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Potential India-Bali travel corridor in the works, says tourism minister Sandiaga
The tourism minister says he is making inroads to establishing a holiday travel corridor with India to attract tourists to Bali in line with the President's plans to reopen the country to foreign travelers, but it's news to the Foreign Ministry.
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Visitors watch a park employee distribute bananas during the Badung regency's "Farm Trip" program on Dec. 6, 2020 at Sangeh Monkey Forest in Badung, Bali. (Antara/Fikri Yusuf)
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ndonesia might see an uptick in Indian tourists entering Bali starting in July, as the Tourism Ministry is looking to open a holiday travel corridor with the South Asian country to boost tourist arrivals to the Hindu-majority province.
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno met with Indian Ambassador Manoj Kumar Bharti on March 17 in Bali in their second such meeting to discuss the possibility of opening a Mumbai-Denpasar travel corridor, including direct flights.
“India is a big contributor to foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia, and most visitors from India go to Bali. Perhaps there is a cultural similarity or the destination and tourism products are suitable,” minister Sandiaga said of the plan at a press conference on Monday, March 22.
He added that the ministry would implement strict health protocols at tourist sites and double down on test, trace, treat (3T) procedures as a requirement for opening the travel corridor. He did not mention if potential holiday perks would apply to tourists that used the travel corridor.
"How the [Balinese] practice religious teachings in their daily lives, which is different from India, will be an interesting experience for Indian tourists when visiting Bali," ambassador Bharti said in a statement on March 17.
Bharti also expressed optimism that the Bali administration could inoculate 2 million residents by July, which would increase confidence among Indian tourists in visiting Bali.
