PATA condemns Bali blasts

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) condemns the bombings in Bali on October 12 as acts of barbarity and cowardice, but says the spirit of fraternity which guides peace-loving people to travel will prevail.

PATA extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the dead and injured in the horrific bombings.

PATA President and CEO Mr. Peter de Jong, who returned from a private visit to Bali on October 13, said: "To strike at innocent civilians, many of them young people, is a barbaric act of cowardice which defies the morality of all civilised people. Our condolences go out to the families and friends of the dead and injured - and to the peace-loving people of Bali and Indonesia who, like us, are in deep shock today."

Mr. Peter Semone, PATA's Vice President-Development and a former long-time resident of Indonesia, is on the ground in Bali today, meeting with tourism officials and offering PATA's assistance. He is staying in close contact with the office of Mr. I Gede Ardika, the Minister for Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia.

PATA has two upcoming events planned in Indonesia:

- The 1st PATA Sustainable Tourism Conference, scheduled to take place in Banten, Western Java, near Jakarta, October 23-26, 2002.

- The 52nd PATA Annual Conference, scheduled to take place in Bali, Indonesia, April 13-17, 2003.

Mr. de Jong said: "As of today, it is PATA's firm intention to go ahead with both events as planned. The normal business of our daily lives should not be derailed by such terrible acts."

As a measure of support for Indonesia, Mr. de Jong said that PATA, in coordination with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other partner organisations, was ready to set up a Crisis Task Force to help the country address the major challenges which its tourism industry was likely to face in the weeks and months ahead.

Mr. de Jong said that PATA was monitoring the situation on the ground in Indonesia very closely and would make additional announcements shortly.