Indonesia plans to stop the construction of hotels, nightclubs and villas in the popular resort of Bali. The measure is taken with the aim of reducing traffic jams, over-building and preserving agricultural land against the backdrop of growing tourism.
A ban has been imposed in four busy areas of the island: Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan. The moratorium can last up to 10 years, but the government will have the final say. It will be aimed at combating the excessive development of the island for commercial purposes, mainly the construction of hotels, villas and beach clubs.
The number of foreign tourists to Bali has increased since the island reopened to tourists after the poronachirusa pandemic. According to government data, 3.89 million foreign travelers visited Bali from January to July 2024. compared to 2.9 million in the same period last year. Bali is home to around 4.4 million permanent residents.
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said the government has agreed to a construction moratorium policy that is being developed.
The government is finalizing policies to address potential over-building that could create unsafe and inhospitable conditions.
Krishna Dinata, executive director of the Bali branch of environmental group Walhi, said discussions about a moratorium on the construction of hotels and villas in Bali should have started long ago.
„Bali is too built up at the moment,”, he said. Tourism has taken a significant toll on Bali. The clearest indicator of this is that many green spaces have already been converted into buildings.
Last year there were 541 operating hotels in Bali, up from 249 10 years ago.
Stopping the construction of new hotels and villas will be an important step towards protecting Bali's ecological landscape, but must also be accompanied by efforts to restore the damaged environment and comply with strict environmental regulations.
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