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BALI tourism players are increasingly frustrated by the withdrawal of plans to open the Island of the Gods to foreign tourists.
According to the Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster said I have confirmed that Bali will not accept foreign tourists in September 2020 because the central government has not opened the tap for foreign tourists until the end of 2020.
Meanwhile, the Regional Management Board of the Indonesian Hotel General Manager Association (IHGMA) Bali, I Nyoman Astama said I can understand the reasons for the government not opening Bali and Indonesia until the end of the year. But on the other hand, this condition makes tourism people even more devastated.
“We and all tourism personnel are very frustrated with the current conditions. Company funds are running low, and many employees are still being laid off. I admit that many countries have not dared to take the risk of giving their citizens to go abroad. The areas that have been significantly affected by the absence of foreign tourists are the areas of Kuta, Legian, Seminyak,” he said.
He added, because many foreign tourists from Australia who live in Kuta and its surroundings. And, Australia won’t let its citizens out until next year. I understand the reason the government has postponed the opening of foreign tourists to Bali related to the development of COVID-19 in the country.
“Previously, the Bali Provincial Government planned to open Bali tourism to foreign tourists on September 11, 2020. So far, Bali tourism people have made every effort to convince foreign tourists to come to Bali in September. In fact, there have been many promotions, especially to foreign tourists from Europe,” he noted.
He explained, we from the association are still making efforts, such as increasing readiness with verification at the district/city and provincial levels. This has been done by the team and verification in the field. The aim is to show readiness to the market that Bali is ready with health protocol SOPs.
“If things start to be more conducive in the future, Astama and the tourism stakeholders hope that Bali destinations can be treated differently. We appeal to the government later, so that they can see Bali as a destination that is prepared and carried out early. In fact, we have done this since June 2020, so this must be seen by the central government,” Astama concluded. [antaranews/photo special]
