Australia to be part of a ‘travel bubble’ with Indonesia that will allow Bali travel soon – but plan would let in tourists from CHINA too
- The Indonesian government is planning a ‘travel bubble’ with Australia
- The move could see Australians holidaying in Bali far sooner than expected
- Travel bubble with three other countries is a desperate bid to boost tourism
Australians could soon be holidaying in Bali if a ‘travel bubble’ with Indonesia goes ahead.
The Indonesian government is reportedly planning for a ‘travel bubble’ with Australia, China, South Korea and Japan in a desperate bid to boost tourism.
Odo Manuhutu, deputy co-ordinating Minister maritime affairs and investment, said the country would open its borders to those four countries first before extending the offer to others.
Travellers would face ‘strict health protocols’ but the move would ideally revive domestic tourism (pictured: Passengers wear protective masks as they depart Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali in March)
The Indonesian government is reportedly planning for a ‘travel bubble’ with Australia, China, South Korea and Japan in a desperate bid to boost tourism (pictured: An empty beach in Bali)
He said they were organising criteria foreign travellers to enter the country, local media reported.
Travellers would face ‘strict health protocols’ but the move would ideally revive domestic tourism.
‘After the criteria is made, negotiations will be held with those countries for two, three or four weeks. When agreements are reached, the travel bubbles will be opened,’ the deputy minister said.
‘In addition to the high level of tourists, there are also business interests with these four countries as well.’
The plan has been slammed as premature by some critics as the number of coronavirus cases in Indonesia continues to climb.
There are more than 39,000 COVID-19 cases in Indonesia and 2,198 people have died.
But the country is desperate to get tourists back as soon as possible after its economy took a hit.
Formerly bustling tourist locations have been replaced by empty streets after visitor numbers diminished rapidly.
Airport security check the health documents of traveller before entering domestic departure terminal in Kuta
An estimated 2,000 Australian expats have chosen to stay in Bali rather than return home during the pandemic. Pictured: Old Man’s club in Canggu before reopening
Foreign tourist arrivals into Indonesia plunged more than 60 per cent in March, compared to the same month last year, with Chinese arrivals sliding more than 97 per cent.
Last year, 1.23million Australians visited Bali – a rise of 5.24 per cent on 2018 figures.
Indonesian Hotel & Restaurant Association chairman Rai Suryawijaya told the Financial Review said Bali’s economy was on the brink of collapse with tourists.
‘My prediction is July. Even if we could get 10 flights to land each day, with social distancing restrictions on-board, there may be only 150 people on board each flight so that’s just 1500 arrivals each day. We know occupancy rates will remain low, at least until next year.’
An estimated 2,000 Australian expats have chosen to stay in Bali rather than return home during the pandemic