Bali is considered to be one of the safest vacation destinations in the world. As shown by our Bali Sun Traveler Safety Index, where real travelers report their experience of safety in real time, the island remains in the green at all times.
As of this week, 100 of the island’s leading hotels hold Disaster Preparedness Certificates, giving tourists even greater peace of mind, but leaders want to see even more.
There are currently 115 hotels in Bali that hold Disaster Preparedness Certificates. These are all-star-rated hotels that are located across the island’s top resort areas.
However, there are 498 star-rated hotels and resorts registered in Bali, indicating there is still work to be done to ensure that Bali’s leading accommodation providers can deliver optimal safety services to their guests.
Disaster preparedness is a big focus point for the hospitality and tourism sector in Bali. Since the island is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and is home to two active volcanoes, eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis are ever-present threats. This is in addition to climate change triggering more extreme seasonal weather patterns, leading to both more flooding and more droughts.
Speaking to the media this week, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, said that the low number of hotels that have disaster preparedness certificates is partly due to the lack of regulations that require hotel business actors to have such certification. Sukawati, who is often known by his nickname Cok Ace, explained, “If there were mandatory regulations, it would certainly be different. Currently, it’s still advisory in nature, as there are no sanctions for hotels that don’t have disaster preparedness certificates.”
He confirmed that the PHRI Bali has been collaborating with the Bali Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to encourage hotels to participate in the disaster preparedness certification program. The certification covers various preparedness factors, from evacuation systems and rescue routes to guest handling procedures in the event of a disaster.
Cok Ace noted his personal concern for earthquakes and tsunamis, especially in resorts such as Serangan, Sanur, Kuta, Tanjung Benoa, and the emerging destinations all along the Buleleng Regency coast in North Bali, which are considered to have a high level of vulnerability.
Cok Ace shared, “What we are worried about is the potential for an earthquake to trigger a tsunami, especially for hotels in the southern region that directly face the sea.”
He highlighted how international tourists are now increasingly paying attention to safety when choosing accommodations. “Hotels that have evacuation navigation systems and disaster procedures are usually more popular with tourists because they are considered safer.”
His concern at present is that there is not yet a regulation in place that makes Disaster Preparedness Certificates mandatory for star-rated hotels or any other accommodation provider.
Cok Ace is now calling for the provincial government to establish a regulation that makes this certification an industry standard.
He concluded, “If there were already regulations requiring it, for example, through regional regulations or as a requirement for business permits in certain zones, it would certainly be more effective. Right now, we can only provide recommendations.”
Noting. “The most important thing is preparedness. Hotels in vulnerable areas must be ready in case of an emergency.”
Tourists traveling to Bali must ensure that they take out a fully comprehensive travel insurance policy to ensure that cover is provided in the event of a natural disaster. Bali tourists are encouraged to read their policy documents in full and to understand how to make a claim in the event of an emergency.
Bali tourists are also encouraged to communicate with their accommodation hosts, whether hotel guest relation teams or villa managers, to understand what safety protocols are in place and what to do in the event of an emergency.
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