Italy downgrades its travel warning

JAKARTA: The Italian government downgraded on Thursday its travel warning from discouraging visits to Bali to a travel advisory urging its citizens to exercise maximum prudence and caution during their stay in the country's prime tourist destination.

The latest travel advice was issued after the Italian government considered the positive beginning of the investigations into the Bali bombing attacks and increased reinforcement of police controls, with greater protection for the main tourist zone, according to a statement made available to the Jakarta Post on Thursday.

However, it also stressed that there was no criteria to measure unpredictable acts of terrorism and the vulnerability of certain places.

The travel advisory was also issued in the context of various initiatives aimed at supporting Indonesia's effort to get back on track and strengthen its relations and ties with Italy, the statement said.--JP