Bali Tourism Awaits Government Nod for Foreign Arrivals

KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s resort island of Bali is ready to reopen its doors to foreign arrivals starting from September 11.

The plan, however, can only be implemented after the central government will no longer ban foreign tourists from entering the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“The minister of law and human rights is still not allowing foreign tourists to visit Indonesia,” said the head of the Bali Tourism Office Putu Astawa during a virtual press conference on the ninth anniversary of Tiket.com on August 12.

“As long as the regulation is still in place, the plan to reopen Bali [to foreign arrivals] on September 11 cannot be realized,” said Putu, referring to the Ministerial Regulation No. 11/2020 on the temporary prohibition of foreigners entering Indonesia.

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Although the reopening of Bali tourism to foreign tourists is still in the planning stage, Putu said that Bali Province is ready to welcome them.

“Hotels in Nusa Dua and Sanur are relatively safe and comfortable. If you need a vacation or self-isolation, it's very safe and ideal,” he said.

He said the number of domestic tourists in Bali is starting to increase. Tourist destinations in Bali began to reopen to its residents and local tourists on July 9 and Jul 31, respectively. This has led an increase in the number of flights to Bali.

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“The number of visitors via air travel has increased around 2,000 to 2,500 people per day since July 31. Hopefully, the number will always go up,” he said.