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Bali vaccine tourism plan meets skepticism amid COVID-19 surge
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno has announced a plan to begin a “vaccine vacation” program in Bali for domestic and international tourists. But the scheme has been met with skepticism as the country faces a severe COVID-19 surge.
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Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno (center) observes the COVID-19 vaccination of tourism workers in Uluwatu, Bali, in March. (Courtesy of Kemenparekraf/-)
T
he Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry plans to test a “vaccine vacation” program in Bali to boost visits, a policy that experts have criticized as untimely considering the recent COVID-19 surge in the country.
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said on Tuesday that the program, which would allow tourists to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Bali, was being finalized with the governor of the province, who would officially announce it next week.
“Soon after the announcement, the vaccine tourism plan can be immediately implemented,” he said during a press briefing.
Health Ministry spokeswoman Siti Nadia Tarmizi and Bali Tourism Agency head I Putu Astawa separately told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that they had yet to receive details of the vaccine tourism program.
Furthermore, an epidemiologist and an economist told the Post that a vaccine vacation program would draw precious resources away from the ongoing COVID-19 wave.
The program seeks revive Bali’s tourism-driven economy, alongside discussions of international travel corridor arrangements (TCAs) and a work from Bali (WFB) promotional campaign.
Read also: Indonesia in travel corridor talks with seven countries
