During the pandemic, the number of visitors and tourist in Bali dropped down significantly. However officials observed a slight peak in the number right before Christmas holiday. This explains the year end tourism boom which the island is experiencing at the moment during pandemic era.
Spokesperson of the airport management firm PT Angkasa Pura I, Ngurah Rai Airport, Taufan Yudhistira said that they increased activity before Christmas as domestic travelers desired to spend the holiday at the Island of Bali.
“The peak of departures and arrivals in Bali through Ngurah Rai Airport was 16,789 passengers on Wednesday, Dec. 23,” Taufan said yesterday.
However in comparison to last year as per Taufan the number is 82 percent lower for the same period. The total number of passengers who passed through Ngurah Rai during the period of Dec. 18-27 last year was 744,885, whereas this year 137,505 passengers were recorded.
Even with this huge difference in the numbers, the tour operators have reported it to be the best since the start of pandemic all thanks to the increasing influx of domestic tourists for the Christmas and New year holidays.
The numbers may have been great but the last minute change for corona testing requirement before entering the Island which eventually led to a refund of 22 million dollars in flight fare. Though the steps were taken for the best of the public health.