G-20 casts spotlight on Bali's tourism revival

World leaders and other dignitaries are traveling to Bali for the G-20 summit, drawing a welcome spotlight on the revival of the tropical island's vital tourism sector.

Tourism is the main source of income in a place that is home to more than 4 million people, who are mainly Hindu in the mostly Muslim archipelago nation.

The island's economy contracted 9.3% in 2020 from the year before and again contracted nearly 2.5% year-on-year in 2021. The reopening of Bali's airport to international flights and now the thousands coming for the G-20 summit and other related events has raised hopes for a stronger turnaround. More than 1.5 million foreign tourists had visited Bali as of October this year. The recovery will likely take time, even if COVID-19 is kept at bay.