This article was first published on August 13th, 2020.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar said that reopening Bali would be delayed until at least later in 2021 as Indonesia focuses on domestic tourism instead.
“We want 70 percent of domestic tourists. The problem of foreign tourists is that we will not accept it until the end of the year. Let us first consolidate,” Luhut said in a webinar held by APINDO, Thursday (13/8).
There has been no official statement made by the Indonesian government.
Until President Joko Widodo, releases an official government decree, all travelers can do is wait and hope that Bali will reopen.
Bali locals are hopeful the Indonesian government will lift the blanket ban on foreign tourism.
Last month Koster issued a decree on the implementation of new health protocols to help protect both domestic and foreign tourists when visiting the island.
The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Wishnutama stated that the government would focus on the 8 million Indonesians who usually vacation abroad to travel domestically instead.
“We will focus on having Indonesians travel locally so that the US $9 billion they spend abroad will be spent in Indonesia, “Wishnutama stated.
Travelers may want to hold off booking those plane tickets but not lose hope as the narrative in Indonesia can change overnight.
For the latest Bali News & Debate Join our Facebook Community
Post Sponsored by Bali Flow Tours: Your Safe and Sanitary Tour Guide and Airport Transfer Service