DENPSAR – The Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali has confirmed that none of its members handled the group of Chinese tourists involved in a recent minibus accident in Banjar Dinas Prabakula, Padang Bulia Village, Sukasada District, Buleleng, Bali.
The confirmation follows an internal inspection conducted by ASITA Bali, particularly among members serving the Chinese market. The findings indicate that the tour group involved in the incident was not managed by any officially registered ASITA member.
The accident occurred on Friday (14/11) at around 04:30 WITA when a Toyota Hiace carrying 13 Chinese tourists plunged into a ravine after reportedly losing control. Five passengers were killed, while eight others sustained injuries.
ASITA Bali Chairman, Putu Winastra, expressed deep concern over the tragedy, emphasizing that incidents involving foreign tourists can significantly affect Bali’s tourism service reputation.
“In reality, the accident was not handled by an official driver or travel agent. This should be a crucial point for the government to re-evaluate the governance of the tourism industry, especially travel agents,” Winastra stated.
He stressed the need for all travel agents operating outside Bali, particularly those based overseas, to collaborate with local travel agents. Winastra added that even online platforms must partner with local agents to manage their guests.
“We urge that ASITA-member travel agents be designated as official partners, both by local and foreign travel agents. When something happens, it’s the local agents’ reputation at stake,” said Winastra, who also serves as the Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Bali.
ASITA Bali is advocating for this requirement to be included in the drafting of a new Regional Regulation (Perda), ensuring that cooperation with local travel agents becomes mandatory.
An inspection by ASITA Bali’s China Committee also reaffirmed that the travel agent handling the group involved in the accident was not part of the association.
Referring to police information, ASITA sees this finding as reinforcement for urging the government to mandate that foreign tour operators or travel agents must partner with licensed, ASITA-member local agencies.
Winastra reiterated the association’s commitment to working with the government to reform Bali’s tourism sector. However, he also noted the presence of operators who continue to work unlawfully and violate Regional Regulation No. 5 of 2020 on Tourism Standardization in Bali.
“We strongly encourage the government to ensure that, in the drafting or finalization of the regional regulation, illegal operators and online platforms are required to obtain proper licensing and register as ASITA members,” he concluded.
ASITA Bali expresses regret over the existence of individuals and operators who disregard regulations, thereby harming Bali’s tourism image. (*)
