30% Of Bali Hotels Decide To Shut Down Operations During Travel Ban

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Around 30% of hotels in Bali that are registered with the Bali Hotel Association (BHA) have decided to close their operations during the upcoming travel ban.

The Executive Director of the Bali Hotel Association, Diah Ajung confirmed that around 30% of their members have recently decided to close their operations when the internal travel ban is implemented during Eid Al-Fitr Celebration which starts from the 6^th to 17^th of May 2021. As The Bali Sun previously reported, The decision was made to reduce additional loss amid the crisis that they have been facing since Covid-19 pandemic struck last year.

“The central government doesn’t seem to help the tourism sector in Bali as they no longer provide cash assistance or soft loans. And I’m afraid this might have a negative impact on the local community on the island.” Ajung said on Wednesday (28/3). She also explained that she was pretty disappointed with the travel restriction policy, especially during the annual holiday season when domestic tourists usually spend their holiday by visiting the island. “I think the central government needs to reconsider this policy, otherwise it could affect the ability of the tourism sector to recover in the future.” Ajung added. 

However, BHA has been supporting the plan to reopen the international travel corridor in three appointed green zone areas in near future. “We’ve proposed to the government to only allow visitors who are already vaccinated and tested negative for Covid-19 to gain entry into the island.” Ajung concluded. Meanwhile BHA has been cooperating with the authorities to support the Covid-19 vaccine distribution to Bali tourism workers on these days. They recorded that around 90,000 workers were registered to receive the Covid-19 vaccine and 25 hotels and resorts voluntarily turned their properties into temporary vaccination sites.