Australian travelers make up most of the international visitors in Bali since the border reopened a few months ago.
The Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, confirmed that most of the 46,176 international visitors who arrived in Bali as of Friday (22/4) were from Australia. With the thriving Bali tourism sector, the Bali provincial government asked the central government to resume the visa on arrival program for even more countries.
“After receiving input from the tourism sector, we finally proposed to the central government the resumption of the VoA program to another 16 countries, mostly from Europe,” Pemayun said.
However, he admitted that Bali can’t expect visitors from China as the Chinese government is still implementing a strict quarantine policy.
Nonetheless, Bali is now expecting more visitors from ASEAN countries. The central government has recently resumed a free visa policy for travelers from 9 ASEAN countries: Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Thailand.
But despite dropping travel restrictions and resuming international flights, the hotel occupancy in most of Bali, such as Lovina, is still considered low.
The government has been promoting Bali tourism through social media to attract more domestic and international visitors.
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Paul Speirs
Wednesday 27th of April 2022
Now make it free for the rest of the world and bali will recover from the pandemic sooner.
Wolf
Wednesday 27th of April 2022
What about making it free visa for Australians , many more would come over
J West
Tuesday 26th of April 2022
Thailand is saying the same things about tourism….gimme gimme gimme. Bali has competition. China isn’t allowing tourists out of the country until October. With the expanding Covid shutdown/lockdown in more cities, it’s likely those dates aren’t firm. Death numbers rising in Thailand and elsewhere in Austral-Asia and the EU/NA West means Bali is no Covid-isolated island. Hold your breath on the celebrations.
Lee
Tuesday 26th of April 2022
Need to get rid of pre departure pcr test and voa cost. More Aussies would then come over.
Randy
Sunday 1st of May 2022
@Lina, would you want to pay 300 Baht to enter Thailand? What if you are traveling with a large family, can you afford it?? It's probably cheaper than the VOA fee in the long run.
Zarko
Friday 29th of April 2022
@Lee, people who cant afford pcr and visa expenses, better not come to Bali haha.
Lina
Wednesday 27th of April 2022
@Lee, agree totally! Visa waiver was free in 2019. Why $50 now? Thailand is a solid alternative to Bali.
Wayan Bo
Wednesday 27th of April 2022
@Lee, welcome Bule’s.
Les
Tuesday 26th of April 2022
You need to reintroduce visa waivers for short term Australian tourists
Steven
Wednesday 27th of April 2022
@Les, i suspect they will re-introduce it in time for peak season in July and August. They've been implementing a staged opening so its the next step. Already seeing a influx of tourists thats growing. People are itching to get away after over 2 years of being unable to enjoy their holidays.