Indonesia to Reopen for Foreign Tourists Mid-Year

KOMPAS.com - Indonesia hopes to welcome back vaccinated foreign tourists by the middle of this year, to be precise around June to July, the month when travel restrictions may be lifted.

"We continue to finalize the preparation for the Safe Travel Corridor Arrangement in Bali, Batam and Bintan. For Bali, there are three areas included, namely Nusa Dua, Sanur and Ubud,” Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said in a weekly press briefing at the ministry's building in Jakarta Monday, March 29.

Sandiaga hoped that everyone in the sector of tourism and the creative economy in the green zones, areas with zero coronavirus cases, will be prioritized in receiving Covid-19 vaccination to create herd immunity.

"However, if the [workers] are unwell, we hope that business owners and tourism operators offer more flexibility for staff and should not lay off employees. This is a very tough time for the tourism and the creative economy industry,” said Sandi.

He urged all people, including those in the green zones, to continue to implement health protocols, so that they become more ready to welcome foreign tourists when they are allowed to enter Indonesia.

Also read: Direct Flight between Bali, India Expected to Launch Soon

Travel corridor

Meanwhile, the Safe Travel Corridor Arrangement will cover the green zones. In the context of Bali, for example, the green zones are part of what officials describe as a Covid-free corridor, where all residents and people who conduct businesses within Ubud, Sanur and Nusa Dua, will be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Bali Deputy Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati or popularly known as Cok Ace disclosed the plan for the Bali-China travel corridor during a webinar held on Thursday, March 25.

Under the plan, the tourists from China who have been vaccinated in their country will be allowed to come to Bali through this corridor.

"We target the Chinese tourists as we know that the country has managed to get out of the pandemic following a successful vaccination program,” Cok Ace said recently. 

Besides Bali, there are also travel corridors in the Riau Islands, namely Nongsa Point and Lagoi which are scheduled to open in April. 

"We are still in discussion. The proposal is on how the Safe Travel Corridor Arrangement could provide a sense of security. In dealing with the health crisis, safety and security must be prioritized,” said Sandiaga.

SHUTTERSTOCK/GUITAR PHOTOGRAPHER Illustration of tourists on vacation on Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida, Bali.

Bali gears up to welcome foreign tourists

Bali governor Wayan Koster has designated the island's popular destinations in Ubud, Sanur, and Nusa Dua as the green zones.