Volcano Threatens Bali's Tourism Industry
Mount Agung, an active volcano on the Indonesian island of Bali, appears ready to erupt after months of ominous steaming.
Indonesia's Disaster Management Agency upgraded the alert to the highest level when the volcano shifted into what geologists say is the magmatic phase before an eruption. A thick cloud of ash hangs above the volcano and Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport was completely shut for a second day.
The volcano has been taking its time, expelling smoke and rumbling steadily since September. Indonesian disaster officials had evacuated thousands of Balinese villagers but made most of them move back to their homes because the volcano was at such a slow boil.
That has now changed.
About 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate this week. Reddish magma is now visible and, it appears certain to scientists, officials and residents alike that the volcano will blow soon.
Because of the extended timeline of the eruption and the massive resources dedicated to Bali, observers expect disaster management to go smoothly once Agung finally blows.
The impact on its tourism industry, however, is less clear.
Bali accounts for more than half of all foreign visitors to Indonesia. It has long attracted artists, surfers, spring breakers, yogis, and sunseekers of all stripes. In the last three months, parts of Bali have become ghost towns as Agung's threat prompted many would-be visitors to cancel their trips.
Ketut Panjul, a driver who is based in Ubud said he has had much less business than usual in recent weeks.
"I don’t think people are scared about the volcano in general,” he said, “Just about the airport problem,” as thousands of tourists are stranded in Denpasar. “When it opens again, I believe that it will be fine for us.”
