This virus has gone on long enough but the good news is most people in Bali have had two vaccinations and most tourists countries have vaccinated the majority of their population. What does all this mean, it means Bali will be back very soon and so will we. When you see girls on the Bali beaches on the hunt to make money by pleasing a foreigner then you know things are returning to normal. When things return to normal we will open. When will this be, my prediction is early 2022.
There has been a lot of negative press surrounding Bali’s new tourism initiative called Bali Reopening. This is due to the fact that there was a reported measles outbreak in Bali that resulted in over 500 suspected cases and many deaths. This outbreak is similar to what happened in the United States, where a mass measles outbreak took place and caused thousands of cases of uncharacteristic rash, loss of appetite, cough, and other relatively common symptoms. The reopening has begun, however, and while the majority of affected tourists have been quarantined, travelers should not be concerned about this outbreak impacting them while they are on vacation.
Since Bali began welcoming foreign tourists in 2021, the island destination has seen a significant increase in tourist traffic. This is particularly true during the peak Bali opening season, which from early June through October is the most crowded time of the year on the island. Between the busy times at this time of year, however, the majority of foreign tourists do not venture beyond the tourist hotels, which is a huge mistake. For those who are unfamiliar with Bali’s travel and tourism sector, this may seem counterintuitive given the bad press, but it is a common mistake to make.
When looking for a Bali opening hotel, it is important to ask whether or not they offer any health protocols. While there are no strict guidelines for visiting the island (and even the authorities are somewhat vague when addressing questions regarding safety and hygiene), hotels are encouraged to follow a few basic standards. First, all Bali Opening hotels are required to implement a well developed and highly contagious illness response plan. These plans generally involve creating an ill person checklist, which can be distributed to any members of your party upon arrival and which should include basic recommendations and precautions related to possible illness.
Bali’s tourism office is also expected to ensure that any visitors who arrive at the Bali opening will receive a detailed itinerary and a detailed travel bulletin, which outlines entry requirements and which outlines what documentation your particular tourists will need to present while at the Bali entrance. It is also expected that your Bali opening hotel will have a representative available to help with questions or concerns about your planned trip. Finally, all Bali opening hotels are required to ensure that they implement strict measures and high hygiene standards for the entire duration of your stay. This includes implementation of a four step process that monitors and enforces sanitary conditions throughout your Bali vacation. These steps include the use of a sanitary surface or floor covering at all entrance ways, the cleaning of your rooms and swimming pools, and the sterilization of towels, cups, and other toilet paper.
If you plan on traveling to the island during the months of July and August, you will be required to submit a vaccination record to the tourism office upon arrival. This is required regardless of your departure country. The requirement for a vaccinations does not affect your Bali reopening visa, but you may need to provide an additional immunization at the time of your initial visit if you travel outside of the months of July and August. In addition to obtaining a Bali reopening visa, you will also need a passport, as all travelers will need to show a valid passport when returning to the United States. Once your tour is completed and you return to the States, you will be able to apply for a tourist visa.
While most tourists are automatically eligible for entry to the Island during the month of October, there are still some cases where tourists may not be allowed into the Country. There are a few exceptions to this policy, including cases where your stay was banned due to contagious diseases or breaches of quarantine. Bali tourism should remain relatively free throughout the year, but the reopening of its temples and other attractions may raise ticket prices for the rest of the year. For example, the entrance fees to the temples increase by fifty percent in November, as do Bali airport parking fees. The exact price of Bali tourism during the month of October will vary, so it’s best to check with your local travel agent or visit the Bali Travel website to get your most accurate information.
So when the dust fanally settles and tourism returns to normal, make sure you book a pleasant companion in Bali with our service.