Bali, long hailed as a global tourist paradise, is now being primed for a new role: as Indonesia’s digital innovation hub. Bank Indonesia (BI) is laying the groundwork for Bali to become a “Digital Economy Island,” where the digital economy stands alongside tourism as a main pillar of growth. The shift comes as the island attracts not only holidaymakers, but also digital nomads and crypto enthusiasts who see Bali as an ideal base for work and creativity.
Erwin Soeriadimadja, Head of Bank Indonesia’s Bali representative office, highlighted the island’s growing reputation in the creative and digital economy space.
“Bali has become a hub not just for conventional tourists, but also for digital nomads and crypto communities who now call this island home,” he said. According to Erwin, Bali’s appeal and existing ecosystem make it the perfect host for digital transformation.
The island has also made notable strides in digital payment adoption. Bank Indonesia reported that QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) transactions hit Rp1.54 trillion by March 2025. That figure involved over 10.7 million transactions, 1.09 million users, and 959,040 merchants actively using the platform. “Bali has shown significant progress in digitizing payments, particularly through the rapid expansion of QRIS,” Erwin noted.
Digitalization in Bali doesn’t stop at consumer payments. Local governments at all levels—provincial, regency, and municipal—have also embraced non-cash systems for taxes and levies. This widespread adoption has led to an increase in the region’s locally generated revenue. Citing data from the Directorate General of Treasury (DJPB), Erwin said Bali’s regional income (PAD) reached Rp4.17 trillion, reflecting an impressive 22.17% year-on-year growth.
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Supporting this digital shift is “Baligivation,” an annual event launched by Bank Indonesia in partnership with the provincial government, local authorities, and industry associations. This year’s kickoff event, held on April 30, 2025, reaffirms the collective commitment to advancing Bali’s digital ecosystem. “This collaboration is part of our shared goal to realize Bali as a Digital Island,” Erwin said during the event.
Aligning with this vision, the Bali Provincial Government has made the digital economy a key priority. It has drafted a regional regulation (Perda) specifically focused on creative and digital economic growth. Infrastructure is also expanding to support this transformation. Digital facilities are being extended to villages, and construction of the Turyapada Tower is underway to strengthen network coverage in North Bali.
To build a strong digital talent base, Bank Indonesia is also working with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. The aim is to empower young people with skills and knowledge to innovate in the digital space. “As part of Baligivation, we’re collaborating with digital service providers to educate the public on online selling,” Erwin said. “We also want to involve content creators and students who aspire to join the digital creator economy.”
With these combined efforts, Bali is not just transforming—it is redefining its identity, evolving from a vacation hotspot into a thriving digital economy island hub.
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