Bali Tourism Influx: Immigration Records 19,000 Daily Foreign Visitors

The Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, revealed a promising resurgence in Bali's tourism industry as he reported a staggering influx of 19,000 foreign travelers passing through I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport each day. This remarkable figure surpassed the pre-pandemic average of 17,000 daily visitors, signifying a significant rebound for the island's tourism sector. Delighted with this quantitative progress, Silmy emphasized the need to shift focus towards improving the quality of tourists arriving on the enchanting island.

In response to challenges faced in recent months, where some foreign visitors demonstrated disregard for local values and committed violations, Silmy acknowledged the importance of fostering a harmonious relationship between tourists and local residents. To address this, the Immigration DG aims to implement measures that not only control rowdy behavior but also encourage tourists to abide by rules and cultural sensitivities. As a vital step towards enhancing the quality of foreign tourists, the DG intends to revoke the free visit visa (BVK) policy for 159 countries, a strategy previously undertaken by Australia, which yielded favorable outcomes in attracting more responsible and respectful visitors. Presently, only citizens from 10 ASEAN countries enjoy the privilege of visa-free entry to Indonesia, further emphasizing the nation's dedication to promoting tourism while ensuring a more positive and mutually beneficial experience for all.