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Bali is safe for travelers

BALI EXPECTING STRONG SUPPORT FROM ASIA PACIFIC REGION

Given the recent actions undertaken against terrorism movements in Afghanistan many people around the world are expected to review their holiday destinations for the coming 6 months.

Bali is poised to welcome travelers from the Asia Pacific region as travel to regions further north and into Europe present security concerns. The Australian Government on the 8th of October released its travel warning for Indonesia specifically "excluding Bali". In terms of travel warnings, this translates to an expression of safety for the province of Bali.

The Australian Government has, in excluding Bali from it’s travel warning, recognized that Bali with it’s predominantly Hindu culture and isolation as an island, is a safe destination for it’s citizens.

Locally, a strongly worded release from the Governor of Bali has stated emphatically that,

• The province of Bali is absolutely safe with International visitors continuing to enjoy their holidays here without incident. Daily Life continues as normal.

• "Sweeping" actions against U.S. citizens or the citizens of any other nation can never occur in Bali. All components of Balinese society are unified in their opposition to such acts.

• Co-ordination and the necessary measures with police and security authorities are in place to ensure the continuing peace in Bali

• The governor closed with; "I am issuing this statement to clarify the current situation and to provide the necessary assurances to visitors planning a holiday in Bali.

Mr. Andrew Toth, the U.S. Consular Agent in Bali was quoted this past week in the Indonesian language Bali Post offering words of reassurance to those concerned about possible sweeping activities in Bali.

Emphasizing his belief that the Balinese categorically reject sweeping actions to remove foreigners, such as those threatened in Central Java and Jakarta, he jokingly stated, "I am convinced there will be no sweeping of foreigners in Bali. Sweeping with a broad broom, perhaps. To my knowledge, sweeping in Bali is reserved solely for cleaning temples, households or the local village banjar."

Whilst Bali is expecting strong support from the Asia Pacific region as a result of it’s safety assurances, it is also hoped that European Markets respond to the safety of Bali as a destination.

PATA Bali & NT Chapter board members today stated, "Whilst Bali will remain a safe destination, we do understand that Europeans may be reticent to travel across regions surrounding Europe to get here. However, at the moment airlines are diverting flights away from trouble regions as they have done on other occasions, ensuring that they travel through safe airspace".

PATA Bali and NT Chapter are hoping that European travelers continue to recognize Bali as the safe destination that it is.

Board Members further added that, "There is no doubt that the decision to travel will be easier for the Asian, Japanese and Australian Markets who have direct, single leg flights into Bali or one stop via Singapore and Guam. All these countries have a reputation as world leaders in regard to airport security. This will remain a key issue in travel decisions for many months to come"

This release is issued by the PATA Bali & NT Chapter Board in Bali.
PATA – Pacific Asian Tourism Association

• Sources:
  Gathering of 12 consuls and the Bupati of Badung (the chief regional government official) held on Wednesday, October 3 in Bali
  PATA Bali and NT Chapter
  The Governors Office Bali
  Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Travel Warning, 8 Oct 2001