Effects of Mount Sinabung Volcanic Eruption on Tourism in Indonesia

This paper discusses the effects of the recent Mt Sinabung volcanic eruption on tourism and hospitality industry in Indonesia. It analyzes the challenges faced by hotels and the government's response to the disaster. The paper also provides recommendations for hotel managers to prepare for such disasters.

EFFECTS OF MOUNT SINABUNG VOLCANIC ERUPTION ON TOURISM IN
INDONESIA
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Mt. Sinabug volcanic eruption effects on tourism in Indonesia 2
Executive summary
The recent years on a global economic perspective, tourism has grown tremendously thanks to
the increase in globalization that has promoted diversification and interaction of different
cultures. This has prompted the economy to be a principal pillar to the growth and stability of the
economy globally and the development of economies that have strategic and sustainable tourism
industry, such a region is Indonesia. The country recent growth and developments is attributed to
the constant growth of the country as one of the best tourist destination especially from power
tourist exporters such as China and Australia. However, its beautiful destinations, landmarks,
historical sites and beautiful islands could be in jeopardy due to the rising cases of eruption of
volcanic mountains. The most recent eruption and the largest in history is the Mt Sinabug early
this year that saw the evacuation of over 30,000 individuals from their homes. This paper talks in
detail the effects of Mt Sinabug eruption on tourism and hospitality industry by conducting a
literature review and analysis based on a perspective of an interview conducted on Mr. Shuren
Ulaganathan the guest relations manager of the Fullerton Bay Hotel (F&B)

Mt. Sinabug volcanic eruption effects on tourism in Indonesia 3
Table of Contents
Effects of mount sinabung Volcanic eruption on tourism in Indonesia..........................................4
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
literature review and analysis..........................................................................................................5
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9
Reference.......................................................................................................................................10

Mt. Sinabug volcanic eruption effects on tourism in Indonesia 4
Effects of mount sinabung Volcanic eruption on tourism in Indonesia
Introduction
Tourism in recent years has experienced growth and sustainable development as well as
successful diversification making it the fastest growing economic sector globally. This has made
the tourism industry to also grow as a channel for international currency exchange making it one
of the principal sectors that sustain the global economy and regions or country whose tourism
industry is booming. Such a country is Indonesia where its currently considered as the new ‘star’
for the county’s economy at the end of the financial year of 2017. According to the minister of
tourism in Indonesia, Ariel Yahya, the tourism industry creates employment for their citizens as
well as contribute immensely to the country’s GDP and foreign exchanges which in the long runs
to boost the country economy (Andreastuti et al, 2017).
Indonesia is widely known to have many tourist attraction sites such as landmarks and beautiful
islands which have over 14million foreign tourists into the country last year. However, there are
some tourist sites that could pose a threat to tourism in the country and its geographical locations
immensely such as Mt Sinabung which is volcanic (Erfurt-cooper, Sigurdsson and Lopes, 2015).
The mountain is considered as a complementary attraction site as many tourists visit the province
due to lake Tobias recent volcanic eruptions which by far is considered the largest in history has
caused a drastic dent on the tourism success in the region which will be discussed further in this
paper.

Mt. Sinabug volcanic eruption effects on tourism in Indonesia 5
LITERATURE REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
The Indonesian tourism industry is taking a dent due to the 3rd volcanic eruption in eight years
of mount sinabung located in Sumatra province. This time the eruption is far bigger than the last
one which occurred in 2015 that decimated many businesses which recovered in the recent years,
however, this time things are different due to the intensity of the eruption sending searing gas
down its slants and surging fiery debris mists as high as 5,000m into the sky. As indicated by the
Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), there were no fatalities or casualties,
however, the Indonesian government issued a 'red notice' to aircraft because of the emission. The
ash covered the neighboring towns which hosted dozens of hotels where tourist were residing
which brought challenges to the management teams of these hotels.
Natural disasters occur from time to time and they affect the standard and procedures of a
workplace. In Such a location as Sumatra province where volcanic eruptions are no news, it’s up
to the managers and executives whose business such as hotels are located, must have standards
and procedures that will adapt to the occurrence of the natural disasters. Although it could be
challenging to manage the business effectively during such period it will still play a big role in
quality management of the guest and consumers effectively which ends up saving their lives and
even property which comes in handy in protecting the brand of the business as one happy
customer could have a positive impact on several hundred. Walters, Mair, and Ritchie (2015)
propose that the picture a tourist holds of destination is perceived as being of high significance,
this is because of the impact it has on the destination a visitor visits. There is a wide range of
components which impact how a potential guest will see a destination; these may incorporate
data found in publicizing and obtained by listening in on others' conversations. With regards to
catastrophes particularly,

