Indonesia fears tourism backlash to Corby verdict

DENPASAR - Indonesia's foreign ministry says it understands the depth of feeling over Schapelle Corby's 20-year jail sentence, but hopes talk of a tourism boycott of Bali won't go any further.

However, some New Zealand tourists are already expressing opposition to travelling to Bali or taking special precautions.

Marty Natalegawa at the Indonesian foreign ministry said today a boycott would run counter to an overall improvement in Indonesian-Australian relations in recent years.

He said Jakarta noted how the Australian government had been careful in its reaction to the Corby case, and he hoped the Australian people would also recognise and respect the fact that it was still a matter before the Indonesian courts.

The defence for 27-year-old Corby, from the Gold Coast, rested on the claim that baggage handlers put 4.1kg of marijuana in her unlocked boogie board bag to transport it from Brisbane to Sydney.

"It is fair that the Australian public should have a deep sense of sympathy for the plight of one of its nationals," Natalegawa said, adding that Indonesians would feel the same way if one of their people was caught up in a serious legal problem in a foreign country.

"But talk of a boycott is a little bit too much," he said.

Corby, 27, was sentenced last week to 20 years in jail and a $15,000 fine after she was caught with the marijuana in her bag at Denpasar airport in October last year.

Travel agents in New Zealand have also noted a reaction to the case, with Go Holidays saying it had had customers suggesting it should not be offering travel to Bali.

However, the company noted the importance of tourism to the Bali economy.

Other tourists are taking advantage of the plastic shrink-wrapping service for luggage at Christchurch and Auckland airports.

New Zealand aviation security service spokesman Mark Everitt said it made sense to protect luggage and the shrink-wrap process would determine whether a passenger's bag has been interfered with because it would stand out if the seal was broken.

- AAP, NEWSTALK ZB