Bali Tourism Board

On Tuesday, 07 September 2021, Bali Governor Wayan Koster issued Circular Memorandum Number 15 of 2021 addressing opening hours and maximum permissible carrying capacity at Bali shopping malls and commercial centers. The latest instructions allow the businesses to open until 9:00 pm WITA and operate at 50% of their normal guest capacity. The Governor’s instructions also require the screening of all visitors and employees entering these places of business, the use of the PeduliLindungi Mobile Application, and strict adherence to health protocols on wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing.

People who are “fully vaccinated” – having received both the first and second COVID-19 injections, will be permitted to enter shopping malls and commercial centers. Restaurants and dining establishments are allowed to serve takeaway or serve in-house diners to a maximum of 25% of their standard seating capacity. Dining time is limited to 30 minutes.

Theaters, children’s play areas, and entertainment venues within the shopping malls must remain closed.

People considered by the Government most at risk of infection are excluded from visiting malls and tourist attractions until further notice. The groups barred entry include pregnant women, children under the age of 12 years, and people over 70.

Memorandum Number 15/2021 also permits the opening on a trial basis of tourist attractions, nature spots, cultural sites, spiritual objects, and tourism villages (Desa Wisata) to a maximum capacity of 50%. Conformity to existing health protocols and the use of the PeduliLindungi smartphone application also applies.

The limited reopening of shopping areas is happening while the Government has relaxed COVID-19 screening for air travelers who have received partial or full vaccination against the coronavirus. (See link below.)

In Bali’s capital of Denpasar, seven malls were closed during the emergency PPKM shutdown measures and are expected to reopen following the Governor’s latest instructions. The affected malls expected to reopen now are:

• Level 21
• Plaza Renon
• Ramayana
• Tiara Dewata
• Duta Plaza
• Trans Studio
• Carrefour.

The head of protocol and communications for the Denpasar City Administration announced the seven malls would be required to enforce the use of the smartphone application PeduliLindungi and strictly follow existing health protocols on the use of face masks and personal hygiene, and physical distancing.

From Bali Discovery

Ritualized purification or bathing (penglukatan) at the Pura Taman Beji Cengana in the traditional Village of Dar-masaba in the Abiansemal area of Badung Regency, Bali is temporarily not allowed to avoid unnecessary public gatherings with the risk of creating new COVID-19 clusters.

As reported by NusaBali.com, other temple locations in Bali, such as Pura Kereban Langit in the Village of Sading, have also closed their sacred fountains to cleansing rituals during the emergency PPKM measures announced by the Provincial and Nation Governments.

The Pura Kereban Langit is well known as a pilgrimage destination for young married couples seeking divine intervention in overcoming their inability to start a family. Caretakers tell of countless married couples who successfully procreated after praying and ritually bathing and drinking from the sacred waters at the Temple.

In addition to being a place for those seeking marital fertility, Pura Kereban Langit is also a sacred place to cleanse both the body and the soul. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Temple was busy, frequented by many Balinese wishing to bathe in its fountains. However, in deference to emergency government guidelines, bathing in the Temple’s pools has been banned since 03 July 2021.

According to Jero Mangku, the priest in charge of Pura Kereban Langit, only worshippers in urgent need of holy waters (air suci) from the Temple can be served. Those must follow stringent health protocols.

Similarly, Pura Beji Cengana is also temporarily closed to those seeking the purifying powers of its waters. Urgent supplicants will be accommodated limited to groups of two people following stringent health protocols.

Officials at both temples report the public is accepting the restrictions placed on holy places during the PPKM emergency.

From Bali Discovery

Oceanman Bali 2021 – the international ocean swimming event initially scheduled for 13-14 August 2021 has been moved to 10-11 September on Sanur Beach in Bali.

The rescheduling occurred due to the developing COVID-19 situation in Indonesia. Despite the delay, the chairman of Oceanman Bali 2021, Wibowo Suseno Wirjawan, has assured that the event is in a 100% state of readiness.

Speaking on Monday, 30 August 2021, Wibowo said: “Everything now is ready to go. 133 people are registered to participate, but registration remains open.”

