TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has reopened its doors to international flights in Bali starting October 14, 2021. However, no international arrivals via I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport were recorded.

Bali Deputy Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, or popularly known as Cok Ace, said it would take at least three weeks to one month to bring back foreign tourists. He opined that the island would be crowded again at the end of October or no later than early 2022.

“It (Bali) is open today. The results may show at the end of October or early next year. Because they need time for preparations and arranging for visas and bookings. But if there are charter flights, it (the crowds of foreign tourists) may come sooner,” said Cok Ace, who is also the chairman of the Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), on Thursday, October 14.

The reopening of Bali, he said, brought a new spirit and hope to tourism players on the island as it proves that the COVID-19 situation has already been under control.

Cok Ace also said that the people of Bali showed enthusiasm to welcome foreign tourists which were evident from the public’s high compliance rate with the health protocols. “Based on the survey, the public's compliance rate with the health protocols, especially the use of face masks, reach 95 percent,” he said.

Read: Reopening of International Flights to Bali Yet to Affect Soekarno-Hatta Airport

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