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Indonesia reopened the island of Bali To fully vaccinated tourists from 19 countries in October. But only two foreign nationals arrived that month – both by sea – and the airport is not yet receiving international flights.
Bali, one of the world’s most popular destinations, is among the few tourism hotspots in Southeast Asia that have reopened—technically at least—to international visitors in recent weeks. For local hotels, tour operators and other low-income businesses eliminated early in the pandemic, the news initially brought little hope that 2021 could end on a positive note.
But traveling to these destinations from other countries is an undertaking that few people bother with amid the ongoing uncertainty about rules, fares, lack of flights, and new outbreaks.
“Planning a short vacation for everyone but the most determined is a complex process,” said Stuart McDonald, co-founder of his company. Travelfish.orgThe Southeast Asia guide mentioned international travelers looking to vacation in the region.
“There will be determined people who will figure this out,” added Mr McDonald, who lives in Bali. “But for anything on scale, we still have some time to wait.”
Bali, where tourism accounts for more than half of the pre-pandemic economy, had more than six million international arrivals in 2019. But Dayu Indah, head of the island’s official’s marketing division, said that figure has been only 45 so far this year. Tourism Office. All of these passengers arrived by sea to the Port of Benoa, just down the road from the international airport.
“I don’t know where they came from,” said Ms. Indah. “I don’t have any details, whether it’s a tourist or an expatriate,” he said.
Recent arrival numbers to other tourist hotspots in Southeast Asia aren’t that extreme, but they’re still shabby by pandemic standards.
There are only a few hundred foreign tourists in Malaysia. visited the resort town of Langkawi since the government partially opened it to visitors this fall – much less than a local development authority would expect.
in Thailand, More than 100,000 foreign visitors It arrived in November as part of the quarantine-free entry program for fully vaccinated tourists from dozens of countries. But the country’s total arrivals for the year – less than 270,000 – are still a tiny fraction of the 40 million that arrived in 2019.
Foreign tourists started in Vietnam dripping by dozens Under pilot programs in November, but these figures are nowhere near the 1.8 million international arrivals the country recorded in November 2019, according to official data. The programs were launched before the Omicron variant was discovered and the country’s case numbers reached a new high.
Part of the problem for Southeast Asia’s tourism industry is China, a major source of visitors. brought a lot of restrictions Citizens traveling abroad – including 14-day quarantine upon return – very few leave.
Another problem is the lack of direct flights. For example, Cambodia reopened to international travelers last month and waived quarantine for those who are fully vaccinated and tested. But Mr McDonald said most travelers from outside of Asia wishing to visit the country will need to pass through aviation hubs elsewhere in the region, such as Malaysia. This means additional Covid scans.
“This is very complex,” he said. “You are stuck in quarantine and you test positive. Who wants to take a vacation like this?”
As for Bali, the reasons for not visiting are not only the lack of direct international flights, but also Indonesia’s 10-day quarantine for fully vaccinated people and the paperwork required to obtain a work visa. (Tourist visas have been suspended.)
Ms. Indah said Bali is currently focusing on domestic tourists, with 12,000 of them arriving by air last weekend.
He added that the island is as ready as possible for the resumption of international tourism. More than 90 percent of residents have been fully vaccinated and more than 2,000 facilities have passed a Covid-specific health and safety inspection.
But if we talk about the opening of the borders, the opening of the country, the authority is in the central government, and this is not easy, I regret to say. “There are many things to consider.”
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