New Leisure Cruise Puts Bali’s Lake Batur Set To Kickstart New Era Of Tourism In Kintamani 

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Bali’s Lake Batur is about to see a whole new era of tourism open up. Lake Batur and Kintamani have long been seen by tourists as the gateway to Mount Batur, but over the last five years, the surrounding areas have become increasingly interesting to international tourists. 

Hiking to the summit of Bali’s Mount Batur is one of the most famous bucket list activities for tourists. Adventurous explorers can hire a like guide and trek to the summit of the island’s highest peak to watch the sunrise almost every day of the year.

For many, Kintamani, the region in which Mount Batur sits, has been seen simply as a gateway to the hiking trails. However, over the last five years, Kintamani has seen a huge amount of investment in tourism development, which is now sparking a new era of tourism for Mount Batur and Kintamani more broadly. 

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One of the most famous landmarks in Kintamani is Lake Batur. The caldera lake holds as much spiritual significance for local communities as Mount Batur, and is poised to become the next major tourist destination in the area. While there are already numerous opportunities to connect with Lake Batur and explore its shorelines, including luxurious glamping spots and hot spring retreats, new developments and investments are expected to significantly increase demand for travel in this part of the world. 

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A new cruise ship experience will be launched at Lake Batur in the coming months. The new tourism program will be developed by the Perusda of Bangli Regency, PT Bhukit Mukti Bhakti (BMB), and a private investor from South Korea, PT GMS Invest International.

More details are expected to be revealed in the coming months, but the lake cruise ship is just the start and will be joined by other ‘tourism rides’. Initial updates from developers and investors show that the cruise ship and other infrastructure will be powered by renewable energy sources, such as hydrogen, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and solar energy.

Other rides and experiences set to be developed on and around Lake Batur include waterspouts, an electric tourist train tour, sky capsules, and rail bikes. 

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The Regent of Bangli, Sang Nyoman Sedana Arta, issued a written statement confirming the first details of the new collaboration and shared, “This is proof that Bangli has an attractive potential for investors.” The President Director of PT BMB Anak Agung Wibawa Putra revealed that the recently signed MoU will be a more concrete foundation for cooperation.

He noted that through the support of the partnership, Bangli Regency can develop a range of strategic projects that will increase regional competitiveness within tourism and the business sector, as has been the vision for regency leaders for many years. 

Regent Arta shared, “With foreign capital investment for this project, we, as the party who initiated, will form a consortium with Kanavi Mobility Co Ltd to carry out this project with GMS.”

The President Director of Kanavi Mobility, Song Gi-men, shared his vision with reporters that Bali’s Bangli Regency has great potential, especially in the tourism sector. He noted, “We see a great opportunity to invest in Bangli. We are committed to giving a positive contribution to the development of this area.”

While many are feeling positive about the prospect of development in and around Lake Batur, some Bali Senators are urging that development be carried out cautiously and in alignment with Balinese cultural philosophies and environmental protection as a top priority.

The Chairman of the Bangli Regency DPRD, Komang Carles, told reporters that he wants to see more focus from local leadership on environmental and social impact, not only growth and economics.

He firmly called on all involved in this initiative to hold the Balinese philosophy at Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali at the front of their minds, and to prioritize the preservation of the sanctity of the lake, the mountains, the spring water, and respect local indigenous communities whose lives and livelihoods are intimately connected with the landscape. 

Carles told reporters, “This concerns the sanctity of the lake; the government must also ask for opinions from traditional and religious figures in the Lake Batur area.”

He added, “In Lake Batur, so far, there have been tourist boats operating by local residents. How will this continue? This must be considered. In principle, before this MoU is implemented. Please, each element [of the MoU], one by one, must be detailed. If investors do not want to implement it [correctly], it is better not to.”