Paris, The International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA) strongly condemns the bombing attacks which occurred 12 October on Indonesia's island of Bali, a favourite tourist destination for international travellers. "IH&RA vigorously condemns this heinous and violent act which resulted in such a great loss of lives," said IH&RA CEO, Alain-Philippe Feutré, who called the recent bombings "a blatant attack against international tourists and the tourism industry." Mr. Feutré also offered his condolences to the victims of the Bali attack stating, "On behalf of IH&RA and our members around the world, we extend our deepest sympathy to all those whose lives have been touched, directly or indirectly, by this tragedy."

The attacks on Bali were a direct strike to the international tourism industry as Indonesia is one of the great countries of tourism, receiving a total of 5.2 million international tourists in 2001. The island of Bali, specifically, is one of the world's premier tourist destinations, revered for its pristine environment and the Balinese renowned as a peaceful and welcoming people.

Since the attacks of 11 September, 2001, IH&RA members, hotel and restaurant establishments around the world, have been committed to re-establishing traveller confidence and enhancing and strengthening traveller safety and security within hospitality establishments. IH&RA again strongly urges international organisations and world governments to do their part to ensure that measures are taken to strengthen security at national levels, and to ensure that these measures are harmonised internationally and applied globally.

National governments in Europe, the Americas and Australia are calling on their citizens to immediately vacate Indonesia following the recent violent events. IH&RA pledges to monitor the situation in Indonesia and in neighbouring countries in Asia and the Pacific as the hospitality industry must, again, brace itself for massive cancellations from international travellers. IH&RA also strongly urges the media and world governments which issue travel advisory warnings to give regular objective updates on the security conditions in the region, so that once the situation improves, international travel to the area can resume.

The International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA) is a network of international and national hotel and restaurant chains, and national hotel and restaurant associations in more than 100 countries. Its mission is to protect, promote and inform the hospitality industry worldwide. Through its membership network, IH&RA represents over 300,000 hotels and 8 million restaurants, which employ 60 million people and contribute US$ 950 billion annually to the global economy.

Summer Jauneaud
Director of Communications
+ 33 1 4488 9224
IH&RA