A Glimmer Of Hope For The Tourism Sector After The International Gate On The Island Of The Gods Is Opened Again

JAKARTA - A number of tourism players in Bali welcome the reopening of international doors. The hope is to restore the tourism sector and Bali's economy, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, the government had reopened international entrances in Bali for non-Indonesian migrant workers (PPLN non-PMI) foreign travelers on February 4.

"We really appreciate and welcome this and on February 3 last there was an inaugural flight from Japan. That's what came from the tour bureau actors from Japan, which of course later they can explain to prospective tourists in Japan about the factual conditions in Bali," said a tourism practitioner. from Legian, Bali Wayan Puspanegara in Badung Regency, Sunday, February 6, reported by Antara.

Although the number of tourists who arrived in Bali after the international doors opened was still very minimal and there was only one commercial flight, according to him, this was very hopeful and brought fresh air to tourism businesses in Bali.

"We are optimistic that even though there are still few who arrived in Bali on the inaugural flight yesterday, this shows that Bali is ready to receive foreign tourists safely and healthily and they will also disseminate this to potential tourists there," he said.

Wayan Puspanegara revealed, to welcome and provide a sense of security to foreign tourists, all tourism actors in Bali are ready and will implement health protocols, especially the CHSE protocol in a disciplined manner.

"For example, accommodation businesses are currently starting to repair their hotel rooms that are not operating even though there are still few tourists. We are all very ready and very eager to welcome the arrival of foreign tourists," said Puspanegara who is also the chairman of the Bali Marginal Tourism Actors Alliance (APPMB) the.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Regional Management Board (DPD) of the Association of The Indonesian Tours And Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali I Putu Winastra explained, the arrival of the first tourists transported by Garuda Indonesia airline from Japan on Thursday (3/2) ago is a positive energy that brings optimism to all tourism actors in Bali

"The reopening of Bali as the entry point for the PPLN is a good sign that the tourism sector on the Island of the Gods will start to revive again," he said.

He added that the arrival of tourists in Bali was an opportunity for Bali to show its readiness to foster trust for potential foreign tourists to visit Bali.

According to Putu Winastra, ASITA Bali together with all other tourism components are very ready to receive foreign tourist arrivals in Bali.

"We have prepared the SOP with the government and we hope that there will be no more problems and obstacles in the future. Of course, many tourists will not come directly, all of which require a process," he said.

In welcoming foreign tourists who come to Bali, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has also designed a warm up vacation program.

This program is an innovation designed for tourists or PPLNs who have just arrived in Bali so that they can undergo quarantine in a hotel with a bubble system that allows them to be active not only in their room, but can carry out various activities in a special bubble area prepared by the hotel manager.

One of the tourists from Japan who took part in the Bali warm up vacation program at the Grand Hyatt Bali Hotel Naomi revealed that the warm up vacation program is an interesting program, because he can enjoy the facilities available at the hotel outside the room, like a staycation which is one of the options. tourists since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"So far I am satisfied with the packages and facilities provided in this bubble scheme. I have also received electronic messages from Japanese journalists in Tokyo who are interested in exploring the idea of ​​Bali warming up vacation," he said.