As the new direct flight service between Moscow and Bali launches this week, tourism leaders have been raising concerns that the development of greater connectivity with the island could lead to further visa abuses by foreigners.
Immigration officials have been cracking down on foreigners who have been abusing the visa-on-arrival system across Indonesia, but especially in Bali.
The inaugural Moscow-Denpasar flight landed at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International on 18th September.
The twice-weekly service marks the return of direct flights between Russia and Indonesia since the pandemic ended.
The outbound service from Moscow operates Tuesdays and Saturdays, taking off from Alexander S Pushkin International Airport at 2.40 pm and landing in Bali the following morning at 8.05 am.
The inbound journey departs Bali Airport every Wednesday and Sunday, taking off from Denpasar at 10.05 am and landing in Moscow at 5.55 pm local time.
President-Elect Prabowo Subianto has expressed his support for the new flight service. Speaking to reporters in July, Subianto said, “We believe that Aeroflot can operate direct flights to Bali. We also support the possibility of Aeroflot not only operating direct flights but also other airlines.”
However, as Bali Airport welcomes yet more international flights, local leaders are concerned that the ever-increasing number of international visitors to the island will lead to more visa violations.
This week, Bali has already deported an assorted group of tourists found to have broken their visa conditions.
The Chairman of the Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association in Badung, Agung Rai Suryawijaya, has spoken to reporters about his concerns that with now 40 international flight routes operating in and out of Bali, visa abuses could be about to rise further.
Suryawijaya said, “This flight will be regular, twice a week, and will increase the number of visits, especially from Russia to Bali. That means that if Aeroflot dared to open, the demand for tourism to Bali would be there. If it is twice a week, and if the passenger reaches 300 [each flight], it means that will increase the accumulation of tourist visits.”
Suryawijaya noted that he hopes the tourists who come on the new Aeroflot flight and all those traveling to Bali internationally to respect the visa system, local law, and Balinese culture.
He shared his fears that more and more international visitors are coming to Bali because of the rising costs of living in their home countries.
He wants to ensure that those who come to Bali on any international flights and use tourist visas are conducting genuinely touristic activities, and not living like an expat on a temporary socio-cultural or tourism visa.
He explained, “There must be one or two who will want to work later. We also want tourists who are brought up in the middle class or the upper class. This will increase the hotel occupancy again with the addition of the Russian market share.”
Suryawijaya clarified, “The ones who come [must be] tourists, not job seekers.” He noted that pre-pandemic, when direct Russia-Bali flights were available, data showed Russian tourists contributed significantly to the local economy.
He revealed, “If they stayed for a week, it meant around IDR 10 million or more, it is still good, giving a good impact and contribution to the visit.”
Data revealed earlier this year that the highest-spending international tourists to Bali hailed from Austria and Switzerland.
In travel data shared by Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency, it was clear that Austrian and Swiss tourists spent notably more than the average holidaymaker.
The average Austrian tourist spending IDR 69.4 million during their trip to the archipelago, which is equivalent to USD 4,274.
Austrian tourists were closely followed by Swiss travelers who spent, on average, IDR 67.4 million, or USD 4,151, during their holiday or travel adventure in Indonesia overall.
The focus on the average spend of tourists is considered important by many leaders. For over a year, leaders have been calling for higher-spending tourists to visit Bali, under the belief that higher-spending tourists are better behaved, more culturally respectful, and less likely to exploit the visa on arrival, socio-cultural visas or investment visas by way to residing in Bali longer than their travel budget and monthly income permits.
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