Denpasar (Antara Bali) - A number of hotels in Bali are ready to give
discounts for tourists as one of scenarios if Mount Agung erupts that
will have impact on airport closure, Tourism Minister said.
"If (Mount Agung) erupts, people (tourists) relatively want to get
home quickly. The scenario is a big discount should be provided at the
beginning of the incident (eruption), so people do not scramble to go
home," Tourism Minister, Arief Yahya said here on Wednesday.
The minister asked the hoteliers to give a minimum of 50 percent
discount for tourists with the scenario that the tourists are on
holidays in Bali when an eruption occurs.
Some of hoteliers even ready to give 75 up to 100 percent of
discount with the scenario is to provide a discount of 100 percent on
the first day, then 80 percent to the amount of decrease in the next
days.
The discount is given until the tourists can be taken to
neighboring province of Bali to continue the journey through the nearest
airport that is not affected (by the eruption), Arief explained, adding
that the discount is provided for foreign and domestic tourists.
According to him, tourism ministry in cooperation with
Transportation Ministry and Organization of Land Transportation Owners
(Organda) will provide 700 buses to bring tourists who want to continue
their journey by land or sea.
A total of 10 alternative airports are also prepared when Mount
Agung erupts such as Soekarno Hatta Airport in Jakarta, Juanda Airport
in Surabaya, Blimbingsari Banyuwangi Airport, Adi Sumarmo Airport in
Solo, Lombok Airport, Komodo Airport, Labuan Bajo airport, Hassanudin
Airport in Makassar and Sepinggan Airport Balikpapan.
Two other airports are Sam Ratulangi in Manado and Pattimura airport in Ambon.
In addition, Arief also asked managers of tourist attractions and airlines to give discounts.
Earlier, potential guests, who had earlier made room reservations
in some 10 hotels in Badung District, Bali Province, decided to cancel
their plans.
The cancellations were made following news reports of Mount Agung
showing increase activity, I Made Badra, head of the Badung tourism
office, noted here, Friday (Oct 6).
Each hotel had received some 50 and 100 room cancellations, he said.
He, however, believed that in general, the number of tourists visiting Badung still remains stable.
Badung District, where the beaches of Kuta and Pandawa are located, is a major tourist destination in Bali.
The district has, so far, remained safe and conducive for tourists,
as it is located at a distance from Mount Agung in Karangasem District.
Earlier, Tourism Minister Arif Yahya and Bali Governor Made Mangku
Pastika had made assurance to tourists that their visit to Bali will be
safe despite the alert status of Mount Agung. (WDY)
Hotels Give Emergency Discounts Regarding Mount Agung: Tourism Ministry
Pewarta : Reported by Dewa Wiguna 12 Oktober 2017 07:33 WIB