Bali Proposes Moratorium on Tourism-Related Construction to Preserve Culture

Bali's governor has suggested a moratorium on the construction of hotels, villas, and nightclubs for one to two years in areas such as Denpasar and Tabanan. The proposal aims to combat over-development and preserve the island's culture while boosting tourism quality and job opportunities.

In response to concerns about over-development, the government of Bali has proposed a one to two-year ban on constructing hotels, villas, and nightclubs in key areas. The plan aims to reform tourism on the island, renowned for its appeal, by enhancing tourism quality and job opportunities while preserving indigenous culture.

The moratorium would apply to the busy zones of Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan, targeting commercial facilities like beach clubs. Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, Bali's interim governor, emphasized the need for a reformative approach. 'We want to reform it,' he told the news website Detik, adding that the ban could last up to ten years.

Senior Minister Luhut Pandjaitan indicated the plan would be reviewed by the central government and noted that foreign residents contribute to issues like crime and job competition. Bali saw a surge in foreign arrivals, with 2.9 million visitors in the first half of the year.

(With inputs from agencies.)