Bali Scraps Plans for Hotel Building Ban Designed to Combat Overtourism

Bali is reversing course on plans to ban the development of new hotels, beach clubs and commercial tourism properties in some of its busiest tourism areas.

The proposal included pausing development in places like Canggu, Uluwatu, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua.
Bali’s incoming governor, however, has different plans.

Governor Wayan Koster has announced that he will not bring any such moratorium into effect, according to The Bali Sun.

Koster has told the local media that he doesn’t believe there is a need for a moratorium on tourism development across Bali’s popular tourism hotspots.

If it had proceeded, the policy was set to take effect in October 2024 and would have remained in place for just one or two years. Though it would have had the potential to be extended for as long as 10 years if the measure appeared to be working well.

However, the plan was initially tabled by outgoing Indonesian Minister for Tourism, Sandiaga Uno, and Minister for Investment and Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, The Bali Sun reports.

When proposed, the measure designed to help the island address serious challenges with overtourism, was backed by some of Bali’s most high-profile leaders. That included Acting Governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, and the Chairman of Bali Tourism Board (BTB), Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana.

Despite what The Bali Sun describes as “rampant overtourism,” Koster maintains the proposed ban is not needed.
At a recent press event, Koster said the reason the ban is not needed is because there are already strict controls in place.

This turn of events is a disappointment to those who feel that although there are regional regulations in place that are supposed to help control tourism and commercial development, few are strictly enforced and “there is something of a construction free-for-all developing in the most in-demand resort areas,” The Bali Sun reported.

Meanwhile, Koster has suggested he will enforce stricter controls on the measures already in place, rather then enact a new policy banning building altogether. Koster did not indicate which existing polices could be enforced more strictly.

The chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, who had backed the building moratorium, said the measure would have been useful, according to The Bali Sun.

“The licensing moratorium in South Bali is needed to overcome several challenges that arise due to rapid development, especially in the hotel and accommodation sector.” Adnyana said.

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