Gov’t hopes to address safety issue in Nusa Penida without issuing visitor moratorium: Vice Governor
Responding to a suggestion made last week by the Indonesian Tour Guide Association (HPI) that a moratorium be placed on visitors coming to Nusa Penida due to a number of foreign tourists dying in accidents at the popular tourist destination recently, Bali Vice Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, or Cok Ace, said today that the provincial government has yet to consider that option.
“That sort of matter must be evaluated further, because once we decide on a moratorium, it shows that we are not ready for tourism management,” Cok Ace said, as quoted by Kumparan.
Last week, a 40-year-old Malaysian tourist died after he was swept away by a huge wave and drowned at Nusa Penida island’s Diamond Beach. A couple of days prior to that incident, two foreign passengers died near Devil’s Tear cove in Nusa Lembongan island after their boat capsized when a big wave hit.
The two islands, with the addition of Nusa Ceningan island, are located in the Nusa Penida sub-district of Klungkung regency. Located just to the southeast of Bali, the three islands have attracted more and more tourists in recent years due to its spectacular views and renowned snorkeling and diving activities.
Last week’s two incidents are indicative of the poor safety record of the area, where multiple fatal accidents have taken place over the past few years. Those include incidents near or at the Devil’s Tear cove, where tourists have either died or gone missing after being swept away by huge waves.
The most recent tragedies prompted a response from I Nyoman Nuarta, who is chairman of the Indonesian Tour Guide Association (HPI). He suggested that there should be a moratorium on the Nusa islands and highlighted the need for an agency or authority to manage the flow of tourism to Nusa Penida.
The suggestion was met with criticism by Klungkung regent I Nyoman Suwirta, who stressed that such a move would affect the livelihoods of Nusa Penida residents.
“If such a moratorium is applied, what will [the local residents] eat? Don’t be so rash,” Suwirta had said.
Cok Ace said he has met with Suwirta and that they had discussed the safety issues in Nusa Penida.
“…because Bali is different than other regions, I asked the regent if there are other means that might be spiritual in nature that we can do,” Cok Ace said.
The Vice Governor added that efforts to improve tourism in Nusa Penida are currently in the works, including those aimed at addressing safety issues, but noted that they have not considered a moratorium as an option for the time being.