Mt. Sinabug volcanic eruption effects on tourism in Indonesia 6
a huge factor affecting the image of the destination by tourist's psyche is the worldwide
dispersion of data by means of the media. This can prompt a negative impression of areas
influenced by cataclysmic events. Nevertheless, most of the tourist who visits Sumatra province
are mostly aware of the volcanic activities in the regions which is part and parcel of their interest
in the area. These tourists who are known as ‘dark tourist’ are critically aware of the dangers
related to such sites which makes it easier for the tourism business to handle (Miller, et al 2017).
Natural disasters are accompanied by the destructions of business and properties such as hotels
which incur heavy losses. Therefore, it is efficient for the hotel management to have contingency
plans which are sufficient warning emergency planning and demonstrates the intention of
identifying a crisis which builds and maintains the reputation the hotel brand. When anticipating
for crises managers ought to consider a few crucial factors, for example, coordinated effort,
correspondence, and control. Be that as it may, the most essential crucial factor is the
administration's pledge to embrace and build up a crisis administration design, which will be a
solid direction and refreshed message to impart previously, amid, and after the emergency
(Chatfield and Reddick 2015). substantial associations will probably have a crisis design than
smaller organizations, contingent upon the size and their budgetary circumstance. Besides, with
restricted assets, emergency management is less vital for smaller businesses, as they surmise that
the emergency won't influence them, or they will deal with their business without an
arrangement. A few specialists clarified that the associations that confronted a debacle before
will probably put resources into and build up their own crisis design, since they experience the ill
effects of the past dangers and gain from its impact on the properties and human lives (Agustan,
Kausar and Kriswati, 2016).

Mt. Sinabug volcanic eruption effects on tourism in Indonesia 7
According to the BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, volcanic eruption does not happen
everywhere in the world and they are not an often phenomena, However, in Indonesia, things are
different in the sense that there have been several volcanic eruptions in that past ten years. Mount
Sinabung's latest volcanic eruption comes approximately four months after the Balinese eruption
and for the first time in over a century Mount Agung causing a seismic occasion that sent the
island's flourishing tourism industry into meltdown (Fontijn et al, 2015).
Mount Agung had been heaving billows of white and dim slag around three kilometers into the
environment, leading to evacuation around 150,000 individuals over 400 flights were cancelled
in November after Bali's major airport was shut in the midst of admonitions of a potential
volcanic emission at Mount Agung with the quantity of Australian tourist going to Bali in the
pinnacle tourist month of December reduced by around half the number and entries from China
that month dropping from 100,000 to 11,500, the emission of Mount Agung is evaluated to have
taken a toll the island's tourism industry an amazing $1.5 billion causing a serious dent at the
county's economic stability and national GDP (Gertisser et al,2018).
Technology and detections could come in handy for hotel and hospitality industry in such a
region that is prone to disasters. It would be easier to conduct the daily activities and transactions
carried out on a daily basis moreover, books can be closed early and efficiently in case of a
disaster. Disaster detection technologies will be efficient in handling and managing the guest
efficiently and early saving lives, in the long run, preventing a previous occurrence that happens
during the last three volcanic eruptions that claimed 25 lives.
The government has a major role to play in the management of natural disasters especially the
tourism and hospitality industry since it contributes heavily to the economic stability of the

