Bali is banking on domestic tourism to hasten the recovery of the Island’s economy. As reported by Kompas.com, there are at least 20 major events planned for 2021. According to the Provincial Tourism Service head, Putu Astawa, this total is not complete, with many additional local and international events planned for the current year yet to be listed.
On Tuesday, 06 April 2021, Astawa said the many Bali-based events would fuel rapid growth in domestic arrivals that have become a mainstay of the Island’s tourism following the outbreak of the global pandemic.
Ruminating on developments in the short to medium-term, Astawa added: “Back to normal, it’s not. But for us, it will bring tourism back to 25-30% of normal levels. (For now) that’s good enough.” He said that before the pandemic, 16,000 domestic tourists would visit Bali daily, but Bali is hoping that a daily average of 5,000 domestic visitors can be achieved during the continuing pandemic. Astawa said he believed that this figure is workable because, during the just-passed Easter Holiday, an average of 8,000 visitors came to Bali, which is 50% of the targeted level of 16,000.
“But, if we can welcome 5,000 visitors a day, that’s enough for the current situation,” he added.
Astawa said most domestic tourists come to Bali from Jakarta, Surabaya, and Sulawesi and prefer to visit Bali’s oceanside or mountains but are less interested than Europeans in cultural objects and destinations.
The tourism chief said Bali is working with travel agents in Surabaya and Jakarta to lure more visitors to Bali, focusing on the youth-student market, business and medical associations.
Enumerating the 20 events “officially” listed for Bali in 2021:
1. Nusa Penida Festival
2. Nusa Dua International Run
3. Pesona Nusa Dua Fiesta 2021
4. Ubud Writers and Readers Festival
5. Gianyar Layang-Layang Festival
6. Ubud Jazz Festival
7. Festival Jatiluwih
8. Festival Kerambitan
9. Tanah Lot Weeked II
10. Denpasar Festival
11. Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF)
12. Pesta Kesenian Bali Festival
13. Tabanan Amazing Race
14. Karangasem Cultural Movement Carnaval 2021
15. Penglipuran Festival
16. Makepung Festival
17. Umabian Fest
18. Bali Cycling Marathon
19. Buleleng Festival
20. Pemuteran Festival
