Bali tourists show resilience

The reaction of tourists in Bali to Saturday's bombings is very different from that of 2002, according to an industry body.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) says tourists have become more resilient to terrorism and are continuing to enjoy their holidays in the aftermath of Saturday's attacks.

Twenty-five people were killed when three suicide bombers blew themselves up in the resorts of Kuta and Jimbaran beach.

Pata president Peter Semone, who has been in Kuta since the day after the attacks, said: "It is difficult to estimate the tourism impact of the incident at this point. It is, however, very different from the October 2002 bombing. Activity by tourists and locals continues. Those that have chosen to stay in Bali are continuing to enjoy their holidays.

"It seems that tourists are becoming more resilient to these sorts of events. As you walk around the streets of Jimbaran and Kuta one would almost think that nothing has happened here. People are still dining in restaurants, walking around and shopping, enjoying the beach and enjoying their holiday."

The scale of Saturday's attacks was much smaller than in October 2002 when more than 200 people died.

The 2002 attacks had a devastating impact on Bali's economy as the number of tourists holidaying on the island plummeted and visitor numbers have only recently begun to recover.

The number of UK visitors to Bali was over 70,000 in 2002, but fell to less than half that the following year.

This year has seen a resurgence with more than 50,000 Brits heading to Bali, although this is still well below pre-October 2002 levels.

The Foreign Office is advising holidaymakers planning to visit Bali to exercise extreme caution.