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".