Bali Enforces Hotel Construction Moratorium to Preserve Island's Culture

Indonesia has introduced a moratorium on constructing new hotels, villas, and nightclubs in certain areas of Bali. The policy aims to control over-development and protect the island's indigenous culture. The timeline for the moratorium is still under discussion, with potential enforcement lasting up to 10 years.

Indonesia has enacted a moratorium on the construction of hotels, villas, and nightclubs in specific areas of Bali, responding to concerns of over-development, a senior ministry official announced on Monday.

This initiative is part of a broader government effort to reform Bali's tourism sector. The goal is to enhance the quality of tourism, create jobs, and safeguard the island's unique cultural heritage. Hermin Esti from the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs confirmed that the government has approved the moratorium, although the precise timeline is yet to be finalized.

On Saturday, interim governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya proposed the moratorium for four busy regions of Bali, citing the need to curb commercial over-development. Senior Minister Luhut Pandjaitan mentioned that the moratorium might extend up to 10 years. Videos of unruly tourists have recently gone viral, sparking outrage among locals. Bali has seen a surge in foreign visitors, with 2.9 million arrivals in the first half of the year alone, emphasizing the urgency of the moratorium.

(With inputs from agencies.)