In 2002, the advisory level was raised to "reconsider the need to travel", the second-highest on a scale of four. But now, it has dropped to the second-lowest level, "exercise a high degree of caution", which puts Bali at the same level as the Philippines and Thailand.
Both Australian and Indonesian businesses, travel associations and schools have welcomed the move.
Currently, Australian tourists account for over 26 per cent of inbound travel to the Indonesian island of Bali, and this number is expected to rise with the announcement.
Previously, despite the attack in 2005 and attacks on Western hotel chains in Jakarta in 2009, there was still an increase in the number of Australians' short-term visits from 288,000 in 2001 to 877,000 last year.
Indonesia became Australia’s second-most visited destination after New Zealand, pushing the US into third place.
So, what has changed to lower the Indonesia risk rating issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade?
According to consular policy head, Paula Ganly, “Iinformation from the embassy in Jakarta, the consul-general in Bali, intelligence reports and threat assessments indicate the "capacity and intent of terrorists to carry out attacks is less than it was.”
Ganly further says there is an improvement on the ability and commitment of Indonesian security authorities in addressing the threat.
Ganly added, if a rating stays at a high level, there would be complacency that would creep in among travelers, yet Australians have been very much aware of the "reconsider the need to travel" warning.
Though, there were some student organizations who prevented young people from travelling to Indonesia because of the high advisory level, Ganly says; despite this, there was still a rise in Indszonesia as a short-term holiday destination. This is because in part of the high Australian dollar.
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