Bali’s Deputy Governor Reiterates Request For More Direct Flights From China

Share The Article

As Bali welcomes and celebrates the first 1,000 arrivals on direct flights from China, Deputy Governor of Bali Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, is reiterating his calls for more flights from mainland China to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International. The Deputy Governor, who is often referred to by his nickname Cok Ace, told reporters that his party is exploring the potential for direct flights from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou to Bali Airport.

Speaking to reporters, Cok Ace said, “we are trying to increase other flights from different cities. In the past, there were quite a number of provinces that China could serve, but even though they can’t be the same as before the pandemic, at least they can be improved.”

Addressing a room of reporters on Thursday, 16th September, the Deputy Governor confirmed that the Governor of Hainan in China would visit Bali this weekend, from the 18th of February. He noted that the trip is to build on the cooperative relationship that has existed since Governor Mangku Pastika held office in Bali.

Cok Ace continued to share that Hanian Province in Bali is an area of huge potential for Bali’s tourism economy, despite cities in the region contributing less than cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The Deputy Governor continued, “other [provinces in China] have great potential because we know that China’s economic growth is extraordinary. There are many newly rich people in provinces that we previously ruled out; we did not take them into account.”

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

Easily Earn Points For Free Travel

During the press meeting, Cok Ace confirmed that Indonesia’s Minster for Tourism and Creative Economies will visit Bali on Wednesday, 22nd February, to discuss the Chinese tourism market in Bali. Meetings will touch upon discussions of how the central government’s policies can bolster efforts to attract more tourists from China and other target demographics.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno (@sandiuno)

Cok Ace concluded that tourism from China in Bali is a good thing for Indonesia’s economy as a whole. He said, “from our statistics, China, although it has just opened, our records from January [show] 10,143 tourists who have been to Bali. This is very good. Our hope is that in the future, China will contribute qualitatively and qualitatively”. Data also shows that 1,143 passengers have arrived in Bali on direct flights from mainland China since their borders reopened for international travel on the 8th January 2023.

The Bali Provincial Government has set targets to welcome 9 million domestic tourists in 2023 and 4.5 million international tourists. In the last few weeks, the Head of the Bali Province Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, has announced that several airlines have submitted requests for new flight routes to and from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International.

Pemayun confirmed that thirteen airlines have requested to operate flights from Bali’s only commercial airport. Though he did not name the airlines, he shared that carriers from China, the US, Russia, Japan, and India are all awaiting approval for their new schedules.

In early February, Indonesia’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia, confirmed increased flights from Australia to the Island of the Gods. In the coming months, travelers from all over the world will find it much easier to find more direct flights to Bali.

Garuda Indonesia announced an increase in their Sydney-Bali schedule. As of 5th April, the service will run three times weekly, increasing to four times a week ahead of the school holidays in July. Equally, the Melbourne-Bali Garuda Indonesia schedule will increase its operation to twice a week in early April.

In 2023, tourism stakeholders in Bali are placing a strong focus on attracting a wide range of travel demographics to the island. Stakeholders have stated their intentions to attract more tourists from China and India specifically. Tourism business leaders and the Ministry for Tourism and Creative Economies have also announced a focus on promoting village tourism, adventure tourism, sports tourism, and events tourism.