Denpasar, Baliwakenews.com – Bali’s hotel industry is calling for a comprehensive review of fuel distribution governance and stronger crisis preparedness after fuel disruptions and long queues at petrol stations affected transportation, workforce attendance and supply chains across the island.

The Indonesian Hotel General Manager Association (IHGMA) Bali Chapter said the disruption, which began on October 11, 2026, exposed weaknesses in distribution effectiveness, public communication and emergency response coordination.

Although queues reportedly began easing on October 17–18, the association stressed that the incident should become a turning point for improving Bali’s preparedness for future crises.

Chair of IHGMA Bali Chapter, Ratu Agung Bagus Ngurah Putra, is associated with the organisation’s call for stronger coordination between the government, Pertamina and tourism industry stakeholders to safeguard Bali’s tourism sustainability.

“Bali’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination must be supported by reliable, transparent and resilient governance of infrastructure and essential supply distribution,” Chair of IHGMA Bali Chapter, Ratu Agung Bagus Ngurah Putra stated in its official release.

Fuel Disruptions Hit Hotel Operations

An internal IHGMA Bali survey conducted from October 14–17, 2026, recorded 259 responses for each question, highlighting the operational challenges faced by hospitality businesses during the disruption.

A total of 228 responses reported travel delays, transportation disruptions and traffic congestion, potentially affecting airport transfers, guest pick-ups, visits to tourist destinations and scheduled activities.

Employee attendance was another major concern, with 241 responses reporting staff lateness. In an industry dependent on shift-based operations and continuous service, delays can increase workloads for employees already on duty and disrupt service delivery.

Supply chains were also affected. Some 228 responses reported delays in goods deliveries and logistics, while 20 indicated supply disruptions or vendors being unable to deliver. These issues can affect the availability of food and beverages, linen, cleaning supplies and other hotel essentials.

The association cautioned that the figures represent survey response frequencies, not estimates of the proportion of all hotels in Bali affected by the disruption.

Fuel Stocks Do Not Guarantee Availability

IHGMA Bali highlighted the gap between reports of sufficient fuel stocks at storage terminals and the actual availability of fuel at individual petrol stations.

The association said authorities and Pertamina should provide clearer information distinguishing terminal stock volumes, incoming supply schedules, distribution capacity and actual availability at fuel stations.

Regular, accurate updates would help residents and visitors make informed decisions while reducing uncertainty, panic buying and speculation.

The association also noted that extending petrol station operating hours requires adequate staffing, appropriate shift arrangements, sufficient rest periods, security support and effective queue management. Longer operating hours alone cannot guarantee smooth service if operational resources are insufficient.

Calls for Earlier Crisis Response

IHGMA Bali said several mitigation measures, including work-from-home arrangements, online learning, odd-even vehicle restrictions, fuel purchase limits, additional supplies and security personnel deployment, were implemented after queues had already spread.

The association recommended establishing crisis protocols that can be activated earlier using measurable indicators, such as longer waiting times, declining fuel availability at petrol stations and disruptions to transport or logistics services.

It also called for stronger coordination among regional authorities, Pertamina, security agencies, petrol station operators, transport providers and tourism industry representatives.

“Officials’ presence on the ground should help accelerate distribution, resolve operational bottlenecks, manage queues and ensure that accurate information reaches the public,” added Ratu Agung Bagus.

Bali’s International Tourism Image at Stake

The fuel disruption attracted international media attention, with coverage from outlets including the Associated Press, Channel News Asia, the South China Morning Post and Euronews on October 14, 2026.

IHGMA Bali warned that reports and images of long queues, tourists losing valuable travel time and disruptions to daily activities could affect perceptions of Bali as an international tourism destination.

To protect visitor confidence, the association urged authorities and tourism stakeholders to communicate practical information proactively, including which petrol stations are operating, current fuel availability, delivery arrangements and expected recovery timelines.

The survey found that 221 responses cited providing updated information to guests as a mitigation measure. Meanwhile, 229 responses reported adjustments to staff shifts and working hours, while another 229 cited increasing buffer stocks and placing orders earlier to minimise operational disruption.

These measures reflect the efforts of hospitality businesses to maintain service quality despite uncertainty in transportation and supply deliveries.

Stronger Oversight and Crisis Communication

IHGMA Bali also called for tougher oversight of suspected fuel hoarding, distribution abuse and resale at unreasonable prices. It recommended accessible reporting channels, transparent investigations and appropriate enforcement based on evidence and applicable regulations.

“Tourism offices and industry associations should also be involved in disseminatin information and mitigation guidance to hotels, travel agents, drivers, transport providers, and tourists. Timely and coordinated communication is necessary to limit the spread of unverified information, panic, and speculation,” he said.

Other recommendations include improving fuel demand planning, strengthening reserve mechanisms, establishing a transparent digital information system and developing an integrated crisis communication mechanism for the tourism industry.

The proposed communication system would help ensure that timely and consistent information reaches tourists, hotels, travel agents, airlines and international partners.

IHGMA Bali acknowledged the efforts of the government, Pertamina, security authorities and businesses to accelerate recovery. However, it warned that the gradual easing of queues should not bring the review process to an end.

The association emphasised that the October fuel disruption was not merely an issue of energy availability, but also a test of distribution systems, institutional coordination, crisis communication and the resilience of industries dependent on mobility.

IHGMA Bali said it stood ready to work with the government and other stakeholders to strengthen crisis preparedness, maintain hospitality service continuity and safeguard Bali’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination. BWN-07