Cry wolf? Travel advisories raise tourism, business concerns

Trisha Sertori, Contributor, Melbourne

A recent Australian advisory warning against travel to Indonesia has concerned the Indonesian Consul General to Victoria and Tasmania, Budiarman Bahar, who said repeated travel advisories could lead businesses to question the closeness of the two countries' relationship.

Stressing his understanding of the Australian government's "constitutional responsibility" to protect its citizens, Budiarman said the renewal of high-level security warnings in its travel advisory were a concern -- given the relative safety of Indonesia compared to countries that were more frequent victims of terrorism, such as the United Kingdom.

The Australian travel advisory on the U.K. was downgraded last month to "exercise caution", whereas the advisory on Indonesia directs citizens to "reconsider your need to travel". The downgrade came despite the recent failed bomb attacks in England and a foiled airport attack in Glasgow late June.


"People are traveling to Bali again, but unfortunately the Australian government has renewed travel advisories (to Bali), while England has actually had an attack, but the level of travel advice on Indonesia is much higher, so it is unfair," said Budiarman, who was appointed Indonesian Consul General to Victoria and Tasmania four months ago.

The Australian government's travel advisory for Indonesia and the United Kingdom, posted on July 9, presents disparities that may be confusing to travelers.

The downgraded advice of "exercise caution" to the United Kingdom came just days after two car bombs were discovered and defused in Central London, and a burning vehicle was driven into Glasgow's main airport terminal.

At the same time, the travel advisory on Indonesia was upgraded to "reconsider your need to travel" following the arrests and deaths of "high-level terrorist operatives in Indonesia".

The continuing and upgraded travel advisories to Bali and other parts of Indonesia not only have an impact on the tourism industry, but also on trade and business, according to the Consul General. He added that he believed many within the Indonesian and Australian business and academic spheres felt the upgraded travel advice to be exaggerated.

"I find it strange that when I speak with many Australians from business, academia and even some parliamentarians, they say the level of travel advice is not needed," he said. "Some suggest the travel advice warnings need to be downgraded, but unfortunately the federal government is maintaining (them)."

He continued: "This is a concern, as these travel advisories will give the wrong signal to other Indonesians. I am afraid those in favor of strong relations with Australia may rethink their opinions, as it may be read that Australia is not sincere in its relationship with Indonesia."

Budiarman stressed that Australia was Indonesia's closest neighbor, and that the joint relationship was important, "not just politically, but (also) in organizations and business".

Vice Consul Ratna Harjana agreed, adding that she feared repeated travel advisories could cause people to drop their guard when traveling -- a level of caution required when traveling anywhere in the world.

"People can become immune to calls for personal security -- a 'Peter cried wolf' scenario," said Ratna. "I certainly hope nothing ever happens, but when people are seeing repeated warnings with nothing happening, as in this most recent travel advice, I feel there is a risk they will not heed advice when it is actually needed."

According to Denny Kusuma of the Victorian Mahindra Bali organization, travel advisories should be seen as a catalyst for Indonesia to get its security act together.

"I think as Indonesians, we need to take heed of these advisories and really upgrade our security, not just at the government level, but at the banjar, or community, level," he said.

"As Indonesians it is our responsibility to ensure our nation is not only safe, but is seen to be safe and that needs to come from our communities. We can no longer be complacent, expecting others to take on the role of keeping our communities, and our guests, safe," said Deny, stressing that he believed Bali and most of Indonesia was safe.

"I only recommend that people stay away from places like large shopping malls, because I have found they are no longer listening to, or believing, the government travel warnings."