Bali Hotels Cooperate to Prevent Tsunami Tragedy

(2/14/2009)

With many of Indonesia's leading hotels and resorts dotting shorelines in a nation no stranger to volcanic and seismic activity, the threat of tsunamis remains a constant concern of Bali tourism operators.

In order to enhance "tsunami preparedness" of the country's hotel industry, the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism (BUDPAR) is cooperating closely with the Bali Hotels Association (BHA). Together they have developed the "Tsunami Ready Toolkit" geared to assist hotels and resorts to prepare themselves in the event of a tsunamis. The initiative is also supported by the German Centrum für Migration und Entwicklung (CIM).

The toolkit consists of a collection of fact sheets and background information papers on subjects including:

• Tsunami Warning Sources

• Department Close Down Procedures

• Beach Evacuation

• Planning of Evacuation Routes

• Location of Evacuation Spots

• Best Practice Examples

• Identifying Natural Warning Signs

• Design for standard evacuation route signs for use by seaside hotels

The evacuation route signs used by hotel and resorts resemble those use by the Indonesian government in order to avoid confusion when crossing from private hotel space into public areas. The signs are already used by some BHA member hotels. Other hotels are encouraged to use the same design for their internal evacuation routes.

Available without charge, the "Tsunami Toolkit"can be downloaded via the following links:

[Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia]

[UNESCO Jakarta Tsunami Information Centre]

[Prevention Web]