Mt. Sinabug volcanic eruption effects on tourism in Indonesia 8
country as well as raise the standard of living of Indonesia through the creation of employment
opportunities. However the constant natural disinters such as earthquakes and tsunamis has opted
the Indonesian government to up their game in having a quick detention, response, and
management of disasters with the help of foreign governments and international bodies such as
the USAID. A good example is an earlier incident where the Mt sin bug erupted between late
2013 and early 2014. The incidence was not well prepared for since 16 people died and tens of
thousands were evacuated to avoid more casualties from the volcanic ash which is harmful to the
human health. However, the government responded accordingly through the help of foreign
governments such as China and international organizations such as UN and USAID who
provided shelter, medical assistance and food for the affected individual during the time.
Moreover, more countermeasures were put in place such as advanced technological detections
systems and use of satellites which saw the eruption of the same mountain in 2018 where
control and management of the disaster effective and did not claim any lives
First and foremost, it essential that all hotel managers within the vicinity of a volcanic eruption
be vast with the safety procedure and tips to carry out during a volcanic eruption. Moreover,
managers should always plan ahead and anticipate for a volcanic eruption since there are over
120 active volcanoes in Indonesia. Hotel managers should always value the life and safety of
their guest, therefore contingency plans should always be put in place which comes in handy in
case of an eruption (Rindrasih, et al 2018). It will also be efficient if the manager ensures the
hotel against such disasters which will be effective in countering losses and rebuilding the hotels
easily. Even the Fullerton Bay would be met with similar circumstances if it was based in
Indonesia near an active volcano.The parent hotel is enjoying a disaster-free environment which
gives the hotel brand a thriving chance. The only difference it could make in a volatile location

Mt. Sinabug volcanic eruption effects on tourism in Indonesia 9
such as Sumatra is putting in place disaster management plans on a topnotch level which will
adapt to the region (Amry,2018).
Volcanic eruptions may have a negative impact on the tourism industry in cases where it so
volatile and harmful. As a "ring of fire" characteristic component of volcanoes where
cataclysmic events happen in Indonesia has turned into the "niche market" of dark tourism
fascination in Indonesia (Suyadnya et al,2017). A few cases of volcanoes in Indonesia that have
turned into a vacation spot incorporate Mount Tangkuban Parahu in Bandung, Mount Bromo
Mountain in East Java, Mount Batur in Bali and Mount Merapi in Central Java (Jenkins et
al,2016). The media impression to social media showcases the wonder of a volcanic calamity
that caused some tour guides to offer tour packages to the territory of dynamic volcanoes.
Sinabung Mountain in North Sumatra which turned into the investigation locus has as of late
turned into a vacation spot of various sightseers going by North Sumatra. According to Preece et
al, (2016), the emission of Mount Merapi in Central Java in 2010 made 2,200 families be
evacuated. Be that as it may, Behind the ejection of Mount Merapi disaster, there are individuals
from the network who profit from the tourism segment, for example, a visit direct, trinket
merchants, and so on. (Mei et al, 2016).
Conclusion
Tourism in recent years has experienced growth and sustainable development as well as
successful diversification making it the fastest growing economic sector globally. However,
tourism is particularly helpless against calamities and, being fragmented, regularly its reaction is
hard to initiate and organize. It is additionally data intensive and when in mayhem its data needs
are exacerbated. Indonesia is widely known to have many tourist attraction sites such as
landmarks and beautiful islands which have over 14million foreign tourists into the country last

Mt. Sinabug volcanic eruption effects on tourism in Indonesia 10
year. However, there are some tourist sites that could pose a threat to tourism in the country and
its geographical locations immensely such as Mt Sinabung which is volcanic. The paper plans to
build up a disaster administration framework for debacles in a tourist destination such as
Indonesia for the purpose of an information structure for tourism catastrophe administration in
the tourism and hospitality industry through a protective of a volcano eruption. Learning is a
great asset to encourage governments, associations and networks avert, moderate, get ready for
and recuperate from calamities and emergencies that may arise. The paper further discusses the
various disasters that happened in Indonesia its impacts and the how the government responded
with the aid of foreign governments and international bodies. Moreover, recommendations of
how managers should conduct themselves during a volcanic eruption id also discussed with the
main point being the value of human life and offering quality services through efficient disaster
management plans which will definably come in handy while recovering from the disasters.

Mt. Sinabug volcanic eruption effects on tourism in Indonesia 11
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