15/10/2002

For Immediate Release 15 October 2002
(London, UK) Members of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) are appalled at the tragedy which struck the peace-loving people of Bali on Saturday October 12, resulting in the death of more than 180 holiday-makers and 300 injured. In an effort to restore confidence in the destination WTTC is launching an Indonesia-specific programme to mobilize government leaders to enhance visitor security. WTTC has also called on global industry leaders to convene in London next month to discuss ways of addressing and helping to combat such attacks in the future.

WTTC President, Jean-Claude Baumgarten, is in Bali to meet with key industry and government leaders to offer WTTC support. Baumgarten will call on Indonesia's President, Megawati Sukarnoputri, along with the Minister of Finance, Dr Bambang Subidy, and Minister of State for Tourism and Arts, Dr H Hidayat Jaelani, to mobilize security forces in Bali and other regions to provide assistance and assurance to the industry and its tourists. WTTC recommends that Indonesia follow the example of countries whose governments have implemented immediate and strong measures to protect visitors and restore industry confidence following such terrorist attacks.

WTTC Memebers will be meeting with invited government leaders from around the world at World Travel Market in London on November 13 to examine tourism security issues. The aim is to ensure that measures taken by government to strengthen security are effective, harmonized internationally and applied globally. There must be no country or sector where security is weak posing a threat to travellers' confidence.

The World Travel & Tourism Council is the forum for global business leaders in Travel & Tourism comprising the presidents, chairs and CEOs of 100 of the world's foremost companies. It is the only body representing the private sector in all parts of the Travel & Tourism industry worldwide.

For more information contact:

Feolla Chastanet
Director, Communications
World Travel & Tourism Council
Tel: 44 (0) 7481 8007
Fax: 44 (0) 7481 1008