Maintaining Tourists’ Sense of Security with SKB

As an international tourist destination heavily reliant on its tourism economy, ensuring visitor safety is paramount for Bali, including protection from disaster risks. Recognising this need, the Bali Provincial Government initiated the Disaster Preparedness Certification (SKB) and continues to improve and expand its implementation.

Currently, the SKB program is focused on three-star hotels and above in Bali. Hotels wishing to obtain certification can register through this webpage. The application process involves document verification by the Bali SKB verification team, which operates under the coordination of the Bali Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD). The team also conducts on-site inspections to assess conditions directly.

In early July, the SKB verification team carried out a field inspection at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua. The team, comprising various stakeholders, was led by Ida Bagus Gede Widnyana Putra (Gusde), the Acting Head of the Prevention and Preparedness Division of BPBD Bali. Gusde explained that the team was verifying an extension of the SKB, not a new application. Eight verifiers were divided into four groups to assess specific aspects: security, disaster knowledge, preparedness and response capacity, and mitigation.

Sander Looijen, General Manager of The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. “We have an emergency response team within Marriott, but they may not fully understand the local conditions in Bali as well as your team does,” he said.

The inspection included checks on security equipment, first aid facilities, evacuation routes, and assembly points. The team also interviewed staff members. After a six-hour process, the team collected the documents for further review. “The results will be announced later—either passed or failed. If not passed, recommendations will be provided for improvements,” Gusde explained. SKB certifications are valid for three years, with annual monitoring. Upon expiration, hotels must apply for an extension. Importantly, the entire SKB application process is free of charge.

Living Document                          

The concept of preparedness certification dates back to 2013 when Bali hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Hotels accommodating delegates were required to meet preparedness standards. At the time, the Head of BPBD Bali developed a simple framework to address this need. Over the years, high-profile events in Bali increased the demand for similar certifications, leading to the formalisation of SKB, supported by Regional Regulation No. 5 of 2020 concerning Balinese Cultural Tourism Implementation Standards and Bali Governor Regulation (Pergub) No. 52 of 2021 concerning its implementing regulations. “This SKB is like a living document; its indicators have been continuously updated since 2014 to meet evolving needs,” Gusde explained.

I Made Rentin, Head of BPBD Bali, pointed out that approximately 80% of tourist accommodations in Bali are in disaster-prone areas. Coastal hotels are vulnerable to tsunamis, while cliffside hotels face landslide risks. Although spatial planning regulations prohibit construction in green zones, many such areas are already developed. Rentin proposed a pragmatic approach: “Rather than eradicating these establishments, let’s collaborate with them to build a disaster-resilient tourism sector.”

Despite the program’s potential, progress has been slow. By the end of 2023, only 99 of Bali’s 498 three-star-and-above hotels had obtained SKB. Efforts to accelerate adoption include reducing the number of certification indicators from 51 to 31 in 2024. The updated indicators incorporate principles of Gender, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Climate Change Adaptation (API) alongside disaster knowledge, mitigation, preparedness, response capacity, and security. The changes in indicators are also supplemented by a more complete team composition, namely the verification team, assessment team, and secretariat.

The SKB application process has also been digitised. Hotel managers can now upload required documents through an online platform, where the verification team reviews them. Certification from other organisations may also be accepted if aligned with SKB indicators.

The verification team now includes representatives from multiple sectors: BPBD, Disaster Risk Reduction Forum (FPRB), Health Office, Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), TNI/Polri, and tourism stakeholders such as the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI). The Environmental Office also participates, addressing environmental issues like waste management. Additionally, a Multi-Party Communication Forum on SKB was established to support the program and provide resources for the tourism sector. These changes were made by BPBD Bali together with related stakeholders with support from the SIAP SIAGA Program.

Budgeting challenges, once a significant obstacle, have been mitigated through support from the SIAP SIAGA Program, which encouraged collaboration with stakeholders. “The focus is now on strategies and policies to make SKB more effective and impactful,” Gusde said.

Consciousness-Based Certification

Rentin noted that SKB applications from hotels are increasing, driven by the certification’s impact on guest confidence and hotel occupancy rates. By the end of 2026, BPBD Bali aims for 60% of three-star hotels and above to hold SKB certification.

IB Cendra, General Manager of Sanur Resort Watujimbar Hotel, acknowledged the importance of SKB for risk management in the tourism sector. His hotel, accommodating 500–600 guests daily, prioritises disaster preparedness to ensure guest safety. “Foreign guests often ask about a hotel’s emergency readiness before booking. Certification builds trust and boosts business opportunities,” he said

Despite growing interest, BPBD Bali has kept the SKB application process free of charge to encourage participation based on genuine awareness. “This ensures that tourism actors pursue SKB out of a commitment to safety, environmental sustainability, and disaster preparedness,” Rentin explained.

The SKB initiative in Bali has inspired other provinces, including West Sumatra, Banten, West Java, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta, to explore similar programs. Rentin added that future plans include expanding SKB to other clusters, such as offices, restaurants, and healthcare facilities. By addressing these broader areas, Bali aims to enhance its reputation as a safe and secure destination for all visitors.