Bali has demanded a ban on the construction of new hotels and nightclubs in tourist hotspots on the island.
Rowdy backpackers, traffic and the conversion of rice paddies into luxury villas have angered locals living on the “island of the gods”.
This year, a British tourist was arrested for speeding through a toll booth in a stolen truck.
And last year, a Russian man was deported after being caught posing naked on Mount Agung, one of Bali’s holiest sites.
The plan, which would affect four tourist spots, was formally requested by the Bali provincial government this week.
Bali has demanded a ban on building new hotels and nightclubs in the island’s tourist hotspots (file photo)
Rowdy backpackers, traffic and the conversion of rice paddies into luxury villas have angered locals living on the “island of the gods” (file photo)
The plan, which would affect four tourist spots, was formally requested by the Bali provincial government this week (file photo)
Indonesian tourism officials are currently considering this possibility, but the timing and duration of the ban are still unclear.
“The Bali provincial government has proposed a moratorium on the development of hotels, villas, nightclubs and beach clubs in four busy areas,” said Ida Ayu Indah Yustikarini, a spokeswoman for Bali’s tourism board.
“The goal is to promote a quality tourism industry.”
The Indonesian government is understood to be in favour of the plans and a senior official said they had already agreed to put the moratorium in place.
“No more villas in rice fields… I want Bali to be a clean destination, with a good environment, to become a quality destination,” said Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia’s coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment, according to local news website Detik.
He was also quoted as saying that the ban could be extended up to ten years, although the exact timeframe was still under discussion.
Bali is Indonesia’s most popular island, with 3.5 million tourists visiting between January and June this year alone.
Foreign arrivals have increased since the island reopened to tourism following the Covid-19 pandemic and there are now 541 hotels on the island, up from 507 in 2019.
Bali is Indonesia’s most popular island, with 3.5 million tourists visiting between January and June this year alone.
Foreign arrivals have increased since it reopened to tourism following the Covid-19 pandemic and there are now 541 hotels on the island, up from 507 in 2019.
This image shows the scene after a British tourist crashed into a tollbooth in Bali.
Shocked police officers stood at the destroyed toll gate as the truck sped away.
However, its growing popularity has sparked a furious backlash among locals, who frequently complain on social media about traffic jams, crime and overdevelopment.
Bali has joined a host of other destinations taking aggressive measures to combat the effects of overtourism.
This summer, Spain faced a wave of anti-tourism protests in which demonstrators even sprayed visitors to Barcelona with water pistols.
The mayor of the Catalan capital has also pledged to eliminate short-stay tourist accommodation in the city within five years.
Mayor Jaume Collboni believes the move will make Barcelona more affordable for young people who have been forced out by rising rents.
And in Mallorca locals started a movement to “take back the beaches” from tourists with demonstrations that took place throughout the summer.
Thousands of Mallorcans took to the streets on July 21 to protest against ‘overtourism’ on the island
A protester holds a sign that reads: “Enough speculation in housing, SOS neighbors”
Protesters hold a sign reading ‘tourism yes, but not like this’ during the march in Palma
A shocking video shows a woman sitting on a path leading down to the popular Caló des Moro cove while a local shouts to potential tourists: “Come on, come on, come on!”
Meanwhile, Italy is reportedly considering implementing a tourist tax and Greece is planning to crack down on cruise ship traffic.
