I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali stands as one of Indonesia’s most active travel hubs, managing a monthly influx of over 2.2 million passengers. To handle this significant traffic, local authorities are continuously improving the airport experience's efficiency and convenience.
In addition, Indonesian government officials are exploring ways to make flights more affordable for both domestic and international passengers.
Recently, the airport rolled out a series of new autogates designed to speed up the arrival and departure processes for tourists. The initial set of these autogates was introduced earlier this year in the international terminals, and there are plans to further expand their use to enhance Bali’s immigration services.
Ngurah Rai Suhendra, the Head of the TPI Class I Immigration Office, highlighted that with 60 autogates now operational, the airport has the capability to process over 120 passengers per minute. An additional 30 autogates have recently been installed, bringing the total to 60, with 20 more expected to be operational by the end of the month, resulting in a total of 80 gates across the airport terminals.
These autogates are available to international travelers with electronic passports, those arriving on an e-visa on arrival, holders of any e-visa category, KITAS or KITAP holders, and travelers from visa-exempt countries such as ASEAN nations. Tourists are advised to apply for their e-VOA before arriving in Indonesia, which is valid for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days, all through an online process. The e-VOA and VOA are available to travelers from 97 countries and are priced at IDR 500,000.
The automated system allows travelers to complete standard immigration procedures, including stamping in and out of the country, in just 20-30 seconds. Designed to reduce wait times, even during peak travel periods, this system complements the work of immigration officers, rather than replacing them.
The expansion of digitalized immigration and travel services is part of broader efforts to make travel to Bali more convenient and to keep it affordable.
Recently, the Indonesian Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, visited Bali and voiced his support for a proposed policy to eliminate certain flight taxes, aiming to lower overall travel costs. He pointed out that these taxes contribute to high ticket prices and limit options for travelers flying to and from Bali, as well as for domestic flights. Minister Uno is also keen on encouraging tourists to explore other regions of Indonesia during their visits.
However, Minister Uno acknowledged that removing flight taxes would require finding alternative revenue sources to compensate for the loss. He suggested that a mix of policies could be developed to balance the loss while potentially boosting state income through increased domestic tourism.
The Minister for Investment and Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, also announced plans to work with airlines and transportation authorities to reduce flight costs or introduce subsidies to counter the rising costs of air travel. His team is currently evaluating aircraft operating costs as part of these efforts.
Impact on Bali’s Rental Property Market
The recent improvements at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport are expected to positively impact the Bali rental property market. As the airport streamlines the immigration process and makes travel more affordable, it becomes more attractive and convenient for tourists to visit the island. This could lead to an increase in demand for rental accommodations, such as Bali villas.
For those seeking to rent a villa in Bali, the improved ease of travel could result in more frequent and longer stays, which would benefit property owners and rental agencies. The influx of visitors, driven by a seamless travel experience and reduced airfare, could lead to higher occupancy rates and potentially increased rental income for those involved in Bali’s rental property market. As Bali continues to enhance its infrastructure and accessibility, investing in Bali villas for rent becomes an increasingly attractive option for both short-term tourists and long-term renters alike.
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