Urgent warning issued for Bali-bound Aussies
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As the allure of Bali's pristine beaches and vibrant culture continues to draw Australian travellers, the Australian Government has issued an urgent warning that casts a shadow over the idyllic Indonesian destination.
This comes as the country gears up for its high-stakes general election.
Smartraveller, the government's official travel advisory service, updated its advice for the region on Monday, citing 'frequent political rallies and possible protests' as a likely occurrence in the lead-up to the election.
The advisory service urged travellers to be prepared for traffic delays and restricted access to certain locations if protests occur.
'Avoid protests and demonstrations and monitor local media for the latest updates,' Smartraveller advised.
'Exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia overall due to security risks.'
The general election, scheduled for February 14, is a significant event in Indonesia, with over 200 million Indonesians expected to cast their votes for their next president.
This period of political transition can often be a time of heightened tension and unrest, which can potentially impact the safety of tourists.
Travellers are advised to remain alert for possible threats, particularly in popular tourist areas which may be targeted for terrorist attacks.
Smartraveller has also advised Australians to reconsider travel to the provinces of Papua, Indonesia due to ongoing separatist activity.
'There's been tension, including demonstrations and violence, in certain towns in the provinces of Papua, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Tengah and Papua Selatan in recent years,' the warning read.
'Armed groups have stated that they're targeting foreigners, including Australians.'
Indonesia, particularly Bali, continues to be a top tourist destination for millions of Australians each year.
The allure of its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and affordable luxury has made it a favourite among holidaymakers.
In 2023, it was the number one travel spot for Australians, according to data from Expedia.
‘Bali has always been a favourite holiday destination for Aussies, and our data consistently supports this, with Bali coming in as the top destination for Aussies travellers throughout the year,' Expedia Australia Managing Director Daniel Finch said.
‘The strength of the Aussie dollar is a heavy load on the total cost of trips, and these closer-to-home Asian destinations are providing good value for money, particularly with food, beverages and accommodation costs, which are significantly cheaper when looking to convert the Aussie dollar.’
You can read more about this story here.
Have you ever been affected by a travel safety advisory before? If ever you’re headed to Bali anytime soon, are you reconsidering your plans? Tell us in the comments below.
This comes as the country gears up for its high-stakes general election.
Smartraveller, the government's official travel advisory service, updated its advice for the region on Monday, citing 'frequent political rallies and possible protests' as a likely occurrence in the lead-up to the election.
The advisory service urged travellers to be prepared for traffic delays and restricted access to certain locations if protests occur.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through Smarttraveller, has issued a warning for travellers planning to visit Indonesia. Image source: Smarttraveller.
'Avoid protests and demonstrations and monitor local media for the latest updates,' Smartraveller advised.
'Exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia overall due to security risks.'
The general election, scheduled for February 14, is a significant event in Indonesia, with over 200 million Indonesians expected to cast their votes for their next president.
This period of political transition can often be a time of heightened tension and unrest, which can potentially impact the safety of tourists.
Travellers are advised to remain alert for possible threats, particularly in popular tourist areas which may be targeted for terrorist attacks.
Smartraveller has also advised Australians to reconsider travel to the provinces of Papua, Indonesia due to ongoing separatist activity.
'There's been tension, including demonstrations and violence, in certain towns in the provinces of Papua, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Tengah and Papua Selatan in recent years,' the warning read.
'Armed groups have stated that they're targeting foreigners, including Australians.'
Indonesia, particularly Bali, continues to be a top tourist destination for millions of Australians each year.
The allure of its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and affordable luxury has made it a favourite among holidaymakers.
In 2023, it was the number one travel spot for Australians, according to data from Expedia.
‘Bali has always been a favourite holiday destination for Aussies, and our data consistently supports this, with Bali coming in as the top destination for Aussies travellers throughout the year,' Expedia Australia Managing Director Daniel Finch said.
‘The strength of the Aussie dollar is a heavy load on the total cost of trips, and these closer-to-home Asian destinations are providing good value for money, particularly with food, beverages and accommodation costs, which are significantly cheaper when looking to convert the Aussie dollar.’
You can read more about this story here.
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now I can’t afford to go anywhere unfortunately but I can dream on.
