Spooked tourists put vacation plans on hold

KARANGASEM: Clouds shrouded the top of Bali’s highest volcano as the risk of an imminent eruption began to persuade some tourists to have second thoughts about visiting Indonesia’s paradise island.

Strong volcanic tremors and billowing white smoke seen over the crater have raised alarm in recent days, prompting the evacuation of more than 75,000 people from villages dotting the padi fields at the base of the forested slopes of Mount Agung.

Indonesian officials have imposed a 12km exclusion zone around the volcano, whose last eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and destroyed several settlements.

Several countries, including Australia, Singapore and the United States, have issued travel advisories alerting holidaymakers to the risk. And a hotel operator in Bali said news of the volcano had caused some guests to cancel their plans.

“Business has been slow since Mount Agung’s alert status was raised to the highest level,” said Ketut Purnawata, manager of Dasawana Resort, which is in the same district as the volcano.

Nearly five million people visited Bali last year – most of them from Australia, China and Japan.

Airlines in Australia and Singapore said they were preparing for any possible disruptions due to an eruption, but flights were running normally for now.

Virgin Australia and Jetstar, both of which fly to Bali from Australia, said they would carry extra fuel in case they needed to reverse course quickly.

Jetstar and Singapore-based budget carrier Scoot said they had been contacted by a small number of customers looking to change their travel dates.

“Less than 100 customers chose to rebook to a later date,” a Scoot spokeswoman said.

Singapore Airlines and its shorthaul arm SilkAir said customers travelling to Bali until Oct 2 could rebook or request a refund, while AirAsia said flights were operating normally.

Passengers spooked by news of the active volcano also took to Twitter to ask airlines about cancellation options.

For now, life is going along largely as normal on the island famous for its beaches, temples and gentle culture.

One Spanish tourist, Jordi Portalo, 23, said he was unperturbed by the rumbling volcano.

“I think it could happen but ... maybe we’d have to stay here a couple more days, so nothing to worry about,” he said, sitting at a cafe next to a white-sand beach in Nusa Dua.

Ash clouds from volcanoes and eruptions have disrupted tourism in Bali and other parts of Indonesia in the past. — Reuters

Business has been slow since Mount Agung’s alert status was raised to the highest level.

Ketut Purnawata