Should Australian Surfers Be Boycotting Indonesia?
Photo: Nico Beighton
What Do You Think: Should Australian Surfers Be Boycotting Indonesia?
This morning the Australian public woke to the news that convicted Australian drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed by firing squad on the island of Nusakambangan at roughly 3.30am this morning despite their extensive rehabilitation and the exhaustive efforts by the Australian Governnment, the Australian public and the Australian media to have the Indonesian Government spare them.
The incident has been one of the most heavily debated and hotly spoken issues in Australia in recent months and has led to many calling for the boycott of Australian holiday makers to Bali and the rest of Indonesia.
Just cancelled our trip to Bali. Off to Fiji instead. #boycottbali
— khyleg (@KhyleG) April 27, 2015
At the time of writing this morning the Instagram hashtag #boycottbali has over 800 posts.
The reaction isn’t a surprise, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop suggested to 3AW radio in February, “I think the Australian people will demonstrate their deep disapproval of this action, including by making decisions about where they wish to holiday," she said.
This morning Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that Federal Governement would be withdrawing Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia.
However, Mr. Abbot also stated, “the relationship between Australia and Indonesia is important, remains important, will always be important, will become more important as time goes by. So I would say to people yes, you are absolutely entitled to be angry but we've got to be very careful to ensure that we do not allow our anger to make a bad situation worse."
Similar to arguments against cutting Australia’s contribution to Indonesia’s foreign aid, many are questioning whom a boycott of tourism, and with it surf tourism, to Indonesia would end up hurting most.
#BoycottIndonesia will only harm the honest, hard-working people who support their families & earn a living from tourism industries. #Bali9
— Vertigo (@studio_vertigo) April 28, 2015
Indonesia is estimated to be the no.1 tourist destination for outbound Australians with over a million Australians visiting the archipelago in 2013-14.
Indonesia holds a very special place in Australian surf culture, and is undoubtedly the no.1 foreign destination of surf travel for Australians. Ever since Albe Falzon’s Morning of The Earth graced cinemas up and down Australia’s coasts in 1972, the Indo surf trip has been almost considered a rite of passage for every keen Aussie surfer. But in light of current events, and with the Indo season about to get underway, some Australian surfers may be reconsidering that next Winter boat trip.
So, what are your thoughts: Should Australian Surfers Be Boycotting Indonesia?
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