THE Association of the Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA) West Java Chapter has temporarily stopped selling Mount Tangkuban Perahu, one of Bandung’s key natural attractions, due to safety concerns and an unresolved dispute.
The decision was made following a conflict between the local community and the company managing the attraction, Graha Rani Putra Persada.
In an expression of unhappiness, the local community blockaded the park entrance from August 20-22. Although the park reopened on August 23, talks between the management and the community have not resulted in an agreement.
At the same time, the volcano is increasing in activity. The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has upgraded its warning status from Normal to Alert, and is not allowing travellers to get close to the mountain’s crater, its main attraction.
“ASITA has issued a recommendation to members to stop selling Tangkuban Perahu temporarily, until conditions are conducive,” said ASITA West Java chairman, Herman Rukmanadi, after a meeting with the West Java Tourism Office last weekend.
Tama Indonesia Bandung managing director, Reza Novaldi, said: “Yes, we have stopped selling it temporarily because of the volcanic activity out of concern for the safety of tourists even as we wait (for the dispute) to be solved.
“In the meantime, we are offering travellers a visit to Kawah Putih.” Kawah Putih, a white crater in South Bandung, is considered a similar attraction.
Batik Holidays managing director, Maktal Hadiyat, also changed tour itineraries to include Kawah Putih. Hadiyat said: “Tangkuban Perahu and its crater is one of the main attractions in Bandung. We do hope the problem will be solved soon and that the park is better managed for the convenience of travellers, so that we can include it again in tour programmes.
“As an industry player in Bandung, I don’t want to see Java-Bali overland tour operators reducing stays in Bandung, or worse, skipping (the destination), because of the absence of Tangkuban Perahu.”
