Bali News

In Gianyar, community of tourism enterpeneurs expressed commination to terrorist operatives involved in bomb explosions in Jakarta. The latest situation of Bali tourism which has just recovered from the latest downturn was blown away together with the victims of the incident.

Chairman of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) Gianyar Chapter, Dewa Gede Arimbawa, said that there is a kind of trauma among tourism enterpreneurs on potential downturn resulted by terror attacks. Learning from the experience, previous incidents resulted in approximately 25-30% decrease of tourist arrivals. Therefore it was understandable that tourism enterpreneurs were very concern about the latest terror attacks at JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton in Jakarta.

Fortunately so far there has no report of cancellation made by tourists scheduling visit to Gianyar. However, in Bangli, hundreds of European tourists cancelled their visit to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kintamani. Cancellations were innitiatedy by travel warning issued by the government of a number of countries. No one can precisely predict on how long the situation will last. At the moment, the main concern of tourism enterpreneurs is the security of Bali.

Police Commander of Klungkung Regency, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Moch. Yudi Hartanto told the press that he closely monitor situation in the area under his responsibility. Whilst so far there have been no intelligence report which requires police force to implement extra response, police remains at 24 hours allert. Hartanto confirmed that even before the lastest bomb explosion in Jakarta, his team work at 24 hours basis. “We continuously conduct regular patrol. In response to latest situation, we will increase its frequency”, he said.

Patrol also includes amusement centers, tourism objects, and accommodation facilities. More than increasing frequency of patrol and increasing level of alertness, the traffic force of Klungkung police headquarter also scans motor cycles travelling in the area. Sweeping was also conducted in Buleleng, the north coast of Bali. In Buleleng, in addition to sweeping police also increase security mionitoring at tourism centers such as Lovina, Pemuteran, Tejakula, Sukasada, and Singaraja. Police also sweeps people entering Bali through mice path such as traditional port of Sangsit and Pegametan as well as cargo port of Celukan Bawang.

Head of Operation of Buleleng Police Headquarter, Commissioner Dewa Putu Artha told the press that monitoring of vital objects in Buleleng has been increased. The operation involved all district police stations. “Sweeping was conducted to anticipate strangers entering Bali through Buleleng”, Dewa Arta said.