Don't cry Bali

Don't cry Bali

Glan Iswara
Christchurch, New Zealand

"Why did they bomb Bali? Why Bali?" For the tourism-reliant
Balinese these questions are significant. For example, a taxi
driver who usually waits for passengers at Ngurah Rai Airport in
Bali, sadly said: "After the bombs in October 2002, tourism in
Bali was quiet. I and other taxi drivers have been making efforts
to increase our service to attract tourists (by word of mouth) to
return to Bali."

Tourists will return to Bali for its idyllic beaches and lush
tropical forests as much for the friendliness of the Balinese
themselves. But now, for the second time, the island has suffered
attacks.

The question is "why?" Why did they bomb the Island of the
Gods, where four million residents are reliant on tourism? Some
argue the attacks targeted Western tourists, but Australian Prime
Minister John Howard said the attacks could be aimed at creating
instability in Indonesia.

It is evident that targeting tourists or the tourism industry
is a deliberate act that helps terrorists achieve several goals.
Perhaps they sought publicity or economic disruption or are
ideologically opposed to tourism.

Some scholars suggest that travellers may have been targeted
because they are perceived as ambassadors for their countries.
When tourists are victimized, the media magnifies the situation,
grabbing international attention.

The tourist's country of origin becomes involved in the
situation and the subsequent involvement of other countries
intensifies the pressure on the government to which the
terrorists are sending their message. The widespread media
attention focused on the terrorists' political views also
confirms the usefulness of tourists to terrorists.

Tourism symbolizes capitalism, and state-sponsored tourism
represents the government to many people, so an attack on tourism
symbolizes an attack on the government terrorists oppose.
Tourists may also be deemed to be legitimate targets in
generating political instability where governments have sought to
generate economic activities and infrastructure based on the
tourism industry.

Whatever the motives behind the attacks, violence in its
various forms has caused serious declines in tourist arrivals and
in some cases has decimated tourism markets targeted by
terrorists. Tourism and international travel are sensitive
industries, highly dependent on peace and security. As a result
of the news media's improved ability and willingness to cover
more violence than ever before, tourists' perceptions have begun
to change, so that safety is more of an issue in choosing a
holiday destination.

Tourists may alter their destination choice or modify their
itinerary as a form of protective behavior. Alternatively, they
will continue with their travel plans, acquiring information on
terrorism, political turmoil, crime and other risks at their
destination. Such market behavior affects the trend of recovery
patterns of tourist destinations.

How long will it take for Bali's tourism industry to recover?
Or will Bali be forgotten as a tourist destination?

Since tourists' collective memory is relatively short,
violence occurring at tourist destinations at infrequent
intervals has a negative impact for only a short period. In
contrast, acts that occur in rapid succession, or constantly,
have a serious negative effect for as long as they continue.

Three years after the first bombings in 2002 tourist arrivals
to Bali were on the rise, although they had not reached the peak
of pre-2002. These latest attacks could, sadly, cause a drop in
the number of international tourist arrivals to Bali.

Theorists can argue among themselves about the recovery of a
tourist destination that has suffered terrorist attacks, but the
Balinese people will continue to suffer. Even if the taxi driver
at Bali's airport, for example, is aware that world leaders
have shown their support for Bali and reacted with anger to the
recent bombings that is not enough in the coming days, when he
realizes he is essentially unemployed.
Only the people of Bali know why they cry -- because they are
aware of the terrible price they will pay for the terrorists'
evil deeds."Don't cry Bali, the world won't forget you. Believe
me!".

The writer is a columnist and journalist who is currently
undertaking postgraduate studies at Lincoln University, New
Zealand on "economics, tourism and terrorism".