Indonesia Plans Major Reforms to Improve Tourism on Bali, Minister Says

Indonesia is set to reform tourism on the popular island of Bali to enhance the quality of tourism and protect local culture and jobs, according to a senior government official.

Luhut Pandjaitan, the senior minister overseeing tourism, announced on his Instagram page that the government would conduct an audit to address various issues brought about by the growing number of foreign residents and tourists on the island. Currently, around 200,000 foreigners live in Bali, contributing to problems such as crime, over-development, and competition for jobs.

“Foreign tourists who bring problems here, such as narcotics, gangs, and other issues, we can deport them from Indonesia, from Bali, and we don’t want them to enter Bali anymore,” Luhut stated in English in a video clip.

The influx of foreign visitors has surged since Bali reopened its borders after the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase has led to a rise in incidents involving misbehaving tourists, many of which go viral on social media, sparking outrage among local residents.

Statistics from Indonesia’s bureau show that 2.9 million foreign visitors arrived through Bali airport in the first half of this year, representing 65% of Indonesia’s total foreign arrivals by air during that period.

Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno has expressed the government’s desire to avoid a situation similar to that in Barcelona, where tourists were seen as public nuisances. The government also plans to address environmental issues, such as trash problems and over-development, to preserve Bali’s natural landscape.

“We don’t want to see paddy fields become a villa or become a nude club,” Luhut emphasized. “For us, quality is more important than numbers.”

Public nudity is illegal in Indonesia, and while there are no strip clubs in Bali, nightclubs and discos featuring in-house dancers do exist.

The Indonesian government is expected to announce a comprehensive policy plan for reforming Bali’s tourism in the coming weeks.