Tourism in Bali has been hit hard by the pandemic over the past two years. When Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan announced last week that international travelers would be allowed direct entry to the island from February 4, local businesses welcomed the plan. eagerly.

“We have been waiting a long time. So any plan to encourage tourism in Bali should be welcomed and supported with optimism,” said Ida Bagus Kharisma Wijaya, 42, a Balinese businessman who runs Segara Village Hotel, Byrdhouse Beach Club, Kejora Suites (all in Sanur, southeast Bali). ) and Bapak Bakery (in Kerobokan, Badung, Bali) said Jakarta Post in an interview.

“The pandemic has been going on for two years. [We hope] that this announcement will mark the renewal of [tourism] in Bali.”