On the 10th of December 2024, two tourists were killed by a falling tree in Bali’s world-famous Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest.
In light of the recent tragedy, leaders have come together to discuss how top attractions in the province can keep tourists and visitors safer during their vacations and day trips.
Officials from the Bali Tourism Office have been carrying out site visits and spot checks at some of Bali’s most popular tourist attractions to ensure that all safety protocols are being adhered to.
Speaking to reporters, the Acting Deputy for Marketing of the Ministry of Tourism, Made Ayu Marthini, explained that the monitoring mission was also a formal response to the Circular Letter of the Minister of Tourism Number SE/1/PP.03.00/MP/2024 dated 4th December 2024 concerning the Implementation of Safe, Comfortable, and Enjoyable Tourism Activities for Tourists in Bali during the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year holidays.
Marthini explained, “The Minister of Tourism issued the Circular Letter which was delivered to all provinces in Indonesia to ensure that because this is the end-of-year holiday season, there is Christmas, so as to ensure how tourism is comfortable, clean and enjoyable.”
Issuing comment on the Monkey Forest tragedy for the first time, Marthini told reporters, “It is indeed nature that cannot be avoided, but what can be done is to ensure that Monkey Forest is ready and has standard operating procedures and security, after the incident it was immediately closed, that is right in our opinion.”
Marthini is calling on all tourism attraction managers to go above and beyond in terms of safety planning and disaster management “to ensure that this does not happen again there or in other places. We at the center will immediately coordinate with the Provincial and Regency Tourism Offices.”
The Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, also joined Made Ayu Marthini on her site visits.
Pemayun told reporters that standard operating procedures (SOPs) must be drawn up, clearly defined, and rigorously implemented at Bali’s top attractions.
After visiting the Bali Reptile Park on his spot checks around the island, Pemayun was satisfied that the attraction had been operating as it should.
He told reporters, “Of course, we do not want there to be incidents that make tourists unsafe and uncomfortable. But, what is clear is that the readiness is there, the SOP is running, the infrastructure is safe and clean.”
With Christmas over, all eyes are now on the New Year holidays in Bali. With the island experiencing one of the worst monsoon seasons in recent history, leaders across agencies are working to ensure that residents and tourists are able to move around the island easily and enjoy the biggest parties of the year safely.
Marthini told reporters in Denpasar on 27th December that with an upsurge in tourist arrivals due in the coming days, all government agencies are working together to ensure that the public holiday is a success.
She called for all tourism operators in Bali to adhere to the guidance outlined in the Government’s Circular Letter issued on the 4th of December to guarantee a smooth sailing New Year’s Eve holiday.
Marthini explained “Coordination needs to be done, so that all stakeholders, including the security and weather sectors in Bali are better informed because Bali is the locomotive of Indonesian tourism and we want to ensure [success] because there are many activities and visitors both internationally and domestically this week.”
Marthini also called for tourists to play an active role in ensuring safety, security, and comfort during the New Year public holiday and throughout this monsoon season.
She told reporters, “Tourists can see the weather situation, what time it is possible [to travel], if not wait until it is sunny again, when they get [to their destination] check with management to see if there are any operational standards, whether there are umbrellas or shelters or whether there are tourism police.”
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