Bali To Introduce New Legislation To Curb Tourism Development

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Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, has announced plans to create new policies that will help curb rampant tourism development across Bali.

Minister Uno has long been a proponent of sustainable tourism across the county, and new policies will specifically focus on the conversion of productive agricultural land to tourism development. 

Minister Uno has confirmed that he is formulating new policies that will be held as a moratorium on hotel construction in Bali.

He and many tourism stakeholders in Bali want to see the conservation of ancient community-owned land and agricultural land converted for commercial use.

The policies will have a province-wide impact but are focused on saving the remaining farmland in South Bali. 

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Minister Uno spoke at the International Tourism Quality Conference in Bali’s Sanur on Friday, 30th August 2024.

He explained, “The policy that the government will soon finalize is due to the potential for overcrowding that will create an unsafe and uncomfortable situation, especially in several destinations in Indonesia.”

The Tourism Minister has not released huge amounts of details about the new policy as the legislation is still being drawn up.

He has, however, noted his concerns that many tourism accommodation facilities, such as newly built resorts and hotels, are not making adequate considerations for the environment and long-term sustainability. 

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Minister Uno has confirmed that the draft policy is nearly completed and will be tabled during a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in the coming days.

Minister Uno explained, “Together with the President, it will be decided as a concrete step to ensure quality Indonesian tourism can open up business opportunities and employment.”

He added, “There are several actions that are now being finalized policies that are to be immediately completed by the government, especially seeing the potential for [tourism] congestion, which really makes the situation unsafe and uncomfortable, especially in several destinations in Indonesia, namely in South Bali.”

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He specified that the new policies will be oriented toward ensuring that Balis’ biggest tourism resorts in Denpasar City, Badung Regency, Gianyar Regency, and Tabanan Regency, together referred to as Sarbagita, avoid the pitfalls of overtourism. 

Minister Uno said, “Sabargita is what we will focus on, but of course, we have to dissect it again because not all of South Bali is the same; maybe Badung is different from Tabanan. We will formulate it later.”

The policies will ensure better control over the conversion of agricultural land into commercial land and mandate more sustainability in tourism developments.

Minister Uno was clear that the new policy would help ensure that tourism in Bali is culturally respectful and sustainable. He added “We also ensure that quality jobs are still created so that income for the community, especially in Bali, can increase their welfare.”

The new policy will be the first in a proposed series of steps to help halt Bali on its rapid trajectory toward over-tourism.

Minister Uno explained, “So to anticipate that Bali does not [enter] over-tourism, we must take firm steps with a straightforward policy.”

“So that the problem of garbage management, violation of the law by tourists, and the increase in the burden of living expenses for the community and workers who are illegally taken from their jobs by foreign citizens can be stopped, I am sure that what is now being worried about [like has] happened in several places in Europe.”

Minister Uno used the analogy of a ring car to illustrate the steps that need to be taken to preserve Bali for generations to come.

He concluded, “This is the brake gas and the clutch. The clutch changed its teeth. If, for example, we see an impact that is too heavy, of course, we have to brake later. If, for example, we need a moving economy, we will be gas, so we will continue to evaluate this policy mix every three to six months to see the impact.

“As of today, the target (visits) of around 9-14 million can still be achieved because the results until June this year show strong numbers, and the increase is significant; we believe we can reach the number of 12-13 million.”