Confidence has risen in Bali’s tourism industry, as officials and businesses expect a 50 percent boost in visitor numbers and hotel occupancy for the upcoming Christmas and New Year holiday, after the central government backtracked on its plans to tighten restrictions during the period.
The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) expressed appreciation over the government’s decision to cancel tighter restrictions, which they believe would improve hotel occupancy.
“We are very supportive, because we have suggested this previously, because the situation and condition in Indonesia, especially Bali, are very conducive,” I Gusti Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya from PHRI Bali said.
“I hope that with the cancellation of Level 3 PPKM [Enforcement of Restrictions on Public Activities], there will be an increase in hotel bookings,” Rai said.
According to PHRI’s data, there have been roughly 10,000 domestic tourists visiting Bali daily in the last week. Rai estimates that the number will increase to at least 15,000 tourists per day during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
The same optimism has come out of Bali Provincial Government as well, with an official also expecting more visitors in the next few weeks.
“We are still focused on domestic tourists, as is the case with previous years. Even though this year there will be no excessive activities for New Year’s Eve. I am confident that [the holiday period] will increase visitor numbers by about 50 percent,” Bali Vice Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, or Cok Ace, said.
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