Worried about the growing pressure on the popular resort of Bali, Indonesian authorities are planning a moratorium on the construction of hotels, nightclubs and villas. The goal is to ease congestion on the island caused by a boom in tourism since the pandemic and to preserve valuable agricultural land. The moratorium could last up to 10 years, depending on the government’s assessment of the situation, according to Luhut Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment.
Acting Bali Governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya has proposed that the central government suspend construction in four busy areas: Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan. The move comes as a response to the need to curb excessive commercial development that threatens the island’s unique ecosystem. Indeed, the number of foreign tourists to Bali has increased sharply since the resumption of tourism, reaching 3.89 million in the first seven months of 2023. This is a significant burden on an island with a population of only about 4.4 million.
The construction moratorium is therefore intended to ensure a more balanced and sustainable development of tourism in Bali, preserving its natural wealth and cultural heritage for future generations. The duration of the moratorium will be determined by the results of the assessment, but its goal is to lay the foundation for quality tourism that does not come at the expense of the local ecosystem and the island’s residents.
Indonesia, especially the island of Bali, is facing the problem of some tourists behaving in a negative way, which has caused discontent among locals and has been widely discussed on social media. Videos of troublemakers disrespecting local traditions and norms are quickly shared online, damaging the country’s image as a popular tourist destination. In 2022, about 340 foreigners were deported from Bali for various violations, including visa violations, illegal labor activities, and disrespectful behavior at sacred sites.
In response to this situation, the Indonesian government, according to Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiag Uno, is developing a construction moratorium policy, which is currently under development, according to state news agency Antara. The measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to not only developing the tourism sector, but also ensuring sustainable and respectful tourism that does not harm local culture and nature.
Indonesia is concerned about the potential for overdevelopment in Bali, which could negatively affect the safety and comfort of residents and tourists. The government is in the process of developing a policy to address this issue, but the timeframe for its implementation has not yet been determined. The authorities emphasize that the priority is to ensure high quality tourism, create jobs and a favorable environment for business.
However, as environmentalists note, the discussion of a moratorium on the construction of hotels and villas on the island is long overdue. Bali, according to experts, has already been rebuilt, and tourism has caused significant damage to it. Green areas are actively built up, which leads to environmental problems. The number of hotels on the island has increased significantly over the past ten years, and illegal construction of villas by foreign investors without appropriate permits is aggravating the situation.
Interim Governor of Bali Mahendra emphasized the need to control the issuance of construction permits to prevent the conversion of rice fields into villas. In addition, the inappropriate behavior of some foreign tourists has also become one of the factors that prompted the need to introduce new regulations. The situation requires urgent action to preserve the unique nature and ecology of Bali, as well as to ensure sustainable development of tourism.
