Bali has been hit hard by the pandemic, like most of the world’s tourism-based economies. The Indonesian island has faced disasters before — the 2002 and 2005 terrorist attacks, and 2017 eruption of Mount Agung, Bali’s tallest and most sacred volcano — but these disruptions have been eclipsed by the social and economic impact of Covid-19. 

Although various international media outlets have reported that around 80% of Bali’s economy is drawn from tourism, it is closer to 58% according to Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency. However, this figure is quite difficult to determine accurately, as thousands across the province — both Balinese and Indonesians from elsewhere in the country — work informally.

When the Indonesian government suspended international tourist arrivals at the end of March 2020, the livelihoods of thousands — including many foreigners who call Bali home — were immediately impacted. Some Balinese tourism workers had no choice but to return to their ancestral villages and pick up farming or fishing to put food on the table, while others pivoted to running their own small businesses online. The economic losses have been unprecedented, with Bali’s economy contracting by almost 10% in the first quarter of 2021.

But Indonesians are resilient people. The Balinese banjar system — the social architecture that keeps islanders deeply connected to their local community — as well as fundraising drives from Indonesians and expats alike, ensured the basic needs of most continued to be met. The strength of community ties, and the fact that the island was prioritized for vaccines, meant that Bali was the first province in the country to reach an 80% vaccination rate.

Bali is back

After months of gradually relaxing international arrival regulations — including the removal of quarantine — Indonesia’s Visa on Arrival was reintroduced in early March 2022. The uptick in inbound tourism was almost immediate: the following month, 66,685 foreigners walked through the gates of Bali’s international airport. Only nine did so in April last year.

With more surfers out in the waves, more tour groups snapping sunset selfies on Kuta Beach, and more tables occupied at cafes and restaurants, Bali’s tourism areas are well and truly buzzing again. The relief, energy and excitement among tourism sector workers is palpable. Banking on a steady recovery, dozens of new hospitality businesses have opened in recent months, from rooftop restaurants and speakeasy bars to boutique hotels and beach clubs.

Quality over quantity 

Despite the relatively swift return of tourists, Bali has changed in myriad ways over the last two years. The pandemic prompted citizens and the local government to pause and reflect on the future of the island’s tourism industry — and what needs to change. Where once the focus was on mass tourism and achieving increasingly higher annual tourist targets, the conversation has now shifted to the need for “quality tourism.” 

Generally, the provincial and central governments see quality tourism as tourism that contributes more to the local economy while having less of an impact on the environment and social norms. To put it simply, a “quality tourist” is one who stays for longer and contributes to more locally-owned businesses, from accommodation and food to travel services. Remote workers are a great example of a “quality tourist,” as usually they stay in one place for longer periods and use a range of local services.

A greener future

As the island speeds up its post-pandemic recovery efforts, a wide range of industry members are coming together to try to make Bali’s tourism future greener. As well as reflecting many locals’ deep desire for a more sustainable tourism sector, their efforts are also responding to the increasing trend of travelers preferring environmentally and socially conscious businesses and experiences. 

In April this year, Booking.com released insights gathered from more than 30,000 travelers across 32 countries and territories, which showed that 81% of travellers say that sustainable travel is important to them, while 59% say they want to leave places they visit better than when they arrived,

Under the banner of KemBALI Becik, a variety of local businesses and NGOs with government support are “greening Bali travel.” (In Indonesian, kembali means “return,” while becik is Balinese for “good.” Through its website and social media campaigns, the collective highlights businesses adopting clean energy and offering environmentally friendly consumer products. It also provides suggestions for travelers wishing to reduce their environmental impact.

Welcome back to Bali

The Visa on Arrival is the simplest and most popular way to enter Bali. It entitles the holder to a 30-day stay and is extendable for another 30 days. It costs IDR500,000 with payment on arrival, and is available for travelers from over 60 countries. If you’re an ASEAN national, you’re entitled to a free 30-day visa, which can’t be extended. At least two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine are required for entry, and there is no testing on arrival. 

For the most accessible, up-to-date information about international entry requirements, head to the Welcome Back to Bali website.

Although the island is showing early signs of a strong recovery, it’s important to remember that for two years, very few international travelers made it to Bali. With next to no income, thousands of tourism and hospitality businesses were forced to shut their doors, and many of them were unable to reopen. Now is an excellent time to base yourself on this incredible island, as your support will go a long way to getting local tourism workers back on their feet.