Tourists are cancelling their trips to Bali over fears a smoking volcano could erupt at any minute.
The Mount Agung volcano is located 75 kilometres from the resort hub of Kuta. It has been shaking since August, threatening what could be its first eruption since 1963.
More than 5,000 tourists have cancelled their visits to Bali, the ABC reported, resulting in a 20 per cent drop in trade for the Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association for October.
Mount Agung has had locals and tourists on edge over fears it could erupt at any moment
Balinese tourism has dropped as more than 5,000 potential visitors can their overseas trips because of the smoking volcano
The cancellations represent a 20 per cent drop for the month of October for the Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association (stock image)
Balinese Governor Mangku Pastika has demanded travel warnings instated by other countries be removed, as there was no concrete evidence the volcano was on the verge of an imminent eruption.
Many are cancelling their tropical holidays out of fear they won’t be able to make it back home.
In a meeting with 30 countries, Mr Pastika declared if the airport is closed because of the volcano, he will extend visas and provide accommodation for those stranded.
He also said for those who needed to get out urgently, a means would be provided.
‘If they really have to go then they have to go through Surabaya or Lombok, we will provide transport,’ he said.
Late last month, Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi reported earthquakes at Agung were becoming stronger and larger.
Balinese Governor Mangku Pastika has demanded travel warnings instated by other countries be removed
He says they are not valid, as there is no concrete evidence the volcano is on the verge of an imminent eruption
Late last month, Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi reported earthquakes in Indonesia were getting stronger and larger and hot areas on the crater floor were growing
Emissions were seen in satellite data, as well as hot areas on the crater floor, which appeared to be growing.
The volcano is now on the highest alert level, and there is an exclusion zone of 9km from the crater.
An owner of a dive centre in Amed, around 15 km from the volcano and just outside the official ‘danger zone’, told Reuters this week many of her guests had cancelled.
‘If [the situation] lasts for nine months or more…then we have no choice but to close down because we will have no money left to operate and pay the staff,’ said Helene Rabate, a Spaniard who runs the centre.
Restaurant owner Wayan Widarti has also seen a dramatic drop in customers.
She said while the 2002 Bali Bombings, which killed 202 people was very bad for business, the uncertainty of the eruption could prove worse for her business.
‘It could be worse than when the Bali bombing happened because there’s uncertainty on when (the eruption) is going to happen and how long we wait,’ she said.
Local business owners say they are concerned the volcano’s rumblings may force them to close their businesses as locals flee and tourists stay away