Experts raise doubts about Bali’s reopening plan

October 8th 2021

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The Indonesian government’s plan to reopen Bali to several destinations from October 14 has received a lukewarm reception from some experts. Read More » The holiday island’s borders have been closed due to COVID. Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister, Luhut Pandjaitan, announced on Monday that Bali would accept foreign tourists from China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and the UAE. The minister said international visitors would have to have proof of hotel bookings and bear the cost of quarantine for at least eight days. The policy was seen as an attempt to boost the economy in tourism-dependent Bali, but observers were surprised when one of the island’s biggest markets, Australia, was not included. However, experts have urged caution with the plan. Center of Reform on Economics (CORE) Indonesia economist, Yusuf Rendy Menilet, told CNN Indonesia it may not result in a quick economic recovery because of the doubts of potential visitors may have about Indonesia’s handling of the pandemic. He also noted October was not the main season for visitors. His caution was echoed by Institute of Development and Economics Finance economist, Nailul Huda, who told the network Indonesia needed to be wary of the COVID situation for inbound markets and to learn from its experience with the Delta variant. Huda also was skeptical that opening Bali at this time would lead to an economic recovery.