Direct Flight between Bali, India Expected to Launch Soon

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia and India are in discussion to launch direct flights between Bali and India following a plan to reopen Bali's tourist attractions in the second semester after the Covid-19 pandemic hit its tourism industry hard. 

This was among other issues discussed by Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno and India's Ambassador to Indonesia Shri Manoj Kumar Bharti in Ubud, Bali on Wednesday. 

"I have just finished discussing the plan to reopen Bali tourism and [to launch] direct flights from India. We are now finalizing our preparations towards the plan and discussing other potential areas of cooperation, in terms of investment, trade, as well as tourism and creative economy, "said Sandiaga on March 17.

Also read: Bali Tops TripAdvisor’s 25 Best Global Destinations

Besides the tourism sector, the minister said Indonesia and India are keen to cooperate in the investment and trade sectors.

"We hope that the bilateral relations will be strengthened to raise the spirit, spread hope, open up more opportunities for Bali to rise, and to help the economy recover," Sandiaga said.

Both leaders also touched on the issue pertaining to technology adaptation as India is capable in the digital economy field which will be beneficial for some tourist villages.

He also said that this was one of the programs to boost tourism and restore the creative economy with a special approach to tourism village development.

Also read: Indonesia Highlights: Bali’s Tourist Attractions May Reopen in July | Boat Carrying 115 Indonesian Undocumented Migrant Workers, Children Returning from Malaysia Caught | Indonesias Covid-19 Task For

As he represents his government, Shri Manoj Kumar Bharti welcomed many ideas in reviving the Balinese economy, especially in terms of tourism and the creative economy. This includes the efforts to bring the Indian tourists back to Bali after the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"Soon we will open direct flights from India to Bali. I expect Indian citizens are confident enough to start visiting Bali when its tourist destinations are reopened to welcome international travelers," said Shri Manoj Kumar Bharti.

(Editor: Bambang P. Jatmiko)

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/03/18/084549126/genjot-pariwisata-kemenparekraf-buka-penerbangan-langsung-india-bali.