DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – Disaster management authorities in Bali are urging hotels and tourism facilities to strengthen safety standards through disaster preparedness certification, as only a fraction of hotels on the island currently meet the required criteria.
Data from the Bali Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) shows that out of approximately 3,000 hotels operating in Bali, only 498 are classified as star-rated hotels. However, just 115 of these have obtained official disaster preparedness certification.
Head of BPBD Bali, I Gede Teja, explained that the certification is issued only after a hotel successfully meets 31 disaster preparedness indicators set by authorities.
“If all 31 indicators are fulfilled, BPBD will issue a disaster preparedness certificate. If even one indicator is not met, we will postpone it. That means the hotel cannot yet be certified,” Teja said on Saturday (March 7).
According to Teja, the certification aims to ensure that hotels are capable of managing disaster risks in order to protect guests, employees, and the surrounding environment.
He emphasized that strengthening disaster mitigation is essential for maintaining Bali’s reputation as a global tourism destination.
“Bali tourism does not rely only on culture or natural beauty, but also on safety. Disaster risks must also be mitigated through this certification,” he explained.
Despite the program being in place, the number of certified hotels remains relatively small compared with the overall number of hotels on the island.
“Compared with the total number of hotels, it is still far from ideal. But at least this is an early step toward strengthening safe tourism,” Teja added.
Most certified hotels are located in Badung Regency, which has the highest concentration of hotels in Bali. Several hotels in Denpasar and Karangasem have also obtained similar certification.
Authorities note that disaster risks vary depending on the location of each hotel. Coastal tourism areas such as Kuta, for example, may face potential threats including tsunamis, earthquakes, flooding, fires, extreme weather, disease outbreaks, and even security-related incidents.
“There is no area in Bali that is completely free from disaster threats. The difference is only in the type of risk,” Teja said.
Hotels applying for certification must conduct risk identification and demonstrate preparedness measures that meet the 31 indicators, covering evacuation planning, safety systems, and disaster risk management procedures.
Beyond the tourism sector, BPBD Bali is also expanding disaster preparedness certification to hospitals. The program aims to ensure medical facilities are capable of handling sudden surges in patients during emergencies.
“For example, if a major disaster occurs and a hospital suddenly receives hundreds of patients, we need to ensure they are ready to manage the situation. That will also be part of the certification,” Teja explained.
So far, BMC Nusa Dua Hospital has begun the certification process, while other hospitals are expected to follow.
The certification program is mandated under Bali Regional Regulation No. 5 of 2020 and Bali Governor Regulation No. 52 of 2021 regarding Disaster Preparedness Certification.
In implementing the program, BPBD collaborates with multiple institutions including the Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and tourism organizations to conduct field verification.
“The assessment team is cross-sectoral and trained in disaster management, ensuring that the evaluation process is comprehensive,” Teja said.