Bali ranked top searched destination in Indonesia, interest spike in SG and Australia

Searches for Bali have spiked on digital travel platform Agoda, following Indonesia's announcement to lift all quarantine requirements for overseas visitors entering the country from 22 March 2022, two years after it imposed border restrictions due to COVID-19. The nationwide move by the Indonesian government followed a two-week trial of quarantine-free travel in Bali, Batam and Bintan. Indonesia is hopeful that the ease of travel restrictions will boost the number of foreign tourist this year to over three million. 

Bali was ranked as the top searched destination in Indonesia, while the entire country ranked third as a destination in Asia, following closely behind Thailand and Philippines. Agoda's data also revealed that Australia saw the most number of searches for Bali, followed by the US, Singapore, the UK, and South Korea. Australia and Singapore also recorded the highest increase in searches for Bali, at 220% and 200% respectively. Additionally, lively, popular spots such as Kuta and Seminyak, Ubud, known for its quiet lush greenery, and watersport haven Nusa Dua, were among the top destination spots in Bali, according to Agoda. 

Gede Gunawan, senior country director, Agoda Indonesia said: "Pristine beaches and the unique culture and charm of Bali are undoubtedly luring travellers back. Whether visitors are a half-day flight away or just a couple hours to the island, many still consider Bali as a paradise vacation destination and look to get back there as soon as they are able to."

Under the new border and quarantine guideline, effective 6 April 2022, fully vaccinated travellers can enjoy quarantine-free travel to Indonesia, so long as they present a negative PCR test result within 48 hours prior to departure. Travellers are also allowed to roam, explore and travel to other parts of Indonesia with no need for additional tests. However, foreign visitors will need to present proof of health insurance, which includes coverage of COVID-19 medical treatments.

Furthermore, in an effort to further bolster the country's reopening, Indonesia has granted Visa on Arrival (VOA) to 43 countries, including 15 countries in the APAC region such as Singapore and Malaysia. Gunawan said that the introduction of quarantine-free, test only border openings, along with VOA for additional countries, is a great initiative that aims to help bring tourists back to Bali and Indonesia.

Separately, Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno said at the Southeast Asia Development Symposium that Indonesia is shifting from quantity to quality tourism with a focus on long-term visitors such as remote workers, who spend more on local business and protect the environment. For instance, the country offers ways for tourists to offset the carbon pollution of their flights, such as mangrove planting while on holiday, he added. Uno also said that Indonesia has 3,000 villages in a community-based tourism project that encourages visitors to support local businesses and products.

Indonesia has also been actively pushing for tourism in Bali. According to the Central Statistics Bureau of Bali, only 45 international tourists visited Bali in 2021 despite the island’s reopening on 14 October 2021. Last year, The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment initiated the "Work From Bali" programme for civil servants, aimed at helping to revive Bali's economy. Under this program, the government would send 25% of state civil servants from selected ministries to stay in 16 participating hotels in the Nusa Dua area. Head of the communication bureau of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Vinsensius Jemadu, said then that this policy would encourage economic recovery after the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hospitality and lifestyle group ARTOTEL Group also launched Gamer Asylum concept rooms at AIRTOTEL Sanur Bali last month to target a new market segment, gamers. ARTOTEL told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE then that Gamer Asylum was inspired by the gaming ban in China, which limits young gamers playing online video games to three hours a week. The restrictions apply to any device, including phones, and the new rules swiftly became one of the most discussed topics on Weibo. "With this concept, we hope to be able to attract a new market segment (gamers) and especially international tourists who can visit Gamer Asylum to play without limitations and in turn also contribute to Bali’s tourism," AIRTOTEL's spokesperson said.

Photo courtesy: 123RF

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