An island famous for its nature and cultural offerings, Bali is one of the most popular destinations in the world. Ranked #2 at the TripAdvisor Travel Choice Awards in 2024, millions of foreign travelers head to this island paradise each year.
However, there needs to be more tourist traffic on the island, with most visitors spending their time in the Badung Regency particularly, Canggu and Seminyak, 2 most well-known hubs of Balinese tradition and culture. In contrast, the eight other regencies have a smaller number of tourists.
To address this imbalance and prevent potential over-tourism, the Indonesian government has taken urgent measures to spread tourism outside the Badung Regency and into the lesser-known destinations on the island.
In this article, you’ll discover these measures, why the Indonesian government is implementing them, and what this move could mean to the global tourism industry.
Related article: Bali’s Artistic Enclaves: Exploring the Island’s Creative Hubs
Indonesia’s New Tourism Campaign for Bali’s Less-Explored Regions
On August 6, 2024, Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, spoke to an audience at the 2024 Bali Tourism Awards. During his speech, Uno expressed concern about the possible over-tourism on the island, especially in the Badung Regency, where most tourists converge. Uno announced the government’s new campaign to combat potential over-tourism on the island to prevent a similar event to what happened in Barcelona a month prior.
He emphasized the need for a balanced approach to tourism in Bali and implementing sustainable business practices. Since South Bali is experiencing the most visitors on the island, with over 3.89 million foreign tourists recorded from January to July 2024, Uno shared that the government is taking measures to combat the island’s tourism traffic imbalance.
The new campaign promotes other Bali regencies, offering unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences away from the heavily visited tourist spots and crowds that fill the Badung Regency.
Some of these strategies include the following:
To have at least 25% of tourists staying out of Badung and into other accommodations in different regencies.
- More tours and tourist attractions are available in other regencies.
- To create more marketing campaigns for lesser-visited regions of Bali.
- Improve tourism quality in other regencies.
Some of the destinations outside Badung Regency that are being promoted by the new campaign include:
- Pemuteran in North Bali
- Ijen Crater National Park
- Bromo Volcano in East Java
Pemuteran is a remote area known for exceptional diving and snorkeling experiences and is perfect for tourists looking for more tranquil experiences. Ijen Crater National Park, on the other hand, is aimed at thrill seekers, adventure enthusiasts, and those interested in geology. Some of the activities the area is known for include visiting its acidic crater lake and witnessing the blue fire phenomenon.
Related article: Best Diving Spots in Bali
Different locations on the island that are being prompted include Ubud in the Gianyar Regency and Amed in the Karangasem Regency, both of which offer stunning natural scenery and have much to offer aside from beaches and cultural experiences.
Related article: A Guide to the Ubud Monkey Forest in Bali
The Drive Behind Bali’s New Tourism Campaign
While the Badung Regency enjoys an average of 90% occupancy for its accommodations and a 30% increase in foreign visitors from 2023, Uno fears a rise of 10% more could lead to the dreaded over-tourism he wishes to avoid.
This very reason starts the ignition of this new campaign, with its intentions revealed by the Minister. Some of the intentions behind it include:
- Promoting Bali as a complete and whole island destination and not just the “touristy” parts.
- Steering more tourists towards other regencies to update Bal’s current tourism model.
- Creating experiences that show the actual color of Bali and offering authentic journeys in the island’s heart and soul.
While specific destinations are being emphasized, other Regencies in Bali are also being promoted, especially off-the-beaten path locations and experiences. The island’s beaches, rich culture and history, and vibrant nightlife may be the focus of most foreign visitors. Still, Bali is so much more than what is popularly portrayed in social media.
Related article: Top 10 Best Bali Beaches
Aimed at the importance of experiences outside South Bali, Indonesia’s new partnerships with the island’s regencies support the Ministry of Tourism’s sustainable tourism practices. Preventing over-tourism and tourism traffic imbalances, these new measures are being actively implemented to ensure Bali remains a tropical island that retains its authentic charm and identity.
It is also Indonesia’s contribution to global sustainable business practices in the tourism industry, hoping to inspire other tourist destinations to implement similar projects for over-tourism prevention.
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Featured Image by GetYourGuide
