Leaders Commit To Improving Connectivity To North Bali For Tourists

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Leaders are seeking to encourage tourists to explore Bali in new ways.

With the south of the island on the brink of over tourism, and lesser visited regions of the island crying out for visitors there is one thing standing in the way of success and that is connectivity.

Leaders are committing to improving connectivity with Bali’s lesser-visited regions to make better travel experiences possible. 

Indonesia’s Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, has pledged his commitment to supporting the development of more tourism in the north and west of the province.

He acknowledged that more needs to be done to help tourists access all the incredible destinations the region has to offer, whether that be the waterfalls of Munduk, Lovina Beach, or West Bali National Park. 

@bali_buddies Have you ever visited this part of Bali? 💁🏽‍♀️ There is a lot known by tousits about the South of Bali…but did you jniw there are parts of Bali where it’s cool enough to sit by a fire in the evening, and where you are above the clouds? ☁️ 🔥 🪵 Discover our full Bali Itinerary Planner 👆🏼 #fyp #bali #baliholiday #balitips #munduk #baliindonesia #baliitinerary #baliinsider ♬ Lullaby for Erik – Evgeny Grinko

Minister Uno said, “One of the reasons for going to Buleleng is accessibility, in addition to the long distance and poor infrastructure. This affects it, especially since their visit is short. Of course, they will choose a place close to the airport, namely South Bali.” 

He added, “After the COVID-19 pandemic, Bali experienced rapid growth. In the first half of 2024, the number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia reached 6,413,201 visits, of which 2,911,135 foreign tourists, or 45.39 percent of them, entered Bali.”

“The number of foreign tourists visiting Bali has now exceeded 2019 or before the pandemic, which was 2,855,782 visits.”

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He confirmed that he will support teams in developing better connectivity from south to north Bali and from central to west Bali, as well as in marketing destinations in these areas.

Minister Uno said, “I am very happy to immediately realize how the promotion of North Bali, especially Buleleng, can be increased because if there is news, there will be interest from tourists and stakeholders.”

Minister Uno revealed that travel agents will soon be offering a guided tour package that will visit Pemuteran in North Bali, Ijen, and Bromo in Java before returning to Bali’s Pemuteran.

Ijen in East Java is best known as the home of Mount Ijen, an active volcano with blue flames and a pure caldera lake. Mount Bromo is one of the most famous and active volcanoes in Indonesia.

@lifesmine_ 2 Options to get to Mt. ijen – Cheapest option is the individual tour or you can join a organised trip – sadly it is not allowed to see the blue fire at the moment but this allows you to do the Mt Ijen tour in your own – So Option 1 is to hire a driver and find some people to share the car costs with (ask at your accommodation). You have to organise gas mask and torches though. Ask at your accommodation or get them at the tourist counter at My IJen – The gate to the path opens at 4 so being there much earlier is not necessary. The path to the crater is straight ahead, no chance to get lost but it’s more challenging than I thought. In a way that it’s very steep most of the time – Option 2 is to join a shared group. Don’t book it online because you pay double the prices. We booked it though a local provider with our accommodation and payed 21€ #indonesia#travelinsonesia#java#jawa#mtijen#ijen#ihencrater#howtovisitmtijen#howto#traveltipps#southeastasia#mtijenhack ♬ Another Love – 𝐏𝐌𝐕

There has long been talk about connecting West Bali and East Java as travel destinations to offer tourists the chance to visit an even more diverse range of destinations during their vacation or backpacking trip in Indonesia. 

Speaking to reporters this week, the Buleleng Regency Regional Secretary, Gede Suyasa, backed Minster Uno’s commitments to improving connectivity across Bali.

He said, “This is something that the central and provincial governments may need to pay attention to so that accessibility to the Buleleng area can be smoother and faster.”

He added, “If there are a lot of tourist visits, I’m sure the arrangement in Buleleng will be much bigger because so far, we have tried to protect the beaches, protect the forests, protect the environment, our forests, and even our villages are also [protected] at the national level”

“But for example, visits remain low. Then, of course, the cost of residents’ income for operational costs [of tourism projects] is also constrained.”

Speaking separately, Gede Dody Sukma Aktiva Askara, Head of the Buleleng Regency Tourism Office, shared some concrete steps for improving connectivity.

He explained, “Of course, we hope that there will be faster accessibility. Currently, what is called a toll road, which is in progress, is the Gilimanuk-Mengwi Toll Road; later, this can speed things up.”

Construction on the Gilimanuk-Mengwi Toll Road will resume in September. 

He continued, “Then, to speed up our accessibility in North Bali, also from a land transportation perspective, a shortcut road has been built from Bedugul to the city of Singaraja in the Lovina area.”

“The curves on the winding road have been trimmed, and some of the curves have been cut from 16 curves to 5 curves. This will continue until it is built. Hopefully, it will be sustainable so that passengers don’t get dizzy [driving between] Singaraja City.”