Bali contemplating a prohibition on newly constructed hotels due to challenges related to excessive tourism.
The pause is part of the administration's endeavor to revamp tourism on Bali, a popular draw in Indonesia, aiming to enhance quality and create jobs while maintaining the island's native heritage.
Hermin Esti, a high-ranking officer at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs, shared with Reuters that the administration has consented to implement this pause, though the specific duration is yet to be finalized.
On Saturday, Bali's interim governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya proposed the pause in four of Bali's bustling zones to the central government. The purpose was to curb excessive development for commercial purpose, including establishments like hotels, villas, and beach clubs.
Neither Bali's governor's office nor Indonesia's tourism ministry issued a statement regarding this proposal on Monday.
According to senior minister Luhut Pandjaitan, as reported by news site Detik on September 8, the pause might extend up to a decade.
Luhut previously stated that around 200,000 foreigners reside in Bali, causing issues such as crime, over-development, and job competition.
Following Bali's reopening for tourism post-COVID-19 pandemic, foreign visitor arrivals have significantly increased. Clips of misconduct by tourists frequently become viral, infuriating locals and sparking intense backlash from Indonesian social media users.
Official statistics show that 2.9 million international travelers visited Bali through its airport during the first half of the year, making up 65% of overall international air travelers to Indonesia.
Data reveals that there were 541 hotels in Bali in the previous year, marking an increase from 507 in 2019.
The news of the potential tourism pause in Bali has sparked interest among travelers, causing some to postpone their plans. The proposal aims to manage excessive development and preserve the island's rich heritage.
Read also:
- Fear of escalation in the Middle East: US Secretary of State Blinken travels to the region again
- Government circles: US Secretary of State Blinken to travel to Middle East again
- Bridging days 2024: How you can double your vacation this year
- Germany has wanderlust: how tour operators and airlines are looking ahead to the next travel year
