Southern Bali’s popular destinations—Seminyak, Kuta, Legian, Jimbaran, Benoa, Nusa Dua, Uluwatu, and Pecatu—are grappling with a significant issue: the loss of valuable agricultural land. As green spaces give way to concrete and construction, the region faces severe congestion and frequent traffic jams due to rampant development. In response to these challenges, the Indonesian government is set to impose a hotel moratorium in southern Bali to safeguard its remaining agricultural areas.
The plan to halt new hotel projects has garnered support from key tourism stakeholders, including the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI) and the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI). Both organizations have endorsed the central government’s decision to prevent the conversion of rice fields into commercial properties in this region.
Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, highlighted the grassroots impact of unchecked development. He emphasized that such excessive growth affects tourism activities negatively.
“In two meetings with tourism stakeholders, one last night and one today, there was no opposition to the plan,” Sandiaga stated, as reported by DetikBali on Wednesday (4/9/2024).
The issue of land conversion will be addressed in a specialized ministry meeting. The discussion will also include revisions to the OSS (Online Single Submission) licensing system to incorporate feedback from traditional leaders and local content considerations.
“OSS licensing involves central decision-making, but it will also factor in suggestions from traditional leaders and local contexts to avoid licensing problems that do not reflect field conditions,” Sandiaga explained.
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The upcoming limited meeting will also focus on the moratorium on new hotel and tourism accommodation developments in southern Bali. This initiative is crucial, given the current overdevelopment in the area, as noted by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. He pointed out that development around his property in Canggu has become excessively crowded.
The government’s decisive actions, which have received backing from tourism stakeholders, aim to prevent over-tourism in the region.
“Feedback from academics, including Mbok Ni Luh Djelantik, GIPI, and especially PHRI, which supports the temporary halt, has been crucial. PHRI, as the leading association for hotels and restaurants, backs the moratorium,” Sandiaga added.
Next week, a meeting involving several ministers will outline new regulations based on President Jokowi’s directives. The revised policies will include improvements to the OSS system, land conversion regulations managed by the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), and special rules for hotel construction overseen by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). Enhancements in immigration and police procedures are also expected.