Quoted by NusaBali.com, Wibowo said registration would remain open until 05 September 2021. The event chairman said a major obstacle confronting the event is travel access to Bali for participants, including air transportation to Bali. A case in point, two Russian swimmers, were prevented from traveling to Bali for the Oceanman Event due to current travel restrictions.

Four days before registration closes, 133 participants from 24 countries have registered to swim in Bali.

The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and the Creative Economy is actively supporting Oceanman Bali 2021. The Ministry has issued numerous invitations for participants to an event organized and founded by two former national swimming champions, Albert and Felix Susanto.

Oceanman Bali 2021 is a part of a series of ocean swims comprising the Oceanman Global Competition. Indonesia is one of 9 countries confirmed to act as hosts for regional Oceanman events.

The organizers and the Government are hopeful that the Oceanman Bali 2021 event conducted during the continuing pandemic will promote ocean swimming while also reinvigorating Indonesia’s tourism economy.

Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, both Susanto brothers are pleased with the enthusiastic support from participants and the Bali community for their event and Indonesian tourism in general.

Among those slated to participate in Oceanman Bali 2021 are national swimming champion and Bali native I Gede Siman Sudartawan and Fadlan Prawira, who has just returned from competition at the Tokyo Olympics.

Oceanman Bali 2021 will feature four categories determined by distance:

• Oceanman covering 10 kilometers.
• Half Oceanman covering 5 kilometers
• Sprint covering 2 kilometers
• Oceankids covering 1 kilometer

Overall winners and age category winners will be awarded medals. The Oceankids Category will be open for children between the ages of 7 and 14 years.

Participants arriving by air will need to follow vaccination and COVID-19 PCR and rapid antigen testing completed before landing in Bali.

From Bali Discovery

Part of the Government’s plans to relaunch Bali as the Nation’s leading tourism destination is the creation of the Island as a top center for medical tourism or, as it is termed in some circles, wellness tourism.

Quoted by KOMPAS.com, Sandiaga said good medical facilities were already in place on the Island of Bali. He said planning for the launch of medical tourism in Bali had undergone careful study over the past six months in cooperation with the Association of Medical Tourism for Indonesia (Perkedwi). Continuing, the Minister said: “We trialed this beginning several weeks ago. I also had a check-up. We are focusing on excellent quality so that the medical facilities can compete with health facilities overseas.”

In the opinion of the Tourism Minister, the successful development of Bali as a medical tourism destination will create a large number of employment opportunities and help restore vitality to Bali’s tourism economy.

“We are moving ahead with the launch of health-based tourism. This represents a pillar effort to instill enthusiasm amid the current pandemic. Later, in the post-pandemic period, we will have become champions in possession of a solid victory,” said Sandiaga.

In describing Bali’s future as a center for wellness tourism, Sandiaga said in addition to professional world-class medical treatment at clinics and hospitals, visitors will also be able to visit traditional tourism villages. In the natural setting of Balinese communities, patients will be able to experience Indonesian traditional therapies and treatments in beautiful village settings.

From Bali Discovery

Balipost.com provides an update on efforts to make the Island of Bali a paradise for the new class of global travelers – “Digital Nomads.”

Astawa insists that Bali is serious in welcoming the new class of visitors who work without borders from their homes or wherever, for that matter, they can find quality WiFi connections. To better understand Digital Nomads, Astawa recently met with Michael Craig, the owner of Djojo Bali Coworking Space.

Craig, originally from Australia, has been resident in Bali for ten years. He told Astawa how Digital Nomads come from the middle to upper classes with sufficient buying power to help fuel a recovery of the Island’s tourism economy and make a tax contribution to cash-starved government coffers.

Craig said members of this sector of the economy tend to stay for at least a year.

Separately, the chairman of the Badung Regency Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI-Badung), IGAN Rai Suryawijaya, voiced his support for the development of digital nomad tourism in Bali. He said that digital nomad travelers could provide support to grass-root accommodation providers, including homestays and villas.

Article from BaliDiscovery

The Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, has commissioned a study estimating that 25% of Indonesian Civil Servants could move their work location to the Island of Bali.

