Restoring Bali's tourism image

Restoring Bali's tourism image

From Bali Post

One can easily guess that following the bomb blasts in Legian, Kuta, Bali will have a hard time to recover any of its peaceful image. The repercussion of this bombing has threatened Indonesia's tourism.

Therefore, the central government, the Bali provincial administration and all relevant parties need to do the following:

* Thoroughly probe the bombing incident to find out the perpetrators and improve security in Bali and other areas.

* Buildings in Legian, Kuta, Bali need to be immediately improved so that social activities can return to normal.

* A monument needs to be put up at the scene of the blast in memory of the victims and as a token of our introspection.

* Religious rites need to be conducted at the scene of the bombing (caru agung) to cleanse society and strengthen the self- confidence of the Balinese so that they can bravely face catastrophes and be ready to respond during emergencies.

* Indonesians are advised to spend their New Year's holiday in Bali to show that the island is back to normal and ready for tourist arrivals. Of course, the relevant authorities need to give a guarantee that it is safe. Remember, people were not afraid to visit New York, even though thousands of people perished there in the terrorist attack.

I PUTU AGUS SWASTIKA, Kuta, Bali