HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
Indonesia has announced plans to impose a moratorium on the construction of hotels, villas, and nightclubs in certain areas of Bali, as the island faces increasing concerns over land overdevelopment. The decision, confirmed by a senior official on September 9, is part of the government’s broader effort to reform tourism on the popular resort island by promoting sustainable development and preserving Bali’s indigenous culture.
Hermin Esti, a senior official at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs, stated that the moratorium has been agreed upon, although the exact timeline for implementation is still under discussion.
Bali’s interim governor, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, recently proposed the moratorium in four of Bali’s busiest areas to the central government, aiming to curb excessive commercial development, including hotels, villas, and beach clubs.
Senior minister Luhut Pandjaitan indicated that the moratorium could extend for up to 10 years. He has previously raised concerns about the impact of overdevelopment, crime, and job competition on the island, noting that around 200,000 foreigners currently reside in Bali.
Since reopening for tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, Bali has seen a surge in foreign visitors, with 2.9 million arriving through Bali airport in the first half of this year, representing 65% of all foreign arrivals to Indonesia by air. There are currently 541 hotels on the island, up from 507 in 2019.
The governor’s office and Indonesia’s tourism ministry have not yet commented on the proposed moratorium.
Source: Reuters
