DENPASAR - The fuel crisis that has dogged Bali for more than a week is being blamed for disrupting the tourism industry on the island.

Chairman of the Institute of Bali Development Empowerment Study, Dasi Astawa, told the Jakarta Post a fuel shortage in a region like Bali was unacceptable and was disrupting everyday businesses, especially in the tourism industry.

"Besides affecting the tourism industry, many low and middle-scale businesses are being disrupted by the shortage.

"Unless it has been caused by some major force, like a flood or storm, any other reasons for this ongoing fuel shortage are simply unacceptable," Dasi said.

Bagus Sudiana, of the Bali Association of Tourism Transportation, has received complaints from tourist guides and bus drivers who have run out of gas, forcing tourists to take to smaller vehicles.

"The crisis disrupts our daily trips as we have to revise the routes and anticipate the possibility of running out of gas,” said Sudiana.

“This crisis has tainted our image and tourists will question the government's campaigns for the Visit Indonesia Year because it can't even maintain a steady supply of oil to tourist destinations.

"As a nation, we may lose face in the front of the international community," he said.