Bali sees an influx of Indian tourist footfall
Bali is becoming a popular choice for Indian tourists
Bali, an island in Indonesia, is rapidly becoming a popular tourist destination for Indian travellers.
The first six months of 2016 has seen close to 55.7pc growth in the numbers of Indian tourists travelling to Bali compared to the same time last year, reported the Bali Tourism Promotion Board (BPPD). The exact figure 18,850 so far in 2016, which is significantly higher than 13,677 in the middle 2015.
India is growing as an important market for tourism. Gilda Sagrado, Executive Director, BPPD, stated, “The growth in arrivals could be achieved to the marketing efforts of India Representative office.” With India ranked 6th for inbound visitor arrivals in Bali in 2016, figures during the first six months of 2016 clearly reflect. As a big contributor to the international tourist circuit in Bali, close to 80,000 travellers from India visited the island in 2015. Vineet Gopal, Director of Bali Tourism Promotion Board in India attributed the rising numbers to various factors. “Support from the Consulate and efforts of the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia have helped in achieving this growth” he said.
Focus on various segments of the tourism market, such as the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions) groups has been another factor. “The MICE segment alone brings big inflow of travellers. Adding to this, two major weddings planned for November and December means that we expect close to 15,000 visitors at that time” disclosed Vineet.
“Aggressiveness of our partners in Bali and the important provision of the availability of visa on arrival for Indians has led to a sustainable increase of over 50pc in the number of Indians coming to Bali in first six months of 2016” added Vineet.
The island in Indonesia is a preferred honeymoon destination.
Bali is also being promoted as a romantic getaway for honeymooners and leisure & luxury seekers. Monica Manchanda Mohindra, Brand Ambassador for Bali Tourism Promotion Board in India, said “The luxury and leisure market for Bali is on the rise. It offers everything that luxury vacationers and honeymooners are looking for.”
Indo-Bali connection
From a total of over 26,000 visitors in the year 2008 to a number close to 92,000 already in the first six months of 2016, Bali has exponentially grown as a preferred destination for Indian tourists.
Bali is an island with a large number of Hindus who settled there and perhaps the largest settlement of Hindus within Indonesia. However, Vineet clarified “This is an important factor for tourists inbound to India and not necessarily for those outbound from India. But it definitely is a plus point for Indians that their choice of food is widely available in the island”.
Deep ties exist between India and Bali, with not just the religious connection, but also because of the welcome extended to travellers by the people of Indonesia. Vineet said, “The people all over Indonesia, including Bali, are extremely warm and receive outsiders with open arms, making a visit for anyone a pleasant experience.”
