After his visit to the Benoa Port on Saturday (13/2), Indonesian Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno decided to include the port inside the ‘Covid-Free’ Corridor program which is currently in preparation.
The “Covid-Free Corridor” is a program being proposed to the central government to attract Chinese tourists once they are allowed back. The idea is to allow vaccinated Chinese travelers and prioritize Bali vaccinations.
During the visit, the Tourism Minister was welcomed by the CEO of Indonesian Habour III, Saefudin Noer.
Sandiaga explained that the plan to include Benoa Port inside the Covid Free Corridor is based on his vision to develop Bali Maritime Tourism Hub (BMTH) which will open up more than 20 thousand jobs.
“This program will grant opportunity to the creative economic industry as many cruise ships will be coming to this harbor bringing lots of tourists,” Sandiaga said.
He will be communicating this plan to the related ministries including International Affairs Ministry, Health Ministry, Law and Human Rights Ministry, and National Covid-19 Handling Task Force.
In light of this program, Saefudin Noer hopes opportunities will open to the people, especially within the tourism sector.
“This development plan is to divide the cargo ship activity and the tourism activity. The Tourism Marina Yacht, Cruise Terminal, and Theme Park will be located on southern Benoa, while the Energy Terminal such as LNG Terminal and Liquid Cargo Storage will be relocated to northern Benoa,” Saefudin Noer said.
The development of BMTH will be financed by state-owned enterprises and related ministries.
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Pan Demi
Monday 15th of February 2021
why do not to include the entire island as a “COVID-19 free island” rather than just a corridor, that could completely deceive if COVID-19 cases continue to increase on the island. How about the implementation, will these tourists be free to gather at a restaurant or cafe after passing through the corridor?
Christine Bagnall
Sunday 14th of February 2021
Oh, what about Aussies! We love and miss you.
Curt Coleman
Sunday 14th of February 2021
I am a clothing manufacturer that has manufactured clothing yet Indonesia / Bali for over 30 years. My business is based in America. So I'm going to make sure I understand this. People like me cannot come back to Bali. However the Chinese.. the country that the virus started in and grew because of their lack of transparency.. you're going to find a way to let them back yet. Help me understand