Regional Leadership Communication Forum of Denpasar City, Bali, told locals and tourists that Bali, especially the city of Denpasar, is safe and secure for visit during Christmas and New Year holiday season.

Mayor of Denpasar, Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra, stated in Denpasar on Monday that the Sanur Beach area and other tourist destinations in the city are very safe and secure to be visited.

The area is about 65 kilometers away from the Karangasem regency, which means it is very far from the Gunung Agung disaster-prone area, he noted.

Rai Mantra explained that the distance of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Tuban, Badung regency, is still far from Denpasar City.

He invited all elements of the community, including domestic and foreign tourists, to enjoy the natural attractions of Denpasar City, which houses beach tourism areas, temples, and traditional markets.

Especially, by the end of the year, the city will host the "Denpasar Festival" event, which is scheduled to be held from Dec 28 to Dec 31 in the Gajah Mada and Veteran Streets area, which is also known as the Catur Muka Denpasar Sculpture area.

On Dec 13, Deputy Assistant for National Tourism Promotion Development of the Ministry of Tourism Putu Ngurah stated in Buleleng regency, Bali, that there are still numerous other tourist destinations that are safe to be visited in the island.

"Bali is not just Karangasem; there are still other areas that are safe and worthy to be visited, which is why it needs to be published in the media rather than only exposing the potential disaster in Bali," he stated, during the opening of the Pemuteran Bay Festival in Buleleng regency, Bali, on Dec 13.

He then encouraged all related stakeholders in Bali to play their roles in boosting Bali`s lagging tourism, which is caused by the eruption of Mount Agung, through a synergy in promotional efforts.

Additionally, Rai Mantra also extended his wishes to the public for Christmas and the New Year of 2018.

"The New Year celebration is an obligatory activity that must run normally, which is hoped to be beneficial to the community. May happiness and peace be with all of us," he pointed out.

A foreign tourist from the Netherlands, David, admitted that he was very happy and felt safe and comfortable traveling around the area of Sanur.

"Denpasar is very safe and comfortable as a tourist destination; everyone should come and not be afraid because Denpasar is very far away from the disaster-prone areas of Mount Agung," he added.

Meanwhile, Commander of the 1611 Badung Military District Lieutenant Colonel Arh Achmad Sumarna stated that the city of Denpasar is relatively far from the impact of Mount Agung?s eruption, especially considering the fact that the city is not included in the zone of disaster-prone areas of Mount Agung.

It is also related to the location of Bali`s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, which is located in the south of Denpasar City, which is a very safe and convenient area for tourism visits

Source: ANTARA