Bali, one of Indonesia's most beautiful beach destinations, is seeking a temporary ban on new hotels, villas and nightclubs amid concerns over tourism and overdevelopment.

Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, interim The governor of Bali has proposed this ban, which could last from one to two years. The main motive is to reduce excessive commercial development in prime areas including Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan, among others. It also aims to improve the quality of tourism while preserving Bali's unique cultural heritage.

The proposed ban is currently under consideration by the central government. The government has also hinted that the moratorium could be extended to 10 years, although discussions are still ongoing, according to Senior Minister Luhut Pandjaitan.

The proposal was made in response to a significant increase in foreign arrivals and emerging concerns problems due to this. Since Bali reopened to tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable surge in international visitors. According to the latest data, 2.9 million foreign tourists arrived at Bali Airport in the first half of the year, accounting for 65% of all foreign air arrivals in Indonesia. This influx has increased problems such as crime, competition for jobs and concerns about overdevelopment of the island.

The growth in the number of hotels has also been quite evident, with 541 hotels registered in Bali last year compared from 507 in 2019. The increase in commercial establishments such as beach clubs and discos has contributed to the feeling of overdevelopment. Videos of tourists showing unruly behavior have often gone viral, irritating locals and causing strong reactions on social media.

The governor's office and Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism have not yet responded to media inquiries regarding the proposed ban. However, the government's focus is clear: to implement measures that balance tourism growth with sustainable development and cultural heritage preservation.

Bali appears to be one of the most visited and beautiful tropical islands in the world, full of stunning beaches , ancient temples and beautiful villages. This place is a hit with honeymooners and cultural explorers. With this new ban, Bangkok aims to preserve its ancient culture, traditions and heritage.

Source: timesofindia

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