Bali Tourism Loses IDR 9.7 Trillion Per Month, The Central Prepares IDR 1.2 Trillion Grants

GIANYAR – baliprawara.com

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourism sector in Bali was severely affected, considering that Bali is a province that has made tourism a leading sector. In fact, from data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the growth rate of Bali in the second quarter of 2020 fell 10.98 percent year on year (YoY).

Throughout March to July 2020, the Bali Tourism Office recorded economic losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic reaching IDR 48.5 trillion or around IDR 9.7 trillion per month. To help the tourism industry survive, the Central Government through the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy together with the Ministry of Finance has also prepared and immediately distributed tourism grants of IDR 3.3 trillion for tourism businesses and local government. This grant is also prepared to help improve the implementation of health protocols in tourist destinations so as to create a sense of security and comfort for tourists.

According to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy / Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Wishnutama Kusubandio, from a grant of IDR 3.3 trillion, Bali received the largest portion, which is approximately IDR 1.2 trillion. This he said, because Bali was most affected by Covid-19. “The main purpose of this tourism grant is to help local government and the hotel and restaurant industry which are currently experiencing financial disruption and recovery from the decline in local revenue (PAD) due to the Covid-19 pandemic with a period of implementation until December 2020,” Wishnutama said during the launching of the We Love Bali program, Wednesday (Oxtober 14) at Bali Safari.

He added that the program is intended to support industrial operations such as paying employee salaries and others in accordance with the designation of the program. In addition, the program which is included in the National Economic Recovery (PEN) is also to help industry complete or strengthen the implementation of health protocols. “This program as a whole is expected to help the industry survive and rise from the pandemic as well as strengthen the application of health protocols, so that the industry can return to being productive and remain safe for Covid-19 and increase tourist confidence,” he assured. (MBP1)