Direct flights, quarantine resorts, and e-visas are part of Bali’s new re-launching campaign to attract international tourists from Feb. 4.
The Minister of Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan said earlier this week that Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport will begin serving direct international flights from Friday.
Since its first reopening on Oct. 14, no international carrier has arrived in Bali, due to almost insuperable restrictions including the very limited number of nationalities approved to entry and the long quarantine periods.
But the lack of international airlines serving the island was by far the most significant issue deterring visitors from returning. Luckily, it appears that most of the issues have been solved.
The country’s flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is resuming flights between Tokyo’s Narita Airport and Bali this week, while Singapore Airlines will resume daily direct flights between the Little Red Dot and Bali on Feb. 16.
“The resumption of the daily flights to Bali represents Singapore Airlines’ long-term commitment to help grow Indonesia’s tourism industry,” said Alvin Seah, Singapore Airlines’ general manager for Indonesia.
Singapore has already restored quarantine-free travel to the Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan.
Bali also reduced quarantine days. Now, the vaccinated have to observe a 5-day quarantine while the partially vaccinated only 7.
The Grand Hyatt and Westin Resorts in Nusa Dua, the Royal Tulip in Jimbaran, the Griya Santrian in Denpasar, and the Viceroy in Ubud are all ready to welcome quarantined passengers.
A quarantine package that includes three meals per day, laundry, and PCR tests can cost up to IDR12 million (US$836.88) per person per 7 days. Those who have been fully vaccinated can reduce the price by 28%.
Travelers can now apply for the (B211A) business e-visa, which can now be used for tourism as well. The cost for a 30-day stay starts at USD 295 per person.
Visitors are reminded that even though the visa is referred to as a business visa, it is not a work permit and does not authorize tourists to work in Indonesia.