Bali’s Mount Agung has been threatening to erupt for three weeks, with the highest category alert issued for the region.
But the local tourism authority insists the holiday island is still safe to visit.
According to the Bali Tourism Board, 98 per cent of Bali’s tourist attractions are safely outside of the danger zone.
Dewa Gede Ngurah Byomantara from the Board’s Bali Tourism Hospitality Division said: “According to information from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, 98 percent of the tourist areas remain safe in Bali, even if Mount Agung erupts.
“Kuta, Ubud, Nusa Dua, and Sanur are located far from Mount Agung. Until now, we believe that the area beyond 12 kilometres from Mount Agung’s crater remains safe.”
Those two per cent of attractions in the firing line include Besakih, Tulamben and Tirta Gangga.
The rest are all outside the Mount Agung exclusion perimeter, which extends for nine to 12 kilometres around the volcano.
Officials say tourists should still visit the remaining parts of the island, as Bali prepares for a drastic hit to its holiday industry.
Tourism is the biggest industry for the Balinese economy, and cancellations caused by the Mount Agung threat are set to take their toll.
The Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) estimates around 70,000 travellers will cancel their holidays between October and November due to the volcano.
While tourists will be safe in areas outside the danger zone, the ensuing ash cloud from an erupting volcano could wreak havoc on flight schedules.
Ash clouds in the area have caused widespread flight cancellations in the past.
