reinstatement of visa free entry and on arrival called by tourism forum

A group of tour operators have called on the central government to ease entry requirements for travelers to Bali as the long-awaited revival of international tourism on the island has been met with only groans.

The Bali Rise Forum (FBB) made the case yesterday in a meeting with government officials, the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI) and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, advocating for the need to recognize Bali. as a special tourist area.

"[One way to do this] is to make visa-on-arrival and visa-free [for international travelers arriving in Bali], especially for travelers from countries with low COVID-19 cases," said FBB member Puspa Negara told a conference. Meet.

Indonesia, which grants such visa privileges to a large number of international travellers, many of whom holiday in Bali, suspended waivers when it tightened its borders at the start of the pandemic.

The forum also suggested that the mandatory quarantine specifically for travelers to Bali be shortened as part of the central government's plan to extend the period to 14 days. Bali reopened to foreign tourists from several countries in October.

Before the reopening, the island only welcomed 45 international tourists in the first 10 months of 2021. We have not seen the numbers after the October reopening, although early indications suggest that the revival of tourism international is a real disappointment.