With Bali on high alert following volcanic activity at Mount Agung, a Ministry of Tourism-funded taskforce has been formed to handle tourist-related services especially in times of crises.
Spearheaded by the Bali Government Tourism Office and with Bali Tourism Board (BTB) acting as deputy chair, the Bali Tourism Hospitality Task Force pledges to be the authoritative source of information and updates on issues related to Bali, effective October 5.
The task force will also comprise representatives from the Indonesia Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) Bali, Travel Agents Association (ASITA) Bali, and Bali Tourism Institute (STP Bali).
Ida Bagus Agung Partha, chairman of BTB, said: “The formation of the task force has taken the momentum of Mount Agung’s (current activity), but it will not be in existence solely for the issue. The task force will continue to tackle issues related to Bali (such as the closure of the airport as a result of the eruptions of Mount Raung in East Java and Mount Rinjani in Lombok in 2015).”
BTB’s website www.BaliTourismBoard.or.id will now act as the main website through which the task force will disseminate the latest updates. Enquiries with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism (www.Indonesia.travel) and Bali Government Tourism Office (www.disparda.baliprov.go.id) websites will be directed to the BTB website.
Official statements on crises will be jointly issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Bali Government Tourism Office and Bali Tourism Board, all under the task force.
