Tourists' Visit To Bali Increases Triple Times After COVID-19 Vaccination

ILLUSTRATION/BALI NGURAH RAI AIRPORT (BETWEEN)

DENPASAR - Domestic tourists visiting Bali have tripled after the COVID-19 vaccination.

The Tourism Office released this increase based on the arrival data of passengers at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali. Because, since vaccination was done around the beginning of February 2021 the number of passenger arrivals at Ngurah Rai Airport in the range of 1.900 to 3.000 passengers.

Furthermore, the figure increased when compared to the end of March and early April. The number is in the range of 6.000 to 8.000 in a day.

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of Culture, Environment, and Public Relations of Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali I Gusti Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya mentioned the increase in wisdom to Bali.

"In the post for the (coming) to Bali it went up to 8.000 and 9.000", Suryawijaya said when contacted, Monday, April 12.

The increase in wisdom visits to the Island of the Gods, due to post-holiday, tourist confidence after vaccination, and the existence of holiday promos.

"The vaccination has now been done massively. Especially the priority in the tourism sector and tourist attractions to build trust. It will slowly open up our business in tourism", he added.

Although local tourists' visits are increasing to Bali, it has not been able to revive Bali's economy. Because there are 146 thousand hotel rooms available are still empty.

Meanwhile, for wisdom visits, it only fills 16 thousand residential rooms or 15 percent and it has not had a significant impact on hospitality in Bali.

"That's also with a record open only 60 percent of which 40 percent is still closed", he explained.

Hotel employees have not been hired much after being laid off and housed. The reason is that the hotel also has to finance the operation and maintenance of the hotel property.

In addition, 300 thousand hotel employees are currently only 60 percent or about 180 thousand employees who work in turn. Then, the new hotel can breathe a sigh of relief if occupancy reaches 40 percent per day.

"So companies by way of management strategies organize employees as efficiently as possible. I know the hotel's operations are high, among others, the cost of electricity, maintenance, and salaries of employees", he said.

Separately, The Head of Bali Tourism Office Putu Astawa explained, the increase in the amount of wisdom due to the COVID-19 vaccination so that tourists believe to come to Bali. In addition, Bali has implemented strict health protocols and runs vaccination programs.

"The cause may be due to the trust or confidence of tourists", he explained.

In addition, people began to get saturated during the pandemic and wanted a vacation. Then, from late March to early April there was a long Easter holiday. Then the price of the COVID-19 test is now more affordable than before.

"In addition to saturated also because of the holidays and now it is allowed GeNose", said Astawa.