The 29th of January 2025 will mark the beginning of the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year. The festival will be observed until 8th February, with some celebrations continuing through to 12th February. Chinese Indonesians are the fourth largest community in the Chinese diaspora, and the Lunar New Year is a big …
Local News
On Monday, 20th January, PARQ Ubud was formally closed down for business after the premises were issued temporary closure notices in November 2024. PARQ Ubud, a well-known residential and creative hub, was closed down by the authorities after it was found to have been developed against a series of business, construction, and environmental regulations. Andrej …
The Indonesian Ombudsman has committed to examining allegations that tourism is being mismanaged in the country, with a special focus on Bali and, even more specifically, the Bali Tourism Tax Levy, which was introduced on the 14th of February 2024. There are increasing concerns that the policy has not delivered the changes it promised. On …
Bali will be introducing a series of new policies that will help protect local taxi driver’s livelihoods. There will also be more strict enforcement of existing legislation. These updates will also have a knock-on effect on tourists and the public, hopefully for the better. Online taxi companies Grab and GoJek have agreed with the Bali …
A German tourist has been rapidly deported from Bali after he was apprehended by immigration officials after hiking Mount Agung without a guide. Although it has always been the case that hikers must hire a local guide in order to embark on the route, new legislation was brought into effect this month that makes it …
Construction teams have shared an update about what has been happening down at the Uluwatu Sea Wall project. The controversial project was initially cited as a way to help conserve the limestone cliffs around Uluwatu Temple from cracks, erosion, and potential collapse. Yet, many feel that the project has done more harm than good. According …
The topic of the impact of foreign investment in Bali is hot on everyone’s lips right now. As the incoming Governor and Deputy Governor prepare to start their term, there is a huge conversation happening around how best to control, and in some cases limit, the way in which international investors can operate businesses in …
Bali is on a mission to welcome at least 6.5 million international tourists in 2025. In order to achieve this, the Bali Province Tourism Office wants to highlight the island’s incredible lineup of events happening this year so that visitors can time their trips for extra special occasions. The Bali calendar of events for 2025 …
In November 2024, PARQ Ubud, a residential and lifestyle complex located just outside of central Ubud in Bali, was closed down by authorities on the grounds that the business was operating without the correct licenses and on suspicion of being constructed against building and environmental regulations. The business was given a period of grace to …
Spiritual leaders in Bali have been speaking to the media about the surge in demand from tourists for traditional Balinese melukat ceremonies. These deeply spiritual rituals are a form of water purification ceremony and date back for centuries. Yet, as interest in these practices grows, some fear that many tourists are simply taking part in …
Kuta Beach in Bali welcomes a huge amount of repair work to its beach walk and pavement areas after coastal erosion has destroyed long stretches of the public walkways. The local government had been waiting for high tides to recede before commencing work, and teams have started the repair work this week. The repair work …
It is nearly a year since Bali launched its Tourism Tax Levy policy, and new data shows that even fewer tourists are making the contribution than first thought. Figures from 2024 suggested that only 40% of tourists made their IDR 150,000 contribution, but now it seems as few as 35% of tourists are paying their …