Don't cry Bali<\/p>\n
Glan Iswara
\nChristchurch, New Zealand<\/p>\n
\"Why did they bomb Bali? Why Bali?\" For the tourism-reliant
\nBalinese these questions are significant. For example, a taxi
\ndriver who usually waits for passengers at Ngurah Rai Airport in
\nBali, sadly said: \"After the bombs in October 2002, tourism in
\nBali was quiet. I and other taxi drivers have been making efforts
\nto increase our service to attract tourists (by word of mouth) to
\nreturn to Bali.\"<\/p>\n
Tourists will return to Bali for its idyllic beaches and lush
\ntropical forests as much for the friendliness of the Balinese
\nthemselves. But now, for the second time, the island has suffered
\nattacks.<\/p>\n
The question is \"why?\" Why did they bomb the Island of the
\nGods, where four million residents are reliant on tourism? Some
\nargue the attacks targeted Western tourists, but Australian Prime
\nMinister John Howard said the attacks could be aimed at creating
\ninstability in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
It is evident that targeting tourists or the tourism industry
\nis a deliberate act that helps terrorists achieve several goals.
\nPerhaps they sought publicity or economic disruption or are
\nideologically opposed to tourism.<\/p>\n
Some scholars suggest that travellers may have been targeted
\nbecause they are perceived as ambassadors for their countries.
\nWhen tourists are victimized, the media magnifies the situation,
\ngrabbing international attention.<\/p>\n
The tourist's country of origin becomes involved in the
\nsituation and the subsequent involvement of other countries
\nintensifies the pressure on the government to which the
\nterrorists are sending their message. The widespread media
\nattention focused on the terrorists' political views also
\nconfirms the usefulness of tourists to terrorists.<\/p>\n
Tourism symbolizes capitalism, and state-sponsored tourism
\nrepresents the government to many people, so an attack on tourism
\nsymbolizes an attack on the government terrorists oppose.
\nTourists may also be deemed to be legitimate targets in
\ngenerating political instability where governments have sought to
\ngenerate economic activities and infrastructure based on the
\ntourism industry.<\/p>\n
Whatever the motives behind the attacks, violence in its
\nvarious forms has caused serious declines in tourist arrivals and
\nin some cases has decimated tourism markets targeted by
\nterrorists. Tourism and international travel are sensitive
\nindustries, highly dependent on peace and security. As a result
\nof the news media's improved ability and willingness to cover
\nmore violence than ever before, tourists' perceptions have begun
\nto change, so that safety is more of an issue in choosing a
\nholiday destination.<\/p>\n
Tourists may alter their destination choice or modify their
\nitinerary as a form of protective behavior. Alternatively, they
\nwill continue with their travel plans, acquiring information on
\nterrorism, political turmoil, crime and other risks at their
\ndestination. Such market behavior affects the trend of recovery
\npatterns of tourist destinations.<\/p>\n
How long will it take for Bali's tourism industry to recover?
\nOr will Bali be forgotten as a tourist destination?<\/p>\n
Since tourists' collective memory is relatively short,
\nviolence occurring at tourist destinations at infrequent
\nintervals has a negative impact for only a short period. In
\ncontrast, acts that occur in rapid succession, or constantly,
\nhave a serious negative effect for as long as they continue.<\/p>\n
Three years after the first bombings in 2002 tourist arrivals
\nto Bali were on the rise, although they had not reached the peak
\nof pre-2002. These latest attacks could, sadly, cause a drop in
\nthe number of international tourist arrivals to Bali.<\/p>\n
Theorists can argue among themselves about the recovery of a
\ntourist destination that has suffered terrorist attacks, but the
\nBalinese people will continue to suffer. Even if the taxi driver
\nat Bali's airport, for example, is aware that world leaders
\nhave shown their support for Bali and reacted with anger to the
\nrecent bombings that is not enough in the coming days, when he
\nrealizes he is essentially unemployed.
\nOnly the people of Bali know why they cry -- because they are
\naware of the terrible price they will pay for the terrorists'
\nevil deeds.\"Don't cry Bali, the world won't forget you. Believe
\nme!\".<\/p>\n
The writer is a columnist and journalist who is currently
\nundertaking postgraduate studies at Lincoln University, New
\nZealand on \"economics, tourism and terrorism\".<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dont-cry-bali-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}