept. 22.
Several countries have also issued travel warnings about the resort island, which resulted in the number of tourists visiting Bali plunging.
China, for example, issued a travel warning that is applicable until Jan. 4.
Bali is estimated to have lost a million tourist visits amid fears of Mount Agung’s eruption, with the Bali Tourism Agency estimating a loss of approximately Rp 750 million (US$52,500) each day. (liz/kes)
