Bali Is Still Quiet, Stories Of Those Affected From Traders To Massage Therapists

BADUNG - Visits of foreign tourists and local tourists have not been crowded at the Kuta Art Market, the center of Balinese souvenirs, in the Kuta area, Badung Regency, Bali.

Many stalls chose to close. Meanwhile, those who are 'betting' on the hope of opening their kiosk must also feel the big impact, sluggish sales.

"Absolutely none. How many times I opened there were no guests, it was very quiet. There were at least one or two local tourists (who shopped). But very rarely, and they (mostly) just walked around," said Wayan Suri (62) when met at his trading stall, Friday, October 15.

This Kuta woman has been selling clothes and souvenirs at the Art Market since 1980. The current condition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, is the most difficult situation for her.

There is no income but must still pay the stalls of Rp. 15 million per year. Suri could not help but be forced to borrow capital from the bank.

“There is no income, so I borrow money from the bank. I rarely open, yes sometimes every two days. At that time, it was closed for about 4 and 5 months without being open during COVID-19," he said.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, sales of clothes and souvenirs at the kiosk could fetch Rp. 500-600 thousand per day when there were many tourists. But when conditions are quiet, Suri's income drops, even once she only gets Rp. 25 thousand.

In a pandemic, Suri is in a lot of trouble. He even sells canang just to fulfill his daily needs.

"Now how many times have I been open, I have never received money, there are no guests. At least I make canangs and sell them to the market. My husband doesn't work together (selling) here and I have four children," said Suri.

Suri hopes that the opening of international flights will have a good impact on the arrival of foreign tourists.

The same story about the difficulty of surviving the pandemic was told by Grandma Nyoman. He has been a massage therapist on Kuta Beach, Bali for decades.

Indeed, there are local tourists who come to Kuta Beach. But those who need hand massage services are very rare. Today alone, Nyoman only got Rp. 25 thousand.

"The money has been spent to buy drinks and food," he laughed.

In the past, Nyoman's grandmother used to massage foreign guests and local tourists 2 to 3 people per day. But now the situation is different.

"It's still quiet, there are no guests. There are only a few local tourists, many masseurs now. Ask my children, I have three children," he said.