“Work from Bali” to Save Tourism Sector: Indonesian Minister

"Bali has 140,000 hotel rooms. Imagine when only 10 percent of the 140,000 rooms are being occupied. It means that many employees in Bali do not work for 10-14 months," Odo told a virtual press conference, Saturday, May 22.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the arrival of foreign tourists contributed to 55 percent of foreign exchange and tourism income.

"If we can replace 75 percent foreign tourists with domestic tourists, with a rising quality level of shopping and the length of stay, we hope Bali can have positive economic growth at the end of Q3 and Q4 this year," Sandiaga said.

Also read: Bali Mull Covid-19 Jab Drive for Travelers to Revive Tourism

Head of Bank Indonesia Representative in Bali, Trisno Nugroho, said that during the Covid-19 pandemic Bali has been severely affected because 52-56 percent of its economy depends on the tourism sector.

"Out of 34 provinces in Indonesia, Bali’s economy in 2020 was the most depressed. In 2020, when all provinces had positive economic growth, Bali was still negative. In the first to fourth quarters, Bali's economy contracted 12 percent," said Trisno.

Besides promoting Bali tourism, WFB can also support a digital nomad or someone who works regardless of time and place.

"We hope it will be able to encourage our readiness for digital nomads and also to embrace YouTubers and celebrities who are already in the legal corridor of implementing digital nomads,” Sandiaga said.

(Writer: Ni Nyoman Wira Widyanti, Desy Kristi Yanti | Editor : Anggara Wikan Prasetya)

Sources:https://travel.kompas.com/read/2021/05/25/070700827/work-from-bali-ditargetkan-sebagai-pertolongan-pertama-pariwisata-bali

https://travel.kompas.com/read/2021/05/22/190700327/pariwisata-bali-sekarat-pemerintah-luncurkan-program-work-from-bali