Ticket Discounts Help Cushion Bali’s Tourism Low Season: Bank Indonesia
Denpasar, Bali – The Bali Representative Office of Bank Indonesia (BI) has highlighted the positive impact of government-led ticket discounts in alleviating the effects of the low tourism season on Bali’s economy. The discounts, which offer up to 30 percent off on transportation tickets, aim to stimulate economic activity amid typical seasonal declines.
Despite seasonal downturns, business operators in Bali remain optimistic about retail prospects. Erwin Soeriadimadja, Head of BI Bali, noted that a recent survey involving 100 retail businesses in Denpasar recorded a Real Sales Index of 124.3, indicating a 6.4 percent increase compared to the previous year. This optimism is attributed in part to government incentives that include promotional fares on sea transportation, domestic flights, and toll road usage.
The survey also revealed that during the fasting month (Ramadan) and Eid al-Fitr period, many domestic tourists prefer to return to their hometowns rather than vacationing in Bali. Supporting this trend, data from airport management company Angkasa Pura Airports showed a 15 percent month-on-month decline in domestic arrivals, primarily due to homecoming activities associated with Ramadan.
Local businesses have also observed more cautious consumer spending as residents prepare financially for upcoming religious holidays in March, including Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr. To counterbalance these factors, transportation discounts have been introduced to encourage travel and support business turnover.
Specific incentives include railway ticket discounts effective from March 14 to 29, sea transportation discounts from March 11 to April 5, and air travel reductions between March 14 and 29. Domestic economy-class airline tickets are discounted by approximately 17 to 18 percent, with ferry port service fees fully waived. These measures are designed to reduce passenger congestion and enhance mobility during peak holiday periods.
The Bank Indonesia representative underscores that these stimulus efforts contribute significantly to sustaining Bali’s tourism-dependent economy during traditionally slower seasons by making travel more affordable and accessible for domestic tourists.
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