Ministry of Tourism and Korean Embassy Discuss "Travel Advisory" Issue Involving Bali
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Tourism, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Indonesia, has discussed the issue regarding the issuance of a travel advisory by local authorities that included Bali in its narrative.
In an official statement confirmed in Jakarta on Tuesday, the Ministry of Tourism stated that it had requested clarification on the matter. The outcome of the meeting was that the Embassy of the Republic of Korea expressed an apology and explained that the previous travel advisory post occurred due to an oversight by the Consul General of the Republic of Korea when responding to questions from its citizens regarding several criminal cases in Bali.
The advisory was intended as a precautionary step for South Korean citizens planning to visit, without the aim of damaging Bali’s image as a tourist destination.
Going forward, the Embassy also stated that it will coordinate with the Indonesian government regarding the dissemination of sensitive information, as well as provide explanations to media in the Republic of Korea about the actual conditions of Bali’s tourism.
In response, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana stated that the government will continue to welcome tourists from Korea.
In efforts to strengthen destination security, the Ministry of Tourism continues to coordinate with the Provincial Government of Bali and the Indonesian National Police. Measures taken include periodic risk assessments in hotels, entertainment venues, and tourist destinations, in accordance with the security management standards set by the Police.
The Ministry of Tourism also encourages tourism industry players to strengthen guest verification systems, including ensuring that reporting of foreign nationals’ data is carried out in an orderly and integrated manner.
These steps aim to accelerate responses to potential incidents in the field.
Law enforcement is also strengthened through crackdowns on traffic violations, including the rental of motor vehicles to foreign nationals without official permits.
The Ministry of Tourism emphasises its commitment to continue strengthening collaboration with local governments, security apparatus, industry players, and local communities such as banjar in Bali. This synergy is expected to build a comprehensive, community-based destination security system.
The Indonesian government is fully committed to maintaining Bali as a safe, comfortable, and world-class tourist destination. Tourists are urged to utilise the official services provided by the government while in Indonesia.