Bali Ferry Fire: A passenger ferry (Putri Yasmin) caught fire off Bali en route to Lombok, killing 1 Indonesian woman and rescuing 211 people; authorities say the manifest didn’t match the final passenger count and an investigation is underway. Wildfire Travel Disruption: East Java’s Mount Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park remains closed as wildfires spread and crews fight hot spots, with concerns about smoke forcing school shutdowns and threatening nearby areas. Tourism Policy Tech: South Africa launched an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, with initial rollout for short-stay travellers from China, India, and Indonesia, aiming to speed entry while rejecting thousands of fraudulent applications. Cross-Border Connectivity: Batam–Johor Ro-Ro ferry service is expected to start by mid-2027, pending port readiness and approvals from both countries. Outbound Demand Watch: Indonesia is seeing a surge of travellers heading to China during the summer season, with one agency citing a roughly 20% year-on-year increase. Independence Day Hospitality: InterContinental Bali Resort is running “Celebrate Indonesian Pride” (14–20 Aug) with regional food, culture, and artisan experiences for the 81st Independence Day. Market & Travel Finance: Indonesia’s IDX responded to MSCI’s August review after the index dropped 10 Indonesian stocks, with changes effective after Aug 31.