Tourism Down in Bali After Bombings

The Indonesian island of Bali had just recoveredcheck, also under carriage metal detectors," she
from the 2002 nightclub bombings, hosting atold us.
record number of tourists in 2004, whenLeaders in the tourism industry are angered by
terrorists struck there again in October, bombingacts of terror. Bagus Sudibya, head of the Bali
two cafes. Patsy Widakuswara recently visitedtourism board, says they are committed to fight
the island. In this report, narrated by Amy Katz,them.
she says Bali, which relies on tourism as its main"We should not let [it] even happen once again in
industry, is again suffering.our country, this type of terrorism, because we
There are not many tourists in the usually vibrantknow exactly how difficult and how dangerous it
Kuta section of Bali's capital, Denpasar, in theis towards the future of our society."
wake of the bombings of two cafes there inThe Bali government says it faces another
October. A few visitors are still determined not toobstacle -- travel warnings and bans being
let the threat of terrorism spoil their vacationimposed by countries, like the U.S. and Australia.
plans.Gede Nurjaya, the head of Bali's office of tourism,
"We felt that it was still relatively safe to comeis urging those governments to send people in to
here, and it is a great spot to come on holiday,"evaluate the situation there -- before issuing
said one tourist.travel bans.
"You just take your chance anywhere really," saidThe travel warnings and bans make potential
another.visitors wary, especially because insurance
The Bali government tourism office says theagencies will not cover tourists who travel to
number of visitors dropped following the Octobercountries under travel bans.
bombings. Normally, 5,000 to 6,000 tourists visitThe two bomb attacks targeting Bali's tourists
the island each day. Now it is only about 2,000. Ithave forced the Balinese government to consider
is a big blow for a community that relies heavilyother ways to employ people -- such as
on tourism. Bali was just recovering from theagri-business. But so far there is no real plan of
2002 bombings, with a record-breaking number ofaction, and no real alternative for the tens of
tourists in 2004.thousands of Balinese people who rely on tourists
The tourism industry in Bali is making every effortfor their livelihood.
to ensure safety. Security checks and extraNi Made offers massages on the beach to
officers are now standard operating procedure attourists. "I only hope for peace," she says. "I'm
malls and hotels.worried about a third bomb, if it happens, I don't
Dewi Karmawan is the Manager of Marketingthink Bali will survive."
Communications at the Hard Rock Hotel, one ofMany others share her concern. In this devout
the largest American hotels in Bali. She says theHindu province of Indonesia, the people's daily
property has three canine units and 48 securityprayers are for peace and safety.
officers. "And also we do bag check, also body