Bali’s tourism boom in 2024 painted a bright picture for the island. Around 6.3 million international visitors arrived throughout the year, driving a surge in local tourism businesses. Yet behind the growing buzz, a different issue emerged. Many accommodation providers in Bali are still running without proper licenses.
The Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) has turned its attention to this gap. Rizki Handayani, Deputy for Industry and Investment at Kemenpar, said that numerous accommodations across Bali operate without legal authorization. To tackle this, the ministry organized a coaching clinic in Bali, helping entrepreneurs register their businesses under the risk-based licensing system through the Online Single Submission (OSS) platform.
This initiative is part of the government’s effort to strengthen tourism management, making Bali’s destinations more organized, competitive, and sustainable. Rizki noted that unregistered accommodations have created a ripple effect on the island’s tourism ecosystem.
“This situation triggers unhealthy business competition, lowers service quality for visitors, and creates legal and security risks,” she said in a statement released by Kemenpar on Monday (October 6).
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According to the ministry’s data, about 2,612 accommodation units in Bali currently operate without official registration. Local governments are now verifying these businesses to confirm their legal status. Rizki emphasized that moving forward, all properties listed on Online Travel Agents (OTA) must hold valid licenses. The central and regional governments will coordinate to enforce compliance and create clearer regulations for tourism accommodation permits.
“Business legality must be clear so that all parties are protected,” she added.
Through the coaching clinic, Kemenpar and the Bali Provincial Government are mentoring 80 business owners who still lack a Business Identification Number (NIB), guiding them to complete registration and operate legally. Rizki highlighted that obtaining a license is not merely a formality but a vital step toward legal certainty.
Proper permits, she said, allow entrepreneurs to run their businesses safely, comfortably, and competitively. Official licensing also opens access to financial support, helping businesses grow more sustainably.
Tjok Bagus Pemayun, the Governor of Bali’s Expert Staff for Law, Politics, and Governance, echoed the importance of compliance. He said that holding business permits reflects a commitment to responsible and sustainable practices that align with Bali’s tourism development goals.
In 2024, Bali accounted for more than half of Indonesia’s total international arrivals—6.3 million of the nation’s 13.9 million visitors. This influx has inspired a wave of new local tourism ventures. “This coaching clinic is important so that business owners not only know how to access and register through OSS but also understand their rights and obligations once they hold a business license,” said Tjok Bagus.
The government hopes that by strengthening legal awareness and supporting small businesses through structured assistance, Bali’s tourism industry can continue to grow without compromising fairness, safety, or sustainability.
