By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
Indonesia is set to audit and reform tourism on the island of Bali to enhance the quality of tourism and safeguard local culture and employment, according to a senior government official. Luhut Pandjaitan, the minister overseeing tourism, announced on Friday that approximately 200,000 foreign residents currently living in Bali have contributed to issues such as crime, overdevelopment, and competition for local jobs.
In a video posted on his Instagram account, Luhut emphasized that foreign tourists who engage in problematic behavior, including drug use and gang activity, could face deportation and be permanently banned from re entering Bali. His statement comes in response to the surge in foreign visitors to Bali following the island’s reopening post COVID, which has led to numerous viral videos of tourists misbehaving, sparking outrage among local residents and on social media.
Statistics from Indonesia’s national bureau indicate that 2.9 million foreign visitors arrived in Bali via the island’s airport in the first half of this year, accounting for 65% of the country’s total foreign air arrivals during that period.
Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno previously stated that the government is keen to avoid a scenario similar to Barcelona, where tourists have become unwelcome in the eyes of locals, as reported by the national news agency Antara.
Luhut also highlighted the government's commitment to addressing waste management issues, improving infrastructure, and preventing further overdevelopment on the island. He underscored the importance of preserving Bali's agricultural landscape, stating, "We don't want to see paddy fields turned into villas or nightclubs." He stressed that the focus should be on attracting quality tourists rather than merely increasing numbers.
Public nudity is illegal in Indonesia, and while Bali has nightclubs and discos with in house dancers, there are no strip clubs on the island. The government plans to unveil a comprehensive policy for the reform of Bali’s tourism sector in the near future.
