Extra Protection Officers Deployed In Bali To Keep Tourists Safe This Festive Season

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With over one million tourists set to arrive in Bali in the coming days, officials on the island are taking safety and security seriously.

From more police on patrol to more traffic officers on the street, Bali has confirmed that everything will run as smoothly as possible this Christmas.

The Badung Regency Transportation Department has confirmed that more personnel will be stationed around key traffic routes and the regency’s top resorts over the next few weeks.

Badung Regency is home to Bali’s biggest tourist resorts, including Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, Kuta, Nusa Dua, and Uluwatu. 

Speaking to reporters, the Head of the Badung Regency Transportation Agency, A. A Ngurah Rai Yuda Darma said, “personnel strength for guarding, security, and traffic control activities in the Badung Regency area for Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024, we have deployed 164 operational officers.”

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Officers will be working around the clock to ensure that a coordinated approach is delivered across the regencies and in partnership with officers across the island more broadly.

Darma added, “The assignment of Dishub operational personnel is prepared in three shifts for each day at service posts and security protests with two people assigned to each shift. 

Officers are braced and ready for the huge influx of vehicles that will arrive on the island in the coming days.

In addition to the usual tourism traffic, the majority of domestic tourists heading to Bali arrive at the seaport of Gilimanuk and drive their vehicles from Java, making the crossing on the ferry. 

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Darma told reporters “We predict there will be an increase in traffic volume in the Kuta area and other tourist attractions in South Badung as a result of Nataru [Christmas and New Year] celebrations which has the potential to increase traffic congestion.”

With many more people on Bali’s beaches and exploring the island’s natural landscapes the provincial search and rescue teams have also committed to putting more officers on call for the duration of the festive season. 

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Bali’s Search and Rescue Officer (Barnasas) has confirmed that a Special SAR Alert will be implemented for 21 days. Scheduled for December 18, 2023 to January 7, 2024.

The Head of Denpasar Basarnas, I Nyoman Sidakarya, told reporters “Personnel and equipment are stationed at busy points such as ports, airports and tourist attractions.”

 “There is a possibility that public visits to Bali will experience a spike because it coincides with the school holidays.”

Sidakarya added. “I advise you to always update developments in the field. Report if there are problems.” 

“Respond quickly if there is a condition that endangers human life and don’t forget to take care of your health.”  

Tourists planning their Christmas and New Year vacations in Bali are reminded that many of the island’s most popular beaches are not staffed by lifeguards, nor do they have a flag system in place.

Lifeguard and Surf Rescue stations are in place across Seminyak, Legian, and Kuta Beaches, and around the hotel resorts in Sanur however, there is limited coverage in Canggu, Jimbaran, and Uluwatu.

Tourists heading to Nusa Penida are reminded to exercise extreme caution around the clifftops of the most popular viewpoints, including Kelingking Beach and Diamond Beach.

Although the crystal clear waters at Kelingking Beach and Diamond Beach look enticing, tourists are reminded that there is a powerful and deceptive undercurrent that has dragged dozens of tourists out to sea over the last year.

This has resulted in catastrophic injuries and even death. It is not recommended to swim at these two beaches. 

Tour operators across Bali are under strict instructions from the provincial government and the Bali Tourism Office to ensure that all aspects of business operations are prepared and that safety and security must remain a top priority. 

The Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun, has also confirmed that the Tourism Task Forces will be out on patrol around the island’s top destinations throughout the festive period.