Increased volcanic activity at Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK) has dealt another blow to the tourism sector in the Sunda Strait region. An exclusion zone established by relevant authorities has caused tourism service providers to lose customers due to restrictions on landing access for tourists.
Chandra, a Krakatau *open trip* tour operator, explained that tourists are currently only allowed to witness the mountain's charm from a safe distance by boat. This strict procedure is implemented to ensure visitor safety from the threats of volcanic ash and toxic gas exposure that could occur at any time.
Previously, tour packages to the Krakatau area were a main attraction priced at IDR 400,000 per person, covering transportation, accommodation on Sebesi Island, and meals. However, since the mountain's activity status increased, trip cancellations by prospective tourists from various regions such as Bekasi and Palembang have surged significantly. Quite a few have ultimately redirected their holiday destinations to other tourist spots in Lampung.
This slump in the tourism sector has a direct impact on the economy of local communities who have relied on tourist visits around Sebesi Island. For business operators, visitor safety remains the top priority over financial profit, even though their income has dropped significantly.
To survive amid the uncertainty of volcanic activity, tour service providers have temporarily switched to providing sea transportation services. They operate regular ferry crossings from Canti Port to Sebesi Island while waiting for Mount Anak Krakatau to return to normal and safe conditions for tourism activities.
