Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, has declared that Bali is now ready to reopen to international tourism on a trial basis.
Quoted by the State News Agency Antara on Saturday, 25 September 2021, Sandiaga, speaking in Bali, said: “So, Bali is ready. We will discuss and evaluate next week and, hopefully, if all circumstances are conducive and no crossed wires discovered, we will trial (an opening to tourism) next month.”
Based on a two-day visit to Bali 24-25 September, Sandiaga said Bali is ready to reopen with the tourism industry increasingly improved as the public obeys health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 allowing the pandemic to be brought under control.
The Tourism Minister said his Ministry plans to present Bali with all its regions to reopen to international tourism.
“But if the situation does not permit reopening, we have conceptualized three “green zones” in Sanur, Ubud, and Nusa Dua. We will thoroughly prepare for this, dedicating our full attention and caution to the task, said Sandiaga.
Sandiaga said his Ministry wants Bali to enhance the ability of tourism workers to be “upskilled” and “reskilled” to complement their commitment and knowledge to execute tourism under the national scheme of Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability (CHSE). Adding: “Later, the compliance with health protocols will always apply and be continually improved, maybe also integrating community policing elements (Pacalang) in the monitoring and evaluation of CHSE.”
During a two-day visit to the Island, Minister Sandiaga personally inspected Bali’s readiness to reopen tourism. His visit included stops at the traditional weaving village of Pengringsingan in Karangasem, Carangsari in Badung Regency, and the Tuksedo Studio in Gianyar.
The Tourism Minister also visited a workshop on the creative economy held in Gianyar, an exhibition of the appreciation of creativity, and presented CHSE Certificates to several tourism organizations.
