Tsunami Ready Hotels First Newsletter
This is the first edition of the ‘Tsunami Ready Info’ newsletter. The newsletter will be published on an irregular basis, informing its recipients about the world of Tsunami Ready, new developments, best practice examples and related current events. The newsletter is sent to Tsunami Ready Hotels, partners and friends. As usually - you are invited to contribute and comment – just drop us a line, we are happy for any kind of ideas, input and suggestions.
Thank you for being part of the Tsunami Ready Community!
The AYANA – Indonesia’s first Tsunami Ready Hotel
In April the AYANA Resort and Spa became Indonesia’s first fully certified tsunami ready hotel. The hotels management takes security and safety issues very seriously – the tsunami ready certification process that involves an extensive range of procedures and trainings was initiated well before the devastating tsunami in Japan.
"We may be considered low-risk because of our cliff-top location, but that is no reason to be complacent," said AYANA's General Manager Charles de Foucault. "This certification will enable us to safeguard our guests and also assist with people from outside the hotel who may come to AYANA to seek refuge on higher ground, in case of a tsunami."
Congratulations and thank you AYANA Resort and Spa!
Tsunami Ready Hotels - Best Practice
The Water Issue
Tsunami ready hotels need to provide sufficient food and water for at least 2 days without external supplies in a post tsunami situation. This rule is an important part of post disaster preparedness. Tsunami Ready hotels calculate at least 3 liters of water per person per day. This can amount to a lot of water considering that some hotels will evacuate well over 1000 people and not all hotels are able to maintain permanent water storage of such size.
As a pragmatic solution to this challenge some hotels implemented an SOP to plug and fill top floor bath tubs once an evacuation order has been issued. Maybe not a very elegant but definitely practical ‘out of the box’ solution that might make a difference in times of need.
Alarm at the Push of a Button
Nature provides natural tsunami early warning signs. If seawater is moving unusually fast away from the shoreline, exposing parts of the beach that usually are well covered by water - chances are that a tsunami is imminent. The St. Regis Hotel in Nusa Dua/Bali installed a ‘panic button’ at its beach bar. If the St. Regis staff notices the tell-tale signs of an approaching wave they trigger the hotels tsunami alarm directly without much discussion following the motto: ‘Better safe than sorry’.
Emergency Notification –Even Without Power
In Indonesia it is very likely that a tsunami is triggered by a strong earthquake. Experience shows that in such situations conventional communication devices like mobile phones and internet fail. Power disruptions are additional common phenomena. However most alarm notification systems like sirens and loudspeaker rely on electrical power so Tsunami Ready hotels need to utilize communication devices that function independently from external power sources. Most hotels rely on generators to kick in as soon as public power is cut off.
To be extra safe the Nikko Resort and Spa in Bali will beat traditional wooden drums called ‘KulKul’ in case of emergency. The drums are located in strategic locations along the beachfront installations of the property. The drums rely on human muscle power only and will be beaten in case of a tsunami alarm.
Always in the Know –
Tsunami Early Warning and Earthquake Info Sources
The availability of fast and reliable information is a key precondition for fast and efficient evacuation. Tsunami Ready will introduce the most valuable information sources to you – one at a time. If you require a comprehensive list of free and reliable information sources, drop us a line at .
BMKG Website
The BMKG website provides almost real time tsunami and earthquake information on a map. It is one of the best tsunami and earthquake sources available in Indonesia. However it only functions if power is available and the Internet works. During emergencies the site is often overloaded.
What guests can expect at a Tsunami Ready Hotel
Tsunami evacuation signs guiding to the nearest evacuation spot.
A well trained evacuation team, easily to be recognized by their signal vests which are equipped with a whistle as well as torch guiding guests to safety in case of an emergency.
In-room information material on the hotels tsunami evacuation procedures.
Earthquake preparedness information.
What is ‘Tsunami Ready Hotels’?
'Tsunami Ready Hotels' defines and certifies tsunami safety standards for the hotel industry. We advise train and certify places that are prepared for tsunami. Which places are prepared? Just look it up on our website.
'Tsunami Ready Hotels' started in Indonesia but works with a focus on Southeast Asia.'Tsunami Ready Hotels' is actively supported by Bali Hotels Association [BHA] and cooperates with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia as well as ASEAN.In a 'Tsunami Ready' Hotel you can be sure that a well prepared team will take care of you in case of emergency.
Tsunami Ready Hotels
Conrad Bali - Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel & Villas - Hotel Sanur Beach - Hard Rock Hotel Bali - Ramada Benoa Resort Bali - The HavenSeminyak - Ayana Resort and Spa Bali - St. Regis Bali Resort - The Laguna Resort & Spa Bali - Nikko Bali Resort and Spa - Melia Bali Villas & Spa Resort - W Retreat & Spa Bali Seminyak - Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel & Suites - Alila Villas Soori - The Royal Beach Seminyak - The Legian - AnantaraSeminyak Bali Resort & Spa - Marriott Courtyard Nusa Dua