Following Bali being named to the top of Fodor’s Global “No-Go” List of over-exploited tourism destinations Not a List On Which Bali Wants to Be Seen! Indonesia’s new Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, insists that crowded situations in some parts of Bali are not the result of “overtourism” but reflect the crowded and uneven development in the Island’s southern region.
Continuing in the same vein, Widiyanti blames any impression of overtourism on the uneven development of the Island that overwhelmingly focuses on the Island’s southern region. Meanwhile, Bali’s western and northern areas are severely underdeveloped in terms of tourism.
In an explanation issued by the Tourism Minister on Friday, 22 November 2024, Widiyanti said she is aware of the problems posed by the uneven pattern of development and issues of “overtourism” poised by Fodoor’s “No-Go” for 2025 List placing Bali at the top of that list.
Continuing, Tourism Minister Widyanti commented: “The Ministry of Tourism will not sit idly by. In September 2024, the then Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, collaborating with local governments and tourism stakeholders, launched the ‘3B Tourism Package,’ promoting Banyuwangi, West Bali, and North Bali, intended to widen the choice of new tourist destinations. The tourism packages feature and promote the attractions of each region. This includes nature, culture, man-made tourism attractions, and tourist villages.
Enumerating the many tourism options in Bali, located outside the Island’s crowded southern regions, the Minister mentioned the Tourism Village of Les, Lovina, and the Pemuteran Tourism Area of Pemuteran on the Island’s north shore. Also noted by the Minister was the Regency of Jembrana and the West Bali National Park, home to the rare and endangered Bali Starling. Meanwhile, Banyuwangi in East Java has many interesting tourist sites, including the Village of Kemiren, G-Land for surfing, Alas Purwo, and the Kawah Ijen volcano.
The Minister invites all elements of the tourism community to discuss how best to develop tourism in North Bali while also inviting the local and international media to visit North Bali and see its many tourism possibilities.
“With these steps, we remain optimistic that we can reduce tourism inequality and develop a more sustainable form of tourism in Bali that truly benefits the local community,” said Tourism Minister Widiyanti.
The Tourism Ministry Deputy for Destination and Infrastructure Development, Hariyanto, stressed that the Ministry of Tourism remains committed to developing sustainable tourism policies to protect Balinese culture, environment, and welfare.
“We have also increased coordination with local governments, tourism industry players, and local communities to address issues such as waste management, pollution, and social pressures due to tourism,” added Hariyanto.
Shortly after her inauguration as Indonesian Tourism Minister, Widiyanti launched concrete steps to enhance “destination management” by distributing tourists over a wider area of Bali and to 5 New Super Priority Destinations (DPSP) beyond Bali (i.e., Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Borobudur, Mandalika in Lombok, Labuan Bajo, and Likupang).
“We are trying to coordinate across institutions to take firm action against tourists who violate the law, norms, and customs and to take action against tourists who abuse their visas,” said Hariyanto.
The Ministry of Tourism continues to promote community-based tourism, strengthen environmental regulations, and educate tourists and related stakeholders to respect local culture better and maintain the sustainability of Bali’s nature.
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