Jemadu said the most readily available way to boost Bali tourism is to relocate civil servants from their present locations to the Island of Bali. At the same time, the Tourism official admitted the cost of undertaking such a relocation would likely be substantial.

Vinsensius Jemadu said that any WFB program would necessarily be conducted under the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy and Investment. They would establish policies on how “Work from Bali” would be implemented and to what extent it might be applied.

In the study performed by the Ministry of Tourism, it was calculated that 50% of civil servants could relocate their work location. The segment of the government workforce could, the study contends, can be divided into two parts, with 25% working from Bali and the remaining 25% to other locations in Indonesia in need of an economic boost.

Revealing their thinking behind the plan, Tourism official explained that hybrid meetings involving live and virtual elements could be headquartered in Bali. Officials also recommend that government workers be persuaded not to bring their families to Bali to reduce the risk of contagion and maintain strict health protocols.

Commenting on the plan, the chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (GIPI-Bali), Ida Bagus Agung, said the proposed WFB program would create economic opportunities for more than 500 medium and small-sized enterprises.

The Operational Director of the Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), Arie Prasetyo, supports the plan, saying Bali remains an icon of Indonesian tourism. Adding: “We manage the Nusa Dua Complex. For the past 1.5 years, the people living around Nusa Dua have suffered a decline in income from the tourism sector.” Prasetyo said ITDC would support the proposed WFB program by rigorously applying health protocols.

https://balidiscovery.com/tourism-ministry-promotes-work-from-bali/

The perigee of a Total Lunar Eclipse – more commonly known as a “Super Blood Moon” will occur on 26 May 2021 and be visible worldwide and from broad areas of Indonesia.

Four eclipses will occur in 2021 – two involving the moon and two the sun. The first total lunar eclipse of the year on 26 May is the first total lunar eclipse since January 2019.

The first phase of the eclipse will start in Bali at 16:46:12 WITA and be most visible in Central Papua and surrounding areas.

A partial eclipse will begin at 17:44:38 WITA and be visible over Eastern Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara.

The second phase of the total eclipse will begin at 19:09.:21 WITA and be visible over the Province of Riau and West Sumatra. This eclipse phase will be visible in most parts of Indonesia except parts of Riau, parts of West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh.

The eclipse’s peak occurs at 19:18:43 WITA. It should be visible in almost all parts of Indonesia except parts of West Sumatra, a small part of Riau Province, North Sumatra, and Aceh.

The third phase of the total lunar eclipse will end at 19:28:05 WITA and be centered over North Sumatra and be visible in most parts of Indonesia except parts of North Sumatra and Aceh.

The fourth phase of the partial lunar eclipse will end at 20:52:48 WITA and be visible in most parts of Indonesia. The moon’s total eclipse will end on 21:51:14 WITA and be visible in most parts of Indonesia.

BKMG’s Triyono explained that a total eclipse of the moon occurs whenever the sun, earth, and moon become parallel. This happens when the moon is located within the shadow cast by the earth that, when a total eclipse is underway, the moon will glow red – a fact that has given birth to the “blood red” name. Because the moon is also in its closest proximity to earth (perigee), the moon will appear to the eye much more prominent than usual, which has also given the name “super moon” to this phenomenon. Accordingly to the eclipse to occur on 26 May 2021 is being cited as a “Super Blood Moon.”

BMKG will be actively monitoring the eclipse with updated information available on the BMKG Website www/bmkg.go.id/gbt

The rare astronomical phenomenon will be best seen from areas experiencing clear skies and good weather conditions. Visible with the naked eye, a telescope will add to the overall experience.

Tidal Warnings

BMKG also warns the public living in coastal areas to be aware of potential high tides during the full moon eclipse that may bring tidal conditions higher than normal.

https://balidiscovery.com/be-on-the-lookout-for-a-super-blood-moon/

The 7th Edition of Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) will return to Bali 08 June – 12 June 2021 to be held at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) in Nusa Dua as the Island seeks to restart its stalled tourism Industry.

AS reported by Beritabali.com, the Bali Provincial Government and organizers of BBTF target revenues to be generated from the event at Rp. 3.57 trillion, an amount far less than the Rp. 7.71 trillion unsuccessfully sought from the same event in 2019. The BBTF 2020 was canceled due to the continuing global pandemic.

