Crisis In Bali's Paradise: The COVID-19 Impact

Summary

Bali — usually a bustling tourism jewel — lies eerily quiet as the pandemic wipes out visitors and livelihoods. The film follows human stories: Tanjong Sari, a 1962 hotel, temporarily closed after 58 years and sent 105 staff home; longtime employees and loyal guests struggle emotionally and financially. Musicians, chefs, farmers and suppliers pivot to street food, small markets or idle gardens as orders vanish. Restaurateurs and hotel workers wrestle with uncertainty: when will international flights resume and tourists return? The piece captures economic devastation, resilience and the fragile hope that recovery will hinge on airlines, borders and renewed traveler confidence.

Takeaways

• 🏝️ Bali, one of the world's most famous tourist destinations, has become unusually quiet due to the global pandemic's impact on tourism.
• 💼 Thousands of people working in Bali’s tourism industry have lost their jobs as hotels and resorts were forced to close temporarily.
• 🏨 The Tanjong Sari Hotel, built in 1962 and one of Bali’s oldest hotels, has shut down operations for the first time in its 58-year history.
• 😔 The hotel has asked most of its 105 staff to stay home without work or pay, many of whom have served there for decades.
• 💖 Guests of Tanjong Sari maintain strong emotional ties with the staff, with one guest donating $10,000 to support them during this crisis.
• 🎹 Pianist Dodo Sumantra Mojo, who once performed at hotels and venues across Bali, lost his income and now helps his wife sell chicken noodles to survive.
• 🌾 Local farmers and suppliers, such as those providing fruits, vegetables, and spices to hotels, have also been severely affected due to the halt in restaurant and hotel demand.
• 🍜 Long-time Bali restaurateurs Nia and Mooney, who opened their first restaurant in 1974 in Ubud, have shifted to online sales to support their staff and families.
• ✈️ A major uncertainty remains around when international commercial flights will resume and when tourists will feel safe enough to return.
• 🌍 The pandemic has brought Bali’s tourism-reliant economy to a standstill, leaving the island facing one of its toughest economic challenges in decades.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the script?

The main theme of the script revolves around the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Bali's tourism industry, highlighting how local businesses and workers are struggling with the loss of income and the uncertainty of when the tourism sector will recover.

How long has the Tanjong Sari Hotel been operating?

The Tanjong Sari Hotel has been in operation since 1962, making it one of the oldest hotels on the island of Bali.

What challenges has Bali's tourism industry faced in the past?

Bali's tourism industry has previously faced challenges such as deadly terrorist attacks in the early 2000s, the outbreak of SARS, and eruptions of Mount Agung. However, the current pandemic is considered another major calamity affecting the economy.

What emotional connection do guests have with the Tanjong Sari Hotel?

Many guests of the Tanjong Sari Hotel return not only because of the hotel's amenities but also due to the emotional connection they have developed with the staff over the years, making it a unique experience for visitors.

How has the hotel staff been affected by the pandemic?

The hotel staff, which includes long-term employees, has been severely impacted by the lack of tourists. They were asked to stay at home since April, and their job security has been uncertain due to the ongoing crisis.

What gesture did a guest make to support the hotel staff?

One guest sent an email offering to donate $10,000 to support the hotel staff, demonstrating the deep emotional bond between the guests and the staff, and the guest's recognition of the staff as the hotel's key asset.

How has pianist Dodo Sumantra adjusted to the pandemic's impact on his livelihood?

Pianist Dodo Sumantra, who used to perform at hotels and other venues in Bali, has shifted to helping his wife sell chicken noodles in order to survive the financial hardships caused by the pandemic.

What has been the impact on the agricultural supply chain in Bali?

The agricultural supply chain in Bali has been significantly affected, with farms and gardens being left empty as there are practically no fresh orders from hotels and restaurants, leading to a loss of business for local farmers like Narnia, who supplies produce to these establishments.

What challenge does Nia and Mooney's restaurant face during the pandemic?

Nia and Mooney's restaurant, which opened in 1974 in Bali's cultural center, is facing difficulty in sustaining operations. They attempted to pivot by launching an online shop, but they are unsure when they will be able to reopen due to the uncertainty surrounding the tourism sector.

What uncertainty do local businesses face regarding the reopening of Bali's tourism industry?

Local businesses in Bali are uncertain about the timeline for reopening the tourism industry. Even if the government allows tourist destinations to reopen, it remains unclear when international flights will resume and whether tourists will return in large numbers.