New Era Of Tourism In Bali Has Big Benefits For Visitors

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Bali is currently hosting the International Tourism Investment Forum in the super luxurious resort of Nusa Dua.

The conference is an opportunity for business leaders and the government to come together to discuss the future of tourism in Bali.

These decision-makers are putting the needs and wants of tourists front and center in this new era, and it’ll bring great benefits for visitors to the island.

Indonesia’s Minster for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, spoke to the media after the opening day of the conference.

He was joined by the Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Arcana Sukawati, who is more often known by his nickname Cok Ace. 

Minster Uno shared his vision for tourism in Bali in this new, post-pandemic era.

He explained, “we believe that investment after Covid-19 will prioritize [tourism] investment that is personalized, localized, has bigger impact but smaller size. Apart from that, this investment refers to green investment, and this is the future of our economy.”

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Moving forward, the tourism health and cleanliness protocols as established during the pandemic will become the baseline for tourism experiences in the country.

The Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) Protocols that were developed during the pandemic will remain part of the regulations that high-quality tourism operations, such as hotels, restaurants, and attractions, must adhere to. 

Minster Uno wants Indonesia, and Bali especially, to think big when it comes to future tourism plans.

He said, “We have to think outside the box in developing existing tourism potential. Because tourism is not a problem, tourism is part of the post-pandemic economic solution.”

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With this in mind, Minster Uno wants to encourage more ‘green’ tourism investment in Bali. He said moving forward, “we will focus on green tourism, sustainable tourism.

This activity is in line with Bali having culture-based quality, dignified and sustainable tourism.”

To which the Minster was referencing the Bali Provincial government and Bali Tourism Office’s recent commitment to developing ‘dignified and culturally respectful’ tourism on the island following a rise in unruly behavior by a small but significant minority.

So what might this new era of greener, more sustainable, more culture-focused tourism look like for tourists planning their visits to Bali?

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Fewer Crowds 

While Bali will remain a hugely popular mass tourism destination for many years to come, the effort to prioritize more sustainable tourism will see visitors encouraged to explore lesser-visited parts of the island.

There is already growing pressure in Bali to more evenly distribute tourism investment away from the already bustling resort towns of the south, like Kuta, Sanur, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu.

This, in turn, alongside plans to improve fracture across the island, will result in fewer crowds and/or improvement management at key tourism attractions. 

Minister Uno wants to see highly impactful investment into smaller-scale initiatives that give tourists a more intimate experience and enable them to truly connect with the places where they visit. 

More Nature Conservation

Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster has committed to ensuring that tourism on the island uplifts culture and protects the natural wonders of the island.

The Governor recently announced that a new tourism tax will be introduced in mid-2024.

Tourism leaders and politicians are already calling on these tax funds to be used to protect the island’s environment, whether that be through improving waste management systems or protecting iconic landscapes.

Guilt Free Travel

Tourists are ever more aware of the impact of their travels on the environment and the climate. Bali’s new era of sustainable tourism, supported by ‘green’ investment, will help tourists feel more comfortable about traveling abroad. 

Tourism management will shift towards more environmentally sustainable practices as standard, which means that tourists can rest assured that their vacation is minimizing negative impact.

Genuine Cultural Immersion 

Bali has a rich cultural heritage that tourism leaders want to see promoted and appreciated. This new era of tourism in Bali will see cultural connection play a key role in the vacation experience.

Whether this means visiting a temple, attending a cultural show, or visiting the famous rice terraces and learning more about rural life on the island, tourists can look forward to being encouraged to connect with Bali in a more meaningful and memorable way.