Bali welcomes tourists with typical souvenirs for Chinese New Year

Balis entrepreneurs and craftsmen are ready to offer some unique and affordable souvenirs to foreign tourists who plan on celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year in the Island of God.

“Various typical Chinese New Year souvenirs are especially being offered to the tourists from China and Hong Kong,” Ni Nyoman Sukiati, a Balinese craftswoman, stated here on Thursday.

To welcome the upcoming Lunar Year 2016, various souvenirs, such as wall decorations, hanging lanterns bearing Chinese characters, and porcelain god statues are on sale at some supermarkets, shops, and tourism sites.

Sukiati believes that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Bali will increase following the implementation of the visa-free policy for several countries, including China.

“Chinese tourists, who spend their holidays here in Bali, will certainly want to buy some Balinese souvenirs,” she remarked.

Beside the Chinese souvenirs, Balinese craftsmen have created some unique and creative merchandise, such as bracelets, necklaces, and brooches, which are also considered as the main export commodities to be shipped to some destination countries such as the United States, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and Europe.

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Bali, the realization of non-oil products and handicrafts during 2015 reached US$498.6 million, a decrease of 7.02 percent compared to US$536.3 million in 2014.