Denpasar (Antara Bali) - The
Ministry of Tourism has stated that, in general, the tourism in Bali is
normal despite the volcanic activity of Mount Agung in Karangasem
Disitrict, which is now on alert.
"Tourism activities in Bali are still normal," Deputy Minister for
Overseas Tourism Development Marketing, I Gde Pidana, stated here on
Thursday.
He added that there was no decrease in the number of passenger
arrivals, especially at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.
According to him, the ministry, along with the Tourism Office,
provides updates every day on the volcanic activities of Mount Agung on
the Ministry of Tourism page.
"If necessary, we can issue official statements every six hours,
three hours, or even hourly," he remarked, adding that the information
released by the ministry was honest and accountable, with accurate and
up-to-date data, based on scientific facts obtained from official
sources such as the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
The government also delivers accurate information on Mount Agung to
partners and the international community through 19 overseas tourism
representative offices.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG)
has previously issued a statement that the insecure area was 9
kilometers from the summit crater of Mount Agung, with an extension of
12 kilometers.
Pitana explained that tourists need to understand that they still
can enjoy Bali, as areas outside these zones are considered safe.
Ten airports have been prepared to anticipate the eruption. They are
Juanda Airport (Surabaya, East Java), Sultan Hasanuddin (Makassar,
South Sulawesi), Lombok Praya Airport (Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara),
Adisoemarmo (Solo, Central Java), Pattimura (Ambon, Maluku),
Blimbingsari (Banyuwangi, East Java), Sepinggan (Balikpapan, East
Kalimantan), Kupang Airport (East Nusa Tenggara, Sam Ratulangi (Manado,
North Sulawesi), and Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta).
"We have been coordinating with the Ministry of Transportation. We
will do a mitigation and guarantee the comfort and security of all the
people," he asserted.(WDY)
Tourism In Bali Safe: Official
Jumat, 29 September 2017 6:45 WIB