Hotel Nikko Bali Benoa Beach is steadily adapting to Indonesia’s new norms post-pandemic. The property’s general manager, Masaya Hasebe, recounts to TTG exclusively what the past months have entailed for the archipelago and its travel industry
TTG: Please share with us some of the latest updates on Indonesia’s tourism industry.
Indonesia’s international border is [anticipated to] be closed until the end of year, and currently striving on domestic travel. To revive domestic travel, Bali has reopened for domestic tourists since July 31, and the Government has initiated to offer free tours and staycations to 4,440 residents of its resort island between October 7 and November 27, to promote the international holiday hotspot and test its health protocols. The trips will include local tours and the participants are required to promote ‘New Normal Bali’ on social media to encourage a safe mindset of travel. Digital Nomads and Medical Tourism within the country are also expected to stipulate the demand of staycation.
TTG: What are some of the most pivotal adaptations your company has had to endure during this unprecedented period?
We have taken this opportunity to refresh and upgrade our property, as well as minimising the fixed cost by reviewing outsourced services and contracting staff to reassign multi tasks beyond departments. Additionally, we have launched new catering services to adapt new normal lifestyles, such as food delivery from our favourite outlets; and ‘Nikko Home Indulgence’, which offers including massages, haircuts, a private chef, romantic dinners, house cleaning and many other hotel services to their residents. Also, we have introduced our beachfront venues as resort coworking space to accommodate digital nomads and the needs of remote working environments. For unpredictable future bookings, we are offering a Resort Credit Bonus voucher, instead of the ‘Book Now Stay Later’ campaign, to guarantee the benefits compared to fluctuated rates, where holidaymakers will save more by purchasing long-lasting credits for all hotel services and have the flexibility to keep any remaining balance for future use.
TTG: What are some of your main strategies for the revival of tourism numbers? What measures will you implement to lure back travellers?
We believe it’s not the price component that drives business or what travellers expect, but more of our commitment to ensure the cleanliness and safety measures, as well as new health protocols are in place. We have partnered with Diversey, a world leading company specialising in professional cleaning and hygiene solutions, and Bali International Medical Centre Siloam (BIMC Hospital), the first hospital in Indonesia to be accredited by the Australian Council of Healthcare Standard International, to create a comprehensive Cleanliness, Health, and Safety Program and maintain our standard for the new safety requirements. We are also working with BIMC Hospital to provide rapid PCR tests at a designated place in the hotel for any guests, as a part of their travel requirement, so they don’t need to visit the hospital during their stay.
TTG: What are some of your current source markets and what markets will you be targeting in the future?
Our current main source markets are Australia, China, and Indonesia. We will continue to target those countries, however, we will focus on cultivating South East Asia, Japan and Taiwan markets to hedge a risk of nationality mix.
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