DENPASAR, 13 February 2018: Bali’s Mount Agung safety alert was lowered at the weekend from level four to three, while the safety perimeter was reduced to a 4 km radius of the volcanic crater.
Asian Trails in a posting to travel partners said the reduction of the no-go zone to 4 km gave a welcome respite to local residents and communities living under the shadow of the volcano.
A few villages still remain out-of-bounds due to the no-go zone and there is an ongoing ban on hiking and climbing excursions to Mount Agung within the new parameters.
Bali’s International Airport continues to operate normally and excursions and transfers are offering full services.
Hotels are also offering lower rates than would normally be available during February and March to rebuild confidence and boost bookings
Checks of online booking channels show rates as low as USD18 a night for three-star properties. The Novotel in Kuta offers a rate of USD62, while the average for Kuta hotels is running at around USD63 compared with an average of USD112 for hotels in the Seminkyak district and USD110 in Ubud.
Around 28% of all holidaymakers to Bali end up in hotels in Kuta, while 15% head for stays in the hill country around Ubud.
