In Reply to: Travel Warnings posted by Maverick on Friday, 22. January 2010 at 07:32 Bali Time:
Although the Bali Hotel Associations response is a little simplistic and unreasonable, I think Putu_Les is correct, again.
If the media were to read the very first line of the DFAT travel advisory they would see:
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Local Travel (Balinese New Year). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
However, this is not newsworthy, so all they say is that the travel advice has been updated, and quote some of the next lines. True, but not the complete truth. The general public hear "travel advice update" and think "warning level increased".
Yes, the government has to cover their collective backsides. After having people contact the Australian Consulate-General to get the government to agree to cover their flights home if they choose to stay after travel advisories suggesting they leave, I don't blame the government for covering backsides!