The chairman of the organizing committee for BBTF 2021, I Ketut Ardana, said the lower and less ambitious revenue targets are a realistic reflection of current conditions and the marketplace. The June event hopes to attract 150 buyers from 20 countries, 64 of whom will attend online. Meanwhile, 125 buyers from 11 provinces are expected to travel to Bali from 11 provinces in Indonesia to participate in BBTF 2021. 

The number of 2021 buyers is expected to decline 49.50% and sellers by 54% when compared to 2019 numbers.

70-80% of the sellers are locally and regionally sourced from Bali and 11 other Indonesian provinces. Most buyers will come from Indonesia, the UK, Australia, Frances, the USA, and Asia.

Buyers will be given a limited number of complimentary tour programs to familiarize them with a range of Indonesian travel products.

BBTF will be a hybrid event conducted in both live and online formats.

Organizers have revealed that the theme of BBTF 2021 is “Exploring Sustainable & Wellness Tourism” – a sector of the tourism economy expected to boom in a post-pandemic world.

From Bali Discovery

ndonesia’s Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, says Bali visitor arrival numbers are improving due to strict adherence to health and sanitation protocols.

Sandiaga said on Saturday, 02 April 2021: “When I became Tourism Minister in December of 2020, we were experiencing extreme lethargy, but by closely following health protocols and continuing to motivate the travel industry, I observed month by month improvements.” 

Continuing, the Minister said: “Our first tourism destination is Bal. Last month I communicated to several friends that we are targeting 3,600 domestic visitors per day.”

That target, however, was surpassed in March by 25%, with an average of 4,500 daily visitors coming to Bali.

Speaking on 02 April in the lead up to the Easter weekend, Sandiaga said he had been informed that total visitors averaged over the past two days had exceeded 8,000. He pointed out that average arrivals in pre-pandemic days averaged 16,000 passengers, meaning recovery is now approaching 50% of former levels.

“This is a big relief to our hearts, but we remain on guard as we still sit in the middle of the pandemic. Even those tourism arrivals are increasing, we continue to follow health protocols carefully,” said Sandiaga.

From Bali Discovery

Bali’s semi-lockdown status and ongoing closure to foreign visitors have done little to detract from the island’s popularity as a tourism destination.

According to a reader poll conducted by TripAdvisor, Bali has ranked #1 as the World’s most popular holiday choice – lauded as “a tropical haven for beach bums, wellness worshipers, and the culturally curious.”Based on reviews, ratings, and saves that travelers share from across the globe on the popular Trip Advisor platform, a list has been compiled for 2021 of the “Top 25” across various travel categories. Not only did Bali win top honors as the World’s most beloved destination, Bali and Indonesia also earned mentions in a number of the other categories encompassed by the TripAdvisor Reader’s Poll.

Top 25 Destinations in the World 

Bali ranked as the most popular and “aspired-to destination” ranked at #1, followed at #2 by London. and #3 Dubai in the UAE. Here’s the entire Trip Advisor list of world destinations to visit once the world situation permits:

1. Bali, Indonesia
2. London, U.K.
3. Dubai, UEA
4. Rome, Italy
5. Paris, France
6. Hanoi, Vietnam
7. Crete, Grece
8. Bangkok, Thailand
9. Barcelona, Spain
10. Istanbul, Turkey
11. Hoi An, Vietnam
12. Siem Reap, Cambodia
13. Marrakesh, Marocco
14. Phuket, Thailand
15. New Delhi, India
16. Cancun, Mexico
17. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
18. Florence, Italy
19. Dominican Republic, Caribbean
20. Tenerife, Spain
21. Lisbon, Portugal
22. New York City, USA
23. Edinburgh, Scotland
24. Jaipur, India
25. Cusco, Peru

Top 25 International Hotels

Only one Indonesian hotel made this list ranking at #15 – The Suites at the Hotel Mulia – Senayan in Jakarta.

Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the World

Despite being the home to many leading luxury hotels, only one hotel in Bali managed to make it to this prestigious list:

#17 Padma Resort Ubud, Payangan

Top 25 Small Hotels in the World

Two Indonesian hotels are among the Top 25 Small Hotels in the World, one of which is in Bali and the other in nearby Lombok:

#12 Luxe Villa Bali in Ubud.

#19 The Lombok Lodge.

25 Top Boutique Luxury Hotels 

Two hotels – both in Bali – made it to the list of the Top 25 Luxury Boutique Properties in the World according to TripAdvisor:

#14 Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana in Ubud, Bali  

#18 Jamahal Private Resort & Spa in Jimbaran, Bali.

25 Top Hotels for Romance

Two Bali hotels ranked among the “top 25” for romance:

#2 The Kayan Resort by Pramana in Ubud, Bali.

#14 Jamahal Private Resort & Spa in Jimbaran, Bali.

25 Top Hotels for Families

Both Indonesian hotels named best for families are:

#2 Padma Resort – Bandung, West Java .

#17 The Papandayan Hotel – Bandung, West Java.

Best Water Parks in the World

Named as the #2 Water Park in the World was Bali’s very own Waterbom Park. 

Link to Trip Advisors 2021 Reader’s Choice Awards Winners 

From Bali Discovery

Bali is banking on domestic tourism to hasten the recovery of the Island’s economy. As reported by Kompas.com, there are at least 20 major events planned for 2021. According to the Provincial Tourism Service head, Putu Astawa, this total is not complete, with many additional local and international events planned for the current year yet to be listed.

On Tuesday, 06 April 2021, Astawa said the many Bali-based events would fuel rapid growth in domestic arrivals that have become a mainstay of the Island’s tourism following the outbreak of the global pandemic.

“But, if we can welcome 5,000 visitors a day, that’s enough for the current situation,” he added.

Astawa said most domestic tourists come to Bali from Jakarta, Surabaya, and Sulawesi and prefer to visit Bali’s oceanside or mountains but are less interested than Europeans in cultural objects and destinations.

The tourism chief said Bali is working with travel agents in Surabaya and Jakarta to lure more visitors to Bali, focusing on the youth-student market, business and medical associations.

Enumerating the 20 events “officially” listed for Bali in 2021:

1. Nusa Penida Festival

2. Nusa Dua International Run

3. Pesona Nusa Dua Fiesta 2021

4. Ubud Writers and Readers Festival

5. Gianyar Layang-Layang Festival

6. Ubud Jazz Festival

7. Festival Jatiluwih

8. Festival Kerambitan

9. Tanah Lot Weeked II

10. Denpasar Festival

11. Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF)

12. Pesta Kesenian Bali Festival

13. Tabanan Amazing Race

14. Karangasem Cultural Movement Carnaval 2021

15. Penglipuran Festival

16. Makepung Festival

17. Umabian Fest

18. Bali Cycling Marathon

19. Buleleng Festival

20. Pemuteran Festival

From Bali Discovery

Over the extended Easter holiday weekend, 31 March – 04 April 2021, Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport handled 62,345 passengers traveling on 577 flights.

As reported by Kompas.com, Bali first saw the sudden surge in arriving holiday travelers on Thursday, 01 April 2021, when 8,875 air passengers passed through Bali’s Airport. Bali’s peak in outbound passengers was recorded on Sunday, 04 April 2021, when 9,907 passengers departed by air.

Of the 62,345 passengers passing through Bali’s airport over the 5-day holiday period, 29,588 people departed Bali by air, and the remaining 32,757 were people arriving in Bali. During this period, there were 289 arriving flight movements and 288 departing flight movements.

Further AP I researchshows most passengers coming to Bali over the Easter Holiday originating from Jakarta, Surabaya, and Lombok. The three busiest air carriers for the period were Citilink, Batik Air, and Lion Air.

From Bali Discovery

The year 2020 saw Bali Tourism stop. This year, let us help in getting Tourism back in track. Time for us to go out in our own way and help clean our island and fight the plastic!

Balipost.com and the State News Agency Antara quote Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan,  Indonesia’s Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, revealing official plans to reopen Bali to international and domestic tourism once the number of COVID-19 cases on the Island declines.

