The Indonesian government is deliberating a proposal to halt the construction of new hotels, villas, and nightclubs in several bustling regions of Bali in an effort to combat the island’s overdevelopment. According to Hermin Esti, a senior official from the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs, the moratorium has been agreed to in principle. However, discussions regarding its implementation timeline are still ongoing.
The interim governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, had initially suggested the ban in four of Bali’s busiest areas. The potential duration of the freeze could extend up to 10 years, as indicated by senior minister Luhut Pandjaitan. Speaking to local news outlet Detik, Luhut stressed the growing concerns surrounding foreign tourism and its impact on Bali. In a public statement, he expressed his frustration about foreign tourists bringing “narcotics, gangs, and various issues” to the island, further stating, “We don’t want them to enter Bali anymore”.
As the number of tourists continues to soar following the COVID-19 pandemic, Bali has struggled to manage the influx. It is reported that over 200,000 foreigners are currently residing on the island, contributing to mounting pressure on local infrastructure and resources.
According to government data, in the first half of this year alone, some 2.9 million foreign tourists arrived via Bali’s airport, accounting for 65% of Indonesia’s total air traffic arrivals. With the island’s hotel sector expanding, the number of hotels rose from 507 in 2019 to 541 last year, further exacerbating concerns about overdevelopment and its sustainability.
Bali’s authorities have long struggled to balance tourism growth and the protection of its natural environment and cultural heritage. If the moratorium is enforced, it could signal a shift in how the island approaches tourism and development, prioritising quality over quantity to preserve its unique charm.
