BALINEWSID.COM – Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali held a discussion with the Consulate-General of China in Bali on Thursday (March 12) to review the development of the Chinese tourist market to Bali and address several challenges currently facing the tourism industry.

ASITA Bali Chairman Putu Winastra said one of the key concerns raised by the Chinese Consulate was the safety and comfort standards of tourism products in Bali, particularly in the hotel and restaurant sectors. According to him, a clear certification system is necessary to ensure standardized service and product quality across the island’s tourism industry.

“The Consulate-General is paying attention to the safety and comfort standards of tourism products in Bali, especially hotels and restaurants. Therefore, certification is needed to ensure proper service and product standardization,” Winastra said.

During the meeting, licensing and insurance requirements for tourists were also discussed. Winastra noted that the Chinese Consulate expects the Indonesian government to ensure that visiting tourists are properly covered by travel insurance.

“If there are tourists who do not have insurance, ideally they should not be allowed to enter. This is actually a good step to ensure protection for visitors,” he explained.

Another issue highlighted was vehicle and motorcycle rentals for tourists. Winastra emphasized that rental services should only be provided to visitors who possess valid driving licenses.

“If tourists do not have a proper license, motorcycles or vehicles should not be rented out to them. This is important to maintain safety and order,” he said.

Winastra further stressed that certification standards and licensing are fundamental in maintaining the quality and reputation of Bali as a global tourism destination. He also underlined the importance of cooperation between tourism associations in Bali and Chinese authorities, particularly in terms of information exchange and updates.

As part of the collaboration, ASITA Bali plans to provide its member database to the Chinese Consulate to be displayed on its official website. The initiative is expected to help travel agents from China easily find verified local partners in Bali.

“ASITA will provide our member database to the Chinese Consulate so it can be displayed on their website. This will allow travel agencies from China to search for official local partners through ASITA. We also hope similar standardization will apply to tour guide associations,” Winastra added. (*)