Chapter 4: Natural and Man-Made Crisis Management in a Small Island Tourism Destination: The Case of Bali

Bali, Indonesia's most famous island, is prone to various crises, both natural and man-made. As part of the ring of fire, Bali is vulnerable to natural disasters; earthquakes, tsunamis and even whirlwinds are threats that can occur at any time. In terms of man-made disasters, Bali is ‘sexy’ and ‘inviting’ to terrorist attacks. Bali's reputation as the last paradise imprinted on tourists' minds is ‘ideal’ for gaining foreign attention by terrorism.

In October 2002, Bali's peaceful picture and presumed safety shattered by a shameful act of terrorism that resulted in a crisis compounded by the atrocious loss of life in the bombings. In 2005, three years after the initial attack, Bali was hit by a series of jihadist suicide bombings. Bombs exploded in two locations: Jimbaran Beach and Kuta. The blast occurred not far from the site of the first terrorist attack, which killed 202 people in 2002. These attacks' ramifications include Bali's destruction as a safe tourist destination and the lack of confidence among tourists travelling to Indonesia. Indonesia was regarded as being negligent in terms of ensuring the stability of its territories.