Agoda, a hotel booking service, has
released its most recent data on travel trends, and searches for Bali are on
the rise. The online travel platform is one of the most popular websites for travelers,
and its data support the Indonesian government's position that the island is irreversibly
open for business.
Aodga's data covers searches from
February 2022, when Indonesia declared the reopening of borders, through early
May. Search interest in the renowned beach location is at an all-time high. In comparison
to other Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia came in third, barely ahead of
Thailand and the Philippines. Bali was the most-searched-for location in
Indonesia.
Agoda has been analyzing searches for
more than just destinations; they have also been keeping an eye on where
prospective tourists are coming from. If searches turn into bookings, Bali
should expect an inflow of tourists from Australia, the United States,
Singapore, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. According to Agoda, the largest
rise in searches for hotels and other accommodation in Bali came from
Australia, which increased by 220%, and Singapore, which increased by 200%.
Gede Gunawan, Senior Director at Agoda
Indonesia, stated in an interview, "Pristine beaches and the distinct
culture and charm of Bali are undeniably luring people back." Whether
tourists are a half-day flight away or only a few hours from the island, many
still regard Bali to be a perfect vacation location and plan to return as soon
as possible.
Agoda has also provided the public with
a breakdown of the most googled destinations in Bali. Kuta and Seminyak ranked
first and second, as they did prior to the pandemic. Ubud's laidback and jungly
appeal helped it rank third among Bali's most searched destinations, with Nusa
Dua a close fourth.
Canggu, Ulutwau, Amed, and Lovina did
make the list, but their popularity pales in comparison to the legendary Kuta
and Seminyak. Accommodation in quieter, further-from-the-airport areas is
advised for those who want to experience the Bali atmosphere without the rising
crowds.
In the next weeks, online booking
platforms and travel service providers anticipate an even higher rise in
queries and bookings. The Indonesian government suspended the pre-arrival PCR
test for visitors to the country on Tuesday. This is good news for potential
visitors who had to budget for the equivalent of an extra night of lodging
simply for their PCR testing. Passport control now requires travelers to show
their Covid-19 vaccine certificate.
Those who are exempt from the vaccine
do not need to submit a vaccine certificate but must show a letter signed by a
medical doctor confirming their exemption status. Travelers under the age of 18
are likewise exempt from showing a vaccination certificate.
Quarantine-free travel,
visa-on-arrival for visitors from 60 countries, the elimination of the
pre-arrival PCR test, and easing of mask regulations in outdoor settings are
proven to be winning formulas for Bali's tourism industry. Travel providers
such as Agoda will do everything possible to help facilitate growing demand and
ensure that prospective tourists are confident and educated ahead of their
arrival.
Bali is trying to ramp up its efforts
to make the Covid-19 vaccine available to the general public. Denpasar, Bali's
major city, now has the highest vaccination rate in all of Indonesia. The
majority of people have had their second shot of the vaccine, and the local
administration is now providing booster doses. The Covid-19 Task Force declared
that they will focus their efforts on ensuring that the elderly population
receives their immunizations, as this was the demographic with the most
concerns.