Bali Tourism News

Mixed feelings amongst Bali travellers

November 10th, 2008

It appears some travellers in the Northern Territory have decided against going to Bali because of safety fears.

Others, however, are not so fazed about the possibility of retaliatory attacks after the execution of the Bali bombers.

Some backpackers relaxing by the pool at a hostel in Darwin said they would still consider travelling to Bali.
“I was there before and it’s a lovely place. And I will go back yep,” a backpacker said.

“You have security issues in every country and no matter where you go there’s always that risk.”

But, a worker at the hostel says others are concerned.

“A lot of people have changed, a lot of people have cancelled without refunds, you know, they just don’t want to go.”

The General Manager of Garuda Airline in the NT, Syahrul Tahir says some people have cancelled their flights from Darwin to Bali, but not a big number.

“I think it is not as significant as what I was expecting. Not so many people are cancelling,” he said.

Mr Tahir says the number of seats booked this month is on par with previous years.

There were mixed feelings among passengers preparing to fly out of Darwin for Bali last night at the Darwin International Airport.

Traveller, Allira Williams was feeling a bit nervous about her holiday.

“We tried to get out of it and change our flights to go to Thailand but it wasn’t so easy so we’re still going to head over and maybe just stay out of the high tourist spots,” Ms Williams said.

A Perth man said he did not intend to change his plans to fly to Bali next week.

“I’ve been to other countries where they’ve been hit by terrorist bombs and it didn’t stop me going to them,” he said.

Caroline Tetlie was intent on returning to study in Bali.

“If it happens, it happens you can’t go around being afraid,” Ms Tetlie said.

Wayan Arya Sutatnata was not worried about returning home.

“I feel safe enough to go to Bali right now,” he said.

Mr Suratnata welcomed the execution of the bombers, saying they had hurt tourism in his home town.

RDH response

The Royal Darwin Hospital’s general manager says the execution of the Bali bombers reminds staff of the horror and sadness of the attacks.

Len Notaras oversaw the city’s medical response to the Bali bombings six years ago.

“These individuals weren’t contrite individuals who regretted their behaviour, but as far as I’m concerned monsters who revelled in the pain and suffering wreaked on those occasions,” Mr Notaras said.

He says the hospital is prepared to help if called on again.

“Royal Darwin Hospital was recognised following the first and indeed the second Bali bombing and then the shooting of President Ramos Horta, as a national critical care and trauma centre.

“When Kevin Rudd said to the people of Timor that President Ramos Horta would get the best treatment Australia could provide, he was talking about Royal Darwin Hospital. We are prepared,” he said.

Source: www.abc.net.au/news

Entry Filed under: Bali Tourism News