Bali To Promote Island As A Retirement Destination

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Bali has long welcomed retirees from all over the world, but businesses on the island are looking to actively promote the destination as a place for long-term retirement. While many Australians, Americans, and Europeans in Bali have decided to live a decent portion of their retirement on the islands, businesses are looking to develop greater interest in the market.

The hospitality, tour, and travel company Wiswacon Group, located in Singakerta Village, close to Ubud, are working to promote retirement tourism in the area. When it comes to relocating for retirement, there are many decisions for retirees to make regarding support systems, accessibility, financial resources, social care, and medical support. The Wiswacon Group is starting to target Japanese tourists who want to spend their golden years in Bali through the establishment of a retirement resort. 

The Director of PT Manuk Dewata Internasional, I Dewa Gede Ambara Putra Manacika, told reporters that the metering market for Japanese retirement tourism in Bali is picking up interest. He shared that although his company focuses on inviting retirees from Japan, they will welcome retirees from around the world at their new resort.  

The Wiswacon Group focuses on development in three areas, construction, real estate, and hospitality. Manacika said, ‘An idea was born to study the possibility of building a real estate project for foreign retirees in Bali’. The group believes that investment in creating retirement villages or supported housing, and nursing homes would be a viable business move in Bali.

Manacika explained that the development of retirement tourism would have a knock-on effect on other sectors, such as the medical sector and the agricultural industry. 

He noted that there would be a strong focus on holistic health and well-being, and the development of retirement complexes would require more organic produce, creating more agricultural jobs. He said, ‘They will achieve true health in a long life in a state of happiness, long life’. 

Naturally, the development of retirement tourism would require more nursing and social care staff, creating even more well-paying jobs in the private care sector. Manacika shared his thoughts on how the promotion of retirement tourism would bring synoptic benefits. ‘They [retirees] usually live in nursing homes, away from their families. The number could be in the thousands…Retired tourism is in close synergy with environmental and cultural preservation programs’.

In December this year, the Wiswacon Group will welcome its first group of retirees from Japan for an extended stay in Bali. He said, ‘We have prepared the accommodation including all the needs and services needed’.

The Regent of Gianyar, I Made Mahayastra, represented by the Head of the Gianyar Regency Tourism Office, I Made Raka, told reporters that the regency is very happy that the pilot group of retirees will be moving to the area. Raka told reporters that this new potential market is up-and-coming and that the regency hopes many people will choose to stay and even live out the rest of their lives in the area. 

The announcement of the pilot group of retirees moving to Bali comes just days after the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, confirmed that work is well underway for the development of the 5-10 year digital nomad visa for Indonesia.

He told his audience at the Nusa Dua Convention Center last week that Indonesia will be focusing on developing the visa program for skilled workers in certain sectors and for retirees. He explained that the Department of Immigration is working on promoting Indonesia as a destination for the over 60s by making the visa process more streamlined since their greater spending ability would benefit the country. 

Currently, a retirement visa for Indonesia is available for citizens over the age of 55 from 52 countries, including Australia, the UK, the USA, and Japan. Retirees must prove that they have sufficient funds to support themselves for the duration of the year-long visa and have medical insurance and other relent paperwork.