Bali is considered one of the safest tourist destinations in the world.
In this world, there are destinations that tourists are advised not to visit for safety reasons, and others that holidaymakers have issues with because they require a series of strict safety measures to adhere to if they dare to make the trip.
In Bali, travel safety advice has always been very simple and straightforward, but with no major incidents reported in the last month, what has caused the Bali Sun Travel Safety Index to drop?
The Bali Sun Traveler Safety Index is a tool available to all visitors in Bali to assess in real time how safe the island feels. Created with our partners over at Travel Off Path, the Bali Sun Traveler Safety Index uses real-time, subjective user feedback to create safety scores for every destination in the world.
The Travel Safety Index uses a Hybrid Verification Model, a proprietary algorithm that calculates real-time feedback based on recency.
Every single data trend is subject to a Mandatory 24-Hour Editorial Audit. This means that real humans (e.g., our editorial team) review data spikes every single day to ensure that any anomalies, such as bot attacks or misinformation, are filtered out before they affect the final safety grade.
Over the last week, we have seen the Bali Sun Traveler Safety Index drop from a stable 82 to an ‘elevated’ 74. There have been no major natural disasters that have impacted tourists, there has been no major criminal activity, but the reason for the drop in the safety rating is the increased number of reports of scams.
This is a serious issue, but not one that would require tourists to change their travel plans. The Bali Sun Traveler Safety Index reports a range of crimes and safety violations, including check theft, armed robbery, assault, harassment, discrimination, drugs, transport issues, civil unrest, and active conflict. Since the tool was launched, scams have consistently been the most reported safety violation experienced by tourists in Bali.
Scams are a serious issue and can cause travelers in Bali major headaches and costly problems. Scams in Bali range from the ‘classic’ money exchange scam, through to rogue taxi operators, to fake villas. This is why taking out fully comprehensive travel insurance prior to traveling to Bali is vitally important.
In the event that a tourist has booked a fake villa, for example, travel insurance providers can jump in to help mitigate the situation.
Leaders in Bali are also doing their part in cracking down on scams. As Bali is set to welcome more than 7.5 million international tourists this year, leaders are committed to ensuring that the island is as safe as possible for everyone.
New policies have been brought into effect to help crack down on fake and illegally operating private rental villas in Bali. New policies have also been introduced to help crack down on illegal money-changing outlets and money exchange scams once and for all.
Tourists traveling to Bali need to adjust their plans to mitigate the risk of scams, but it is certainly important to do research and opt for reputable and well-reviewed providers.
For example, choosing to exchange cash at a bank, taking cash out at an ATM, or chasing money at an outlet approved by Bank Indonesia is the best way to stay safe against these kinds of scams.
Booking accommodation through reputable and registered platforms is also another way to minimize the risk of being scammed. It’s also important to check whether bookings are ATOL protected.
Booking private drivers based on personal recommendations or verified reviews is also a smart move. It’s important to agree on a fee before traveling, too. Booking taxis via online apps like GoJek and Grab is advisable, and it is essential to activate all safety features available.
In the event of a crime or being scammed, tourists are urged to contact Bali Police directly on 110 or visit the nearest police station in person immediately.
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