Tourism Minister Joins Video Conference on Mount Agung
Jakarta. Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan led a coordination meeting related to the eruption of Mount Agung in Bali at the command center of the Ministry of Transportation on Tuesday (28/11).
The minister was joined by Tourism Minister Arief Yahya and Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi.
Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika explained that Mount Agung is continuing to spew volcanic ash 4,000 meters high towards the southwest of the resort island.
Around 70,000 people have been evacuated from areas around the volcano. The provincial government has provided the displaced persons with 25 tons of rice and Rp 700 million ($49,000) per day.
The governor has also ensured that 60 buses would be made available to bring stranded tourists to Surabaya, East Java, where they can fly internationally or to other destinations in the country.
Tourism Minister Arief Yahya asked airlines to sympathize with this emergency situation. "Do not have a cancellation fee, remove 10 percent ticket refund and rescheduling fees."
Arief requested that the Transportation Ministry provide more buses and other alternative transportation methods for foreign tourists who need to leave Bali right away.
Tags: Keywords: