Tours to Jogjakarta, Central Java and West Sumatera still running

Ayu Mandiri Tours and Travel managing director Adji Sutomo said: “Apart from the affected areas of Kaliurang, Ketep, Kaliadem (which are on the Merapi slopes), other attractions and tour routes in Jogjakarta and the surrounding areas (like Solo, Magelang and Semarang) are intact.”

Dewatha Sakti product marketing manager Agnes Priyanti said: “We are in contact with the authorities here and have received information that while there may be more explosions, they will be minor.

“While visits to Borobudur Temple are limited, other temples like Prambanan and Ratu Boko are not affected at all.”

A Java Crisis Media Centre has also been set up by Jogjakarta tourism stakeholders today.

In West Sumatera, Association of the Indonesia Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) West Sumatera Chapter chairman Hanafiah said: “Mentawai Islands are a surfing paradise and surfers know the challenges of such places. Although the tsunami may affect travellers for now, the destination’s popularity will bounce back soon.”

The closest island in Mentawai, Muarasiberut, is more than 10 hours away by ferry from Padang, he said. The rest of the provincial areas was not affected by the tsunami. (Sources: Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta, TTGAsia)