"Tickets sold for visiting a tourist site should also include an insurance guarantee."Sukabumi (ANTARA News) - Two local tourists have died and two others are missing, and are expected to have drowned at sea while visiting the Palabuhanratu beach of Sukabumi in West Java during the Idul Fitr holiday, a rescuer said on Wednesday.
"All four are expected to have died, two were found drowned and two others are still missing," chief rescuer Okih Fajrie Assidiqie said.
The tourists reportedly went missing after they swam too far from coastal lines and entered the danger zone.
Assidiqie said that his team of rescuers has been divided into two groups to search for the two people who are still missing.
Maman, a rescue team member said that supervision of other visiting tourists has also been stepped up, and the team has been directed to take firm action against any tourists, who try to endanger themselves or others.
"But we are facing a tough time supervising all the tourists as there are a lot of them, and it is difficult to keep simultaneous tabs on those who are swimming and others who are simply bathing," he said.
Earlier, the Indonesian Consumers Institute Foundation (YLKI) had called upon tourist operators to ensure the safety of visitors during the Idul Fitr holidays.
"There are two kinds of threats that Idul-Fitr holiday makers face, namely during transportation and while visiting tourist sites. Both of these are related to their safety," YLKI Executive Chairman Sudaryatmo said.
He also noted that many tourist spots in the country do not have competent officials, the required safety certification, evacuation lanes, or official instructions that spell out dos and don'ts for travelers.
"Tickets sold for visiting a tourist site should also include an insurance guarantee. The inclusion of insurance is extremely important because it concerns the safety of consumers and protects them from unforeseen circumstances," Sudaryatmo explained.
"A ticket that includes insurance, also ensures a certain degree of protection for consumers during their visits to tourist sites," he added.
Sudaryatmo stated that tourist operators should also pay special attention to visitors with children. "For example, they should have a rule that says it is mandatory for children visiting tourist spots to always be accompanied by their parents."
He also urged tourist operators to not just focus on profit, but also pay enough attention to the safety of visitors, so that such undesirable incidents can be avoided.
(Uu.A014/INE/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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