The existence of easing or canceling the implementation of the Level 3 Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) at the end of 2021 has had a positive impact on hotel operators in Bali. Ashyana Candidasa Beach Resort in Karangasem, for instance, experienced an increase in room occupancy of up to 50 percent on Christmas and New Year especially for the period December 24, 2021– January 1, 2022. “With a super discounted room rates of up to 60 percent from the rates before the pandemic, even the local Balinese and domestic guests from outside Bali can obviously help cover operating costs,” said Director of Ashyana Candidasa Beach Resort, Wayan Kariasa, on Wednesday (Jan 12).

The celebration of the New Year this time is very different from the years before the pandemic. Currently, remaining in a pandemic atmosphere and following up on the government’s circular, the celebration activity is accompanied by restriction, so that even tourists cannot freely have a party. “We only serve Live Music and Karaoke which lasted until 22:00. There were no fireworks and we still applied strict health protocols,” he said.

The sweetness of the visit indeed took place temporarily because after the New Year the visits began to be very sluggish and decreased drastically to only 5-7 percent again. “We hope that the government can invite other regional government agencies or from ministries to hold activities in Karangasem to increase the movement of the tourism economy in East Bali. Whether it is a dissemination program, training or events, surely it they can invite them to enjoy Karangasem tourism, such as cycling, snorkeling, diving, trekking and visiting our local wisdom, customs and culture here,” he asked the government.

This Chairman of the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Karangasem Chapter also hoped that Bali will soon be opened to foreign tourists and make Bali a quarantine safe island. Bali has complied for this reason because the people participating in the first vaccination already reached more than 100 percent, and the second vaccination reached above 90 percent and even children vaccination are already running. “Regarding the public facilities such as swimming pools, gardens and others, including facilities for rooms, restaurants, food stalls and others, we have always controlled and maintained them well,” he said.

To promote during the pandemic, Kariasa admitted that in the early period of the year many offered discount and cheap packages to attract the public and tourists to Karangasem. This includes offering tour packages. Domestic tourists prefer to make last minute bookings, and prefer to bring their own transportation to explore destinations in Karangasem, so they offer more in the form of discounts or room packages, meals and others. “We are waiting for a move from the government to help or allocate a budget for digital promotions for these destinations in East Bali,” he hoped. (BTN/015)