Bali Prepares To Welcome Influx Of Foreign Visits As Middle East Conflict Escalates
As the conflict in the Middle East looks set to continue at least for a few more weeks, leaders in Bali are calling for mitigation measures to be put in place.
Bali Immigration and Bali Airport have already stepped up support for passengers stranded as a result of airspace closures; now leaders are calling for more to be done to help prepare for global geo-political tensions that could impact the tourism sector in various ways.
As the first flights have started to operate from Dubai Airport again, Prof. Dr. IB Raka Suardana from Undikas University in Denpasar has spoken to reporters about this predictions about how the impact of the conflict will impact Bali.
He explained, “The government needs to prepare mitigation measures, particularly maintaining domestic price stability and pubic purchasing power, to prevent the impact from spreading.”
The statements from Prof Suardana were echoed by Dr. Putu Ngurah Suyatna Yasa from Bali’s Warmadewa University, who also believes that the government needs to implement mitigation measures as soon as possible.
He told reporters, “The Bali Provincial Government, along with tourism industry players, must prepare several tactical steps to mitigate the impact of the conflict in the Middle East.”
He explained that these mitigation measures include diversification and shifting target markers. Dr. Yasa shared that there should be a shift towards encouraging more domestic travel, with international travel set to be a viable market for the coming few months.
He noted that securing more bookings from local and domestic tourists can be used as a form of buffer from the potential sharp decline in hotel bookings or even rise in cancellations, as was seen during the pandemic lockdowns.
Other leaders in Bali have taken a different approach and see the province as an opportunity to position itself as a temporary point of refuge or retreat for those potentially impacted by the conflict.
Earlier this week, Bali Senator Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih shared, “If a major war breaks out, everyone will suffer. Bali, as a tertiary tourism industry, will certainly be the first to be affected. People will reduce spending and enter survival mode.”
He explained, “Bali must prepare to be a safe location for foreign tourists who may want to stay temporarily until the situation stabilizes. But of course, tourists who come must be qualified and comply with our regulations.”
At the moment, Bali is still focusing on supporting tourists and travelers who have been impacted by this week’s flight cancellations, mostly between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.
There has not been a notable increase in arrivals from the Middle East over the last week, although the number of tourists visiting Bali from the region has increased during the first two months of the year overall.
When war broke out in Ukraine, there was a notable rise in the number of arrivals to Bali from both Russia and Ukraine. It remains to be seen if citizens from Middle Eastern countries, or expats who were residing there, opt to relocate until the conflict eases.
Tourists who are in Bali at present and are set to travel to the Middle East or via the Middle East for connecting long-haul flights are advised to check in with their airline.
It is essential that tourists understand when their visa expires.
Many tourists are being advised to submit a precautionary visa exemption. Although Emergency Stay Permits are available for free, these are only issued when specific criteria are met, including proof of flight cancellations.
Tourists should contact the Indonesian Immigration directly to understand what steps they must take, given their own unique situation.
Tourists must also thoroughly read their travel insurance policies to understand what cover they have access to and what support they can obtain in the event of an emergency.
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