The increased volcanic activity of Mount Anak Krakatau to Level III or Alert status is now starting to have a significant impact on the tourism industry in the coastal region of South Lampung. A number of tour operators have reported a drastic decline in visitors as many prospective tourists decide to cancel their trips.
According to the latest report from MAGMA Indonesia, under the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mount Anak Krakatau continues to show activity, emitting white crater smoke between 10 and 100 meters above the peak. As a mitigation measure, authorities have reiterated a ban on residents, fishermen, and tourists from engaging in activities within a three-kilometer radius of the active crater center.
One tour operator, Chandra, revealed that although the tour packages offered do not permit climbing or landing on the island, the negative sentiment surrounding the Alert status still triggers anxiety. Tourists are now choosing to cancel their travel plans due to safety concerns, even though tour operations in the Sunda Strait are actually still running in a limited capacity from a safe distance.
Before the surge in volcanic activity, Chandra was typically able to operate tour packages with a capacity of around 50 people per departure, priced at IDR 400,000 per person, which included transportation, meals, and accommodation on Sebesi Island. Currently, order cancellations have been reported from various regions, including tourists from Bekasi and Palembang who were previously regular customers.