Deporting Scofflaw Foreign Visitors

Luhut said the government would continue to socialize the rules and regulations related to Bali tourism, particularly as this applies to foreign tourists. Adding: “New regulation for Bali will be dubbed ‘Penalty for Health Protocols.’ These new regulations will be socialized and launched via publications and by other socialization tactics explaining the health protocols, the monitoring of health protocols, violations of health regulations, administrative sanctions for first-time violators, and, if needed, deportation for foreigners who refused to submit to health protocols,”

On another front, the government is preparing COVID-19 vaccinations for 13,000 workers at hospitals in Bali to bolster public faith in the safety of visiting Bali.

Luhut said the government would continue to augment facilities and required in connection with COVID-19 cases in Bali, including preparations for the KTT G-20 Summit. Indonesia is also now actively inviting foreign ambassadors assigned to Indonesia to personally visit Bali to see the measures to control the coronavirus and protect foreign tourists.

In a final warning note, Luhut said those failing to support efforts to control COVID-19 and violating regulations and health protocols would face tough sanctions under the law, regardless of their nationality.

Article from Bali Discovery

The National Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded 3.90 million foreign visitors to Indonesia from January through November 2020.

As reported by NusaBali, this total represents a decrease of 73.6% compared to the same period in 2019 when 14.73 million foreign tourists came to Indonesia.

Breaking down the arrival figures for the first eleven months of 2020, a spokesman for the BPS, Setianto, said the 3.90 million tourists were comprised of 1.68 million arriving by air, 1,23 million arriving by overland, and 979 thousand arriving by sea.

Month on month, November 2020 saw 175,300 foreign visitors come to Indonesia, equivalent to an 86.31% decline in foreign visitors than November 2019 when 1.28 million visitors came to the Republic.

Tourism Industry members in Bali can derive some small cheer from a trend of improvement in foreign tourist visitors on a month-to-month basis. November 2020 arrivals increased 13.9% over October 2020 arrivals.

November 2020 foreign visitors overwhelmingly came from Asia (98.54%), dominated, in order of importance, by Timor-Leste (41.36%), Malaysia (23.7%), and Mainland China (3.7%)

Substantial increases in foreign arrivals occured at Entikong, West Kalimantan; Aruk, West Kalimantan; and Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara.

Foreigners arriving by air in November 2020 declined 94.42% when compared to November 2019. However, November arrivals by air increased 240.13% over the previous month – October 2020.

From Bali Discovery

The United Kingdom’s Deputy Head of Mission to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Rob Fenn, has praised Bali’s provincial government for the way it is handling the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and its aggressive approach to promoting green energy.

As reported by NusaBali, Rob Fenn expressed his appreciation towards Bali during a virtual audience held between Jakarta and Denpasar on Wednesday, 10 February 2021.

Fenn told Bali’s deputy governor, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati (Cok Ace), that the United Kingdom continues to be plagued by COVID-19. He told Cok Ace that he admired how Governor Wayan Koster’s policies have addressed control of the coronavirus since its outbreak in 2020. In issuing his praise and thanks, Fenn said he spoke on behalf of the nearly 4,000 UK nationals living in Bali and the UK public in general.

Fenn, speaking online from the UK Embassy in Jakarta, said Bali’s administration had done much to provide comfort and peace of mind to British citizens living in Bali.

The second-in-command at the UK Embassy in Indonesia said Bali and the UK are working to enhance their already strong relationship. A symposium is now being prepared to discuss how Indonesia and Bali can cooperate in combating terrorism and infrastructure protection. Leading experts in these fields will join the webinar together with members of the provincial government in Bali and the Bali police.

Fenn gave a thumbs up to Bali’s policies supporting clean energy and the plans to use of battery-driven electric vehicles as representing an important contribution to the global war on climate change.

Fenn offered his assurances to the people of Bali that British tourists would return in significant numbers once the global pandemic situation permits.

Joining the webinar, Bali Governor Wayan Koster related how he took immediate action to control the spread of COVID-19 after the first case was identified in Bali carried by a UK visitor in March 2020.

Article from Balii Discovery