Ep 175: Bali’s Tourism Bounce-back Builds Momentum, with the Bali Hotels Association

“Barring another pandemic, there would be very little to derail [Bali’s] outlook for the next 12 months.”

Tourism in Bali bounced back impressively in the second half of 2022, and 2023 is seeing the recovery gather fast-paced momentum. This week, Gary chats all things travel and tourism in Bali with Simona Chimenti, Marketing & Media Relations Director of the Bali Hotels Association and General Manager of The Pavilions Bali in Sanur, and Melina Caruso, Technology & Marketing Consultant for the Bali Hotel’s Association.

In a broad-ranging chat, we address Bali’s top inbound markets, with India and Russia performing well and Chinese tourists starting to return, and the importance of Indonesia’s huge domestic market. We address increasing air connectivity, strengthening hotel metrics and shorter booking windows.

And, we talk air connectivity and look ahead to Emirates launching its A380 service to/from Dubai in early June. Plus, as media worldwide continue to focus on negative aspects - such as disrespectful tourist behaviour and proposed response measures like a Tourism Tax and Tourist Quota - Simona and Melina provide thoughtful insider perspectives from Bali’s hotel industry.