www.INDONESIATRAVEL.NEWS– Tourism Minister Arief Yahya continues to inform 3A regarding Access, Amenity and Attractions in the disaster areas of Lombok and Bali. Ministry of Tourism Crisis Center Team becomes the information hub for tourists trapped in Lombok, including Gili Islands, which many tourists visit.
Access issues, become the most sought-after issue, because to escape from Lombok, requires two types of transportation. Air and sea. “KMP Dharma Rucitra 3 which can accommodate to 326 passengers, a car deck area of 685 sqm has departed from Padangbai at 08:10, extra route is estimated to depart at 12:30 to Lembar,” Arief Yahya quoted.
Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi will also continue to monitor until tourists are handled and transported out from Gilis. “I will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Transportation to serve tourists in Lombok,” he said.
Additionally, Kapal Dharma Kencana 3 with a cardeck area of 560 sqm, with the capacity of 310 passengers, slightly smaller than KMP Dharama Rucitra, also docked to Gilis. “Thank you, Minister Budi Karya,” he said.
From the airline, Garuda Indonesia has also prepared extra flights. “Garuda Indonesia has changed the aircraft’ schedule to fly twice today, August 6, 2018, and 1 extra flight that has been fully booked. The sales system remains the same, using online booking system, “said Minister Arief Yahya answering many netizen questions.
The next extra flights, he continued, will be coordinated with the Head of Airport Authority. At 14:40 there were still be 40 seats available to Denpasar. “Thank you Garuda Indonesia Managing Director, Mr. Pahala Mansyuri. Please continue to display the number of seats available to continue serving for both foreign and local tourists trapped in Lombok, “he hoped.
Other information, PT Pelni is also sending ships to Lembar Lombok seaport to evacuate tourists. One of the ships which is now heading there is KM Binaiya. The routing is Lombok to Benoa Bali. Their Bali representative office has been in touch with the Head of Asita Bali for further coordination.
Guntur Sakti, Chairman of Ministry of Tourism Crisis Management has also flown to Lombok this afternoon to join with Head of West Nusa Tenggara Tourism Board, Lalu Faozal, and Lombok Poltekpar Director Hamsu. “While we also deploy 5 buses from Ministry of Tourism to help evacuate tourists in West Nusa Tenggara,” said Guntur. (*)
