By: Tawhid Noble )*
The IPU (Inter Parliamentary Union) general assembly will be held in Bali. This forum is expected to restore tourism on the Island of the Gods. The reason is because IPU members have seen for themselves how beautiful Bali is and its tourism is also safe, even though it is still a pandemic.
The pandemic made everything change and there was a slight economic shock. Likewise the tourism sector because there are countries that prohibit their citizens from traveling long distances, so that tourist visits have decreased drastically. Whereas for areas like Bali, tourism is the main ‘selling’, so in the past two years hoteliers, travel agents, etc., have had to bite their fingers.
But we can’t just give up. The IPU Forum which will be held in Bali can be an opening for the tourism sector to rise again. Putu Supadma Rudana, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency, stated that the arrival of 197 IPU delegates was expected to stimulate the tourism sector.
In a sense, the IPU delegation will see that Bali is truly beautiful. They previously only knew about her beauty from the mass media or social media. However, when they land, the delegates will witness the sunset in Kuta and the exotic nature and culture that is still strong on the Island of the Gods. It is hoped that they will invite the people of their country to visit Bali in the near future.
Putu Supadma added, Bali is very safe for tourism because all its people have received complete doses of vaccines, including boosters. Security is indeed a condition for traveling during a pandemic. The safety of tourists is guaranteed because everyone, from bellboys to staff in restaurants and hotels, to civil society, has been vaccinated. So that group immunity is formed in Bali.
Putu also supports the reopening of international doors at the airport so that tourists can land directly and enjoy the beauty of Bali. They are not afraid to travel during the pandemic because the situation in Bali is relatively safe. If the international arrival gate in Bali has been opened, it is very practical, because tourists can fly directly without having to transit in Surabaya or other cities.
The delegates from IPU member countries also saw for themselves the security procedures in Bali. Starting from the bubble system, the obligation to wear masks and wash hands or use hand sanitizers, etc. They also do not sit next to each other, but there is a distance between the chairs. That way, they will promote to their people that Bali is very safe to visit during a pandemic, because everything is in order.
Standardization of safety and health protocols must be carried out in Bali and all regions in Indonesia. So the IPU delegation saw for themselves the discipline of the community. So that they no longer hesitate to travel to the Island of the Gods someday, when it is the holiday period.
The IPU delegates also saw that the ban on foreigners coming to Indonesia had been lifted since October 2021, so that not only they were allowed to visit Bali, but all other foreigners. So that there will be no miscommunication because they think that there are still restrictions on foreigner visits in Indonesia.
With the holding of the IPU in Bali, there will be many positive impacts for tourism. Entrepreneurs on the Island of the Gods will smile again as occupancy rates in hotels and homestays rise again. In addition, the country’s foreign exchange will also increase.
IPU will restore tourism in Bali so that the sector will recover after being hit by a pandemic storm for two years. The IPU delegates will see the safety of tourism in Bali in accordance with health protocols, so that travelers will feel comfortable and not afraid of getting corona while on the Island of the Gods.
)* The author is a contributor to the Press Circle and Cikini Students