Bali And Australia Team Up To Prioritize Tourist Safety In Natural Disasters 

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The relationship between Bali and Australia is one of strength, cooperation, and generosity.

As Australian tourists remain the most frequent international arrivals on the island, officials are working together to better protect tourists and citizens.

Officials from the Bali Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the Australian Parliament have gathered to discuss the province’s regional disaster control and response measures.

The meeting saw officials from the Bali Provincial Government, the Australian Government, and local natural disaster agencies come together in Denpasar to discuss existing disaster management systems and where improvements can be made. 

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While thankfully not too common of an occurrence, natural disasters are a huge risk in Bali.

Sitting right on the Ring of Fire and home to active volcanoes, eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, and landslides are all real threats to the island. 

Made Rentin, the Chief Executive of the BPBD Bali, told reporters that the visit from the Austrian Government was an important moment to strengthen existing ties between the province and the country.

Together, they explored ways in which disaster management and preparedness can be developed for the betterment of all.

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The Australian Government’s Siaga Saga Program, which translates to mean ‘standby,’ has been providing essential support for Bali for years.

Rentin told reporters, “Through innovations such as the Disaster Preparedness Certification (SKB) and the Bali Tsunami Warning System (BTEWS), we continue to be committed to building strong and effective preparedness.”

Rentin emphasized to reporters that as a province, Bali has an enduring commitment to maintaining the safety and comfort of all visitors on the island, especially Australian tourists who have made Bali their home away from home. 

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Joshua Wilson, a representative of the Australian Parliament, explained that it is important to maintain the programs and partnerships.

He said, “This partnership is very important because we are aware that disaster privation is crucial.”

The representatives for Australia expressed their gratitude to the Bali Provincial Government for successfully integrating cultural values and local wisdom into the disaster preparedness programs for maximum impact. 

The meeting is a timely one. While Bali’s rainy season lingers on, the risk of flooding and landslides is still ever present.

Earthquakes and volcano eruptions could happen at any time and have created travel chaos for tourists in the past.

This is why tourists visiting Bali from any country must have fully comprehensive travel insurance. It is essential tourists read their policies in detail, even the fine print, before traveling to understand what is and isn’t covered in the event of a natural disaster. 

While the Bali Disaster Management Agency and embassies will always be on hand to support tourists, those who need to recuperate financial and material losses in the event of a natural disaster can only achieve this through an insurance policy. 

In 2024, Bali wants to welcome even more Australian tourists to the island. Meetings like that between the Bali Disaster Management Agency and the Australian Government serve to strengthen ties and help boost public confidence in travel to the island. 

In December, the Acting Governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, met with Australian Consul General, HE Jo Stevens, to discuss the future of the friendship between Bali and the land down under. 

The pair discussed, amongst other things, the introduction of the new tourism tax that will come into effect on the 14th of February, 2024.

The Acting Governor called on the Austrian Government to help socialize the new levy with Aussie tourists to ensure that everyone is on board with the new system before it is launched. 

Acting Governor Jaya told reports afterward, “We hope that the Australian Consul General can help us in conducting outreach to Australian citizens regarding the implementation of this levy.”

“We have prepared the procedures and systems, and we ask for assistance so that Australian citizens will travel to Bali understand the application of these levies.”