BALI – Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno welcomed the return of Chinese foreign tourists after the country’s government decided to lift strict international travel restrictions on January 8 2023.
As many as 210 tourists from China landed at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali after traveling nearly 5 hours from Bao’an International Airport, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, Sunday, January 22, 2023. Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/ Tourism and Creative Economy Agency ( Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) together with tourism stakeholders in Bali officially welcomed the return of Chinese tourists.
The reception was carried out by garlands and giving souvenirs to all passengers and enlivened by traditional Balinese dance and the appearance of lion dance attractions at the international arrival terminal.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno in his statement, Sunday (22/1/2023), said that China is one of the largest market countries for tourism in Indonesia. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is targeting 255,300 Chinese tourist arrivals in 2023.
“We also continue to apply the health protocol that has been given by the Covid Task Force and the Ministry of Health for the arrival of Chinese tourists. And as of today there is no need for additional checks for tourists from China, all follow the existing standards,” said Sandiaga.
Sandiaga is optimistic that the return of Chinese tourists can support the target of foreign tourists visiting this year to reach 3.5 million-7.4 million visits. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will continue to promote favorite destinations such as Bali, Manado and 5 Super Priority Destinations in attracting the Chinese market.
“We are rolling out the red carpet for them because our economy continues to grow. We hope that the arrival of Chinese tourists will accelerate the recovery of this sector and create more jobs,” said the Menparekraf.
Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, when welcoming Chinese tourists at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Sunday (22/1/2023), explained why Bali was the first destination to welcome Chinese tourists. Based on Online Travel Agent (OTA) data in China, there has been an increase in search volume for tourist destinations abroad by 430 percent. Indonesia is in the top 5 searches and Bali’s search volume has increased by 250 percent.
He hopes that the welcoming back of Chinese tourists can be an effective means of promotion for Chinese tourists.
“Bali is very popular in China, they like Bali with its nature, hotels and spas. So how can we affiliate them in various ways, they are very social media savvy, what do they play there? Tick-tock it turns out, we’re here to promote it. The second is access to flight which can go directly to Bali, how to get a visa is also easy, and of course provide the best service, “said Ni Made Ayu.
Made explained that Indonesia had good experience in crisis management during the COVID-19 pandemic which was accompanied by a massive increase in CHSE Certified Destination. In addition, the ratio of vaccination rates per population is relatively high, so Indonesia is optimistic that it will welcome Chinese tourists well.
“Very happy with friends from Bali and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of course welcoming charter flights directly welcoming Chinese tourists, I also thank the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, Angkasa Pura I, Airport Authority, IGNR Airport Immigration Office, and all parties for their efforts prepared. Hopefully, this visit to Bali will have an impact on the revival of Indonesian tourism, including Bali as the main gateway in Indonesia,” said Ni Made Ayu.
Governor of Bali I Wayan Koster on the same occasion said the number of tourists from China in 2019 reached 1.2 million visits, the second largest after foreign tourists from Australia.
Made hopes that the presence of Chinese tourists can revive Indonesian tourism, and Bali in particular.
“Hopefully this year it will revive as planned, that in 2023 there will be a revival of Bali tourism. In 2019 the number of foreign tourists to Bali reached 6.3 million and in 2022, after the pandemic, starting in July, it increased gradually.
It was recorded that foreign tourists reached 2.4 million visits. In 2022, it will only reach 37 percent of the normal situation in 2019. Hopefully this year we can reach the target of at least 4.5 million foreign tourist visits,” said Governor Koster.
“Therefore, let’s work hard with the central government, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the Bali Provincial Government and of course the airlines to provide the best service for foreign tourists visiting Bali,” said Governor Koster.
The first arrival of hundreds of Chinese tourists was also greeted directly by the Deputy for Marketing of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster, Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati; General Manager of Angkasa Pura I at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Bali, Handy Heryudhitiawan; as well as the PRC Consul General in Denpasar, Mr. Zhu Xinglon; Director of Regional Tourism Marketing I Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf, R Wisnu Sindhutrisno; Head of the Ministry of Parekraf/Baparekraf Communication Bureau, I Gusti Ayu Dewi Hendriyani.***
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