Indonesia Plans New Regulations to Tackle Bali's Overtourism Challenges

Indonesian officials are in the process of drafting new regulations to better manage the growing tourism industry in Bali. Local businesses in the tourism sector are also looking into international approaches to mitigate the risks associated with overtourism.

South Bali is approaching a critical point with rising visitor numbers, similar to other popular destinations around the world. These destinations provide valuable insights for Bali’s situation.

In Belgium, the city of Bruges has recently introduced measures to control short-term vacation rentals within its historic district. Furthermore, the city has put a halt to new hotel projects. These steps are intended to manage the increasing influx of tourists and prevent future complications.

In 2023, Bruges attracted over 8.2 million tourists, even though its population is only 120,000. Bali is facing a comparable situation with a steady increase in tourist numbers.

Addressing Common Concerns

Bruges’ Mayor, Dirk De Fauw, expressed the concerns of local residents about the rising number of visitors. He cautioned that without proper management, tourism could lead to significant challenges. Similarly, Bali residents are concerned about issues like traffic congestion caused by the high volume of tourists.

Unlike Bali, which primarily draws resort tourists, Bruges is a popular destination for day-trippers. Mayor De Fauw indicated that while he is reluctant to introduce a tax on day visitors, he remains open to considering similar strategies.

Although Bruges does not intend to impose access restrictions like those seen in Dubrovnik or Venice, the city’s infrastructure and community are still feeling the strain from the tourism surge. Sustainable management of tourism is essential to maintaining Bruges’ cultural heritage while keeping the city vibrant. Bali’s leadership is also seeking solutions that balance tourism growth with the quality of life for its residents.

Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism recently confirmed that new legislation is being prepared. This legislation will aim to protect community-owned and agricultural lands in Bali from being converted into tourism developments.

In February 2024, Bali introduced a tourism tax, but enforcement has proven difficult. About 60% of international visitors have not paid the tax. To improve compliance, the Bali Tourism Office is now conducting spot checks. The revenue from this tax will be used to support the island’s cultural, environmental, and infrastructure preservation efforts.

Last month, Minister Uno highlighted the anti-tourism protests in Barcelona as a warning for Bali. He stressed that Bali must take proactive steps to avoid similar dissatisfaction among its residents. While acknowledging tourism’s critical role in Bali’s economy, he pointed out that local unrest could have serious repercussions.

Minister Uno is also promoting less-visited areas of Bali to help distribute tourism more evenly. He is encouraging tourists to explore resorts in the northern and western parts of the island while working to improve transportation links across Bali.

The central government has also endorsed the construction of a toll road through Bali’s central region as part of its commitment to sustainable tourism.

Recently, Indonesia has signed agreements with several African nations to explore sustainable tourism models. As global cities continue to address overtourism, Bali is likely to adopt similar strategies in the future.