With regard to total tourism, Indonesia had an astounding 11.67 million tourists in 2023—nearly twice as many as in 2022. Almost half of all tourists to Indonesia arrived in Bali alone, with 5.23 million visitors. Plans to improve Delhi departures and add Vistara direct flights from Bombay are underway in an effort to increase arrivals from India.
Over 400,000 Indian visitors visited Bali last year despite there being no direct flights. According to Ina H. Krisnamurthi, ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in India, this startling statistic highlights the enormous potential for expansion if direct air links are created.
We are now in a better position to promote tourism to Bali because of initiatives like Vistara’s attempts to develop direct connectivity from Delhi and IndiGo’s direct connection to Jakarta. The ambassador said, “We estimate that the arrival of over 400,000 Indian tourists to Bali last year—a number we anticipate growing—demonstrates the possibilities that these direct flights give to greatly improve tourism inflow between our countries.
With regard to total tourism, Indonesia had an astounding 11.67 million tourists in 2023—nearly twice as many as in 2022. Almost half of all tourists to Indonesia arrived in Bali alone, with 5.23 million visitors.
The envoy also exhorted the Indian stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunity that better connectivity presents. She emphasized that while the Indian population has shown a great deal of interest in Bali, the actual number of Indian visitors to the island is still quite low, mainly because there aren’t any direct flights.
“We must strategize on sustaining continuous demand and discovering new channels for interaction, even when traffic from India may reflect seasonal tendencies or emphasis on wedding-related travel,” the spokesperson said.
Vistara Bombay-Bali Direct Flight will start soon
The airline is also looking at possibilities for flights from Bombay, according to Payal Mehta, Regional Manager Sales-North India at Vistara – TATA SIA Airlines Ltd.
“At the moment, Vistara offers daily direct flights from Delhi, and they are running well. However, our flying operations are going well thanks to everyone’s ongoing support and donations. The second phase is bringing Boeing LR series planes to Bali, with around 300 seats available every departure. Indeed, there are plans to launch flights from Bombay, subject to support and agreement from both sides. You may be certain that we are aggressively pursuing these objectives and that we will soon see fruitful results, the spokesperson said in an interview.
“We may eventually launch wide-body aircraft from Delhi if our plans to boost our departures from Delhi proceed as planned. There will likely be a merger with Air India, but we are still evaluating how things will go,” she said.
The $10 visitor charge is an investment in protecting the ecosystem rather than a disincentive.
The Indonesian government has imposed a USD 10 charge on international visitors upon their arrival in an effort to preserve Bali’s unique cultural heritage and prevent the negative effects of overtourism. This proposal exempts nationals of ASEAN nations, domestic travelers, and holders of diplomatic visas from the tourist charge.
“We all respect Bali, a popular travel destination among Indians. The people of Indonesia are renowned for their friendly demeanor and first-rate amenities. However, there are drawbacks to tourism as well, such trash production and environmental harm. Thus, it’s essential to deal with these problems by concentrating on source-level waste reduction. Protecting tourism is crucial since it accounts for 80% of Bali’s GDP, according to Sanjay Sondhi, Country Manager, Visit Indonesia Tourism Office India.
Sondhi said that it’s critical for the local population to feel engaged and not suffer from the bad effects of tourism, acknowledging that the recent establishment of a tourist tax is a requirement to maintain the local culture and safeguard the environment.
“Bali offers distinctive experiences outside of metropolitan areas with its historic irrigation systems, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and scenic paddy fields. It is notable for having more than 20,000 temples and a strong Hindu legacy in addition to its cultural variety. India’s tourism experts can design itineraries that highlight these genuine experiences and encourage peaceful cohabitation with the environment, he said.
“Rather than serving as a deterrent, the USD 10 cost should be seen as an investment in environmental protection, in line with other countries such as Bhutan, where a USD 100 tax is enforced per person. Sondhi said, “As Indian stakeholders, we should back these initiatives to guarantee sustainable tourist practices and safeguard Bali’s natural resources.
75 years of reciprocal ties to promote travel
Remarkably, Indonesia is concluding its seventy-five-year bilateral association with India. With colors evoking both the Indian and Indonesian flags, the unique design symbolises the unbreakable relationship between the two countries. The ambassador made reference to the common ideals and historical ties that the logo represents.
She noted that this year will see a number of festivities that would demonstrate Indonesia’s dedication to strengthening its cultural and commercial ties with India. This covers festivals, sales trips to important Indian cities, and cultural and dance events.
Reiterating the feelings with a well-known saying: Bali is more than just a location. It’s a mood, a lovely feeling. “As a representative of the government, I am delighted by the developing closeness between Indonesia and India, which is represented not only in our symbolic gestures in the logo but also in real partnerships post-COVID-19,” the ambassador said, expressing a tropical frame of mind.
Also, Read: Bali will impose a 150,000 IDR tourist tax starting on February 14, 2024.
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