Bali Tourism Leaders Call For Contentious Cliffside Elevator Project To Be Restarted 

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Tourism leaders in Bali are calling on the Provincial Government to grant permission for construction to be resumed on the highly contentious Kelingking Beach Glass Elevator Project in Nusa Penida.

The project was halted earlier this month because the Provincial Government deemed that it was breaking the conditions of its permits and licenses. 

The 182m Kelingking Beach Glass Elevator Project is one of the most contentious tourism development initiatives to be given the go-ahead in Bali in recent years. The project involves building an elevator shaft, along with a series of viewing stations, down the entire length of the Kelingking Beach cliff face. 

Kelingking Beach is one of Indonesia’s most famous vistas and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the world. Many Bali lovers have been vocal in their criticism of the project, both in terms of its environmental impact and its alignment with Bali’s commitment to culturally respectful tourism.

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Following renewed concerns from local businesses and local political figures, the Kelingking Beach Glass Elevator Project was investigated for its permits and licenses. As a result of the findings, construction on the project was suspended with immediate effect.

The Head of the Special Committee on Spatial Affairs, Assess, and Permits, Made Supartha, confirmed the suspension orders to the media. He confirmed that the project had violated Law No.26 of 2007 on Spatial Planning. Supartha explained, “The Bali Municipal police will ensure that no construction activities continue here.”

While this suspension in development was met with approval from many who wished that the project had never been given permission to start, others in Bali are now fearing that the Kelingking Beach Glass Elevator Project now risks becoming another abandoned initiative, with the half-built elevator shaft having already irreversibly impacted the viewpoint forever. 

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Speaking to reporters, the Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Klungkung Regency, Putu Darmaya, shared, “This glass elevator is about 70 percent complete. If the uncertainty continues, investors could abandon the project, while the community will only suffer the negative impacts.”

The project is being backed by a Chinese investment firm, which secured approval from many communities in Nusa Penida, and the initiative has promised to provide a hugely positive impact for the local economy. 

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With over IDR 200 billion already invested in the project, Darmaya wants to see the project come to fruition, at least to prove to future investors that Bali can get megaprojects over the line.

He shared, “Attracting such substantial investment is not easy. Many investors only own land and lack the courage to build in Nusa Penida. Meanwhile, the Glass Elevator investor has demonstrated concrete action, and that should be commended.”

He acknowledged the concerns of those who oppose the project but was clear in his stance that a solutions-oriented approach should be adopted, rather than abandoning the project at this juncture.

Darmaya shared, “If it obstructs the beach view, the poles can be cut in half, and a more environmentally friendly access road can be created. If the color is too striking, it can be adjusted to blend in with the surrounding natural colors.” 

Nusa Penida is quickly becoming one of Bali’s top tourism destinations. The outlying island is the largest of Bali’s three Nusa Islands, completed by Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

Demand for tourism experiences in Nusa Penida has soared since borders reopened after the pandemic.

Thousands of tourists depart from Bali every morning to enjoy a whistle-stop day tour of Nusa Penida, before catching the fast boat back to Sanur or Padangbai in the evening.

Alongside the Kelingking Beach viewpoint, top attractions and activities in Nusa Penida include diving with manta rays and taking the coastal hike down to Diamond Beach.