Officials Guarantee 2024 General Elections Won’t Impact Tourists’ Travel Plans To Bali 

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Ahead of the 2024 general election in Indonesia, leaders around the island of Bali and across the archipelago are giving their sureties to tourists that campaigning and the election itself won’t have any impact on travel plans. The General Election is due to be held on the 14th of February 2024. 

On the 14th of February 2024, Indonesia will elect a new President, Vice President, and People’s Consultative Assembly.

Since President Joko Widodo, known most frequently as Jokowi, has served two terms he will not be up for re-election. The three registered candidates are Ganjar Pranowo, Andes Baswedan, and Prabowo Subianto. 

Ganjar Pranowo visited Bali last week and was met with huge support from businesses and residents around the island.

Pranowo met with the Bali Tourism Association, along with tourist business owners, hotel management, hotel employees, and tourism students who voiced their support for Pranowo as the Presidential Candidate.

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A post shared by Ganjar Pranowo (@ganjar_pranowo)

The Chairman of the Bali Tourist Transport Association, Nyoman Sudiartha, spoke to reporters before Pranowo visited Bali.

Sudiartha shared his assurances with tourists that the campaign period and the election itself will not impact tourist’s experience of Bali or the country as a whole.

Sudiartha noted that tourists and expats will notice the increased level of political activities but that it’s nothing to worry about.

There are a number of countries around the world where it is considered unsafe for tourists, especially during times of political change, but in Indonesia in 2024, it doesn’t look like it will be the case.

Sudiartha said, “Our hope is that we will work together to maintain Bali tourism, this is also the hope of all parties.” 

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A post shared by Ganjar Pranowo (@ganjar_pranowo)

He added, “Prospective tourists will clearly pay attention to [political] developments. In other words, the election certainly has an influence.”

He explained, “Especially for foreign tourists in this case who may be traveling to Bali for the first time. If you have come and lived in Bali before, you will certainly understand the situation…I don’t think it’s too much of a problem.”

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The Managing Director of Pacific Holidays, Nyoman Astama, also shared his beliefs that the elections will be peaceful and not impact tourists’ vacation time.

He shared, “I am optimistic that the election will run smoothly…once again, we hope that the elections will run smoothly, so that Bali tourism, which has just revived, will be maintained.”

During his meeting with tourism stakeholders in Bali last week Ganjar Pranowo shared his optimism for the future of a united Indonesia, in which tourism and tourism in Bali play a specific and important role.

The meeting was also attended by Cok Ace, the Deputy Governor of Bali from 2018-2023. 

Cok Ace saved his support of Ganjar Pranowo noting “With the prayers and hard work of all of us, Mr. Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD won one round at the national level and won 95 percent in Bali.”

“Astungkara, our dream has come true to be able to meet Mr. Ganjar and entrust the future of Bali’s tourism to Mr. Ganjar Pranowo.”

Pranowo himself shared his thanks for the support of Bali and the Balinese tourism sector for their backing of his campaign.

He shared his hopes that Bali can maintain and expand upon its international fame as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. 

Pranowo concluded, “Everything in Bali can be made beautiful, for example, the wood we make into firewood, in Bali the wood is actually carved so that it has artistic and cultural value.”

“So what Mr. Koster [ex-Bali Governor] said is very true, it is the cultural power that makes tourists want to come to Bali.”