Bali to open its doors to international tourists from October

Bali, the beautiful Indonesian province known for its pristine beaches, coral reefs, volcanic mountains and rice paddies is all set to open its famed tourism sector after a pandemic induced lull. Indonesian tourism minister Sandiaga Uno informed that the island province would welcome international tourists from October onwards. The government said that even though they had planned to open Bali earlier itself, everything have fallen into place only now. The minister had announced the decision to open Bali after attending a high profile meeting held at the Tourism Polytechnic on September 24. Officials from various government departments also attended the meeting to discuss about the guidelines and protocols. Meanwhile, the minister added that discussions regarding the reopening of the borders are progressing. He said that the country has successfully been able to survive the deadly second wave of COVID-19. Earlier, Maritime and Investment coordinator Minister Luhut Binsar had said that the Bali. The government had decided to reopen the tourism sector in Bali after receiving a report from Cok Ace, deputy Governor of Bali, about the pandemic situation in the island. The number of COVID-19 cases has fallen significantly in Bali due to the efficient handling of the pandemic by the administration. Even though it has been announced that Bali would be opened in October, any dates or other details aren’t known. It is not clear whether the island administration would announce a list of countries from where the tourists would be allowed enter Bali. Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports that only fully vaccinated tourists would be allowed to enter Bali and that they might have to undergo special tests at the island province. Bali is one of the 33 provinces governed by Indonesia. It is often hailed as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The beautiful landscapes and the unique cultural heritage make Bali a desirable tourism hub. Known for its traditional art forms, amazing sculptures and impressive bio diversity, Bali is also called the ‘Island of Peace’, the ‘Island of the Gods’ or the ‘Island of Love’. Every year, millions of tourists from around the world, including India, visit Bali. However, Bali had suffered severe financial crisis after the tourism sector was badly hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic.