Speaking at the THINC Indonesia Conference in Badung on Wednesday (7/8/24,) Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, expressed concern over the potential for overtourism in South Bali and the need for a balanced approach to tourism development, citing Barcelona as a cautionary example, according to reporting from Antara News.
“South Bali is nearing overtourism,” he warned. “A 10 percent increase could push us into that territory. We must avoid a situation like Barcelona, where tourists became public enemies,” he said.
He pointed to the July 2024 protests in Barcelona, during which residents expressed their frustration over the overwhelming number of tourists in the city, saying that to prevent a similar situation in Bali, there is a need to implement sustainable business practices and improve tourism quality, reports Antara News.
Despite Bali’s impressive tourism figures, with occupancy rates reaching 90 percent and daily visitor numbers exceeding 21,000, Uno stressed the importance of spreading tourist arrivals beyond South Bali.
Traffic congestion and other issues stemming from overtourism have prompted calls for investment in West Bali and North Bali, including less-explored areas like Karangasem, Klungkung, Tabanan, and Bangli.
Antara News reports that the two-day THINC Indonesia Conference provided a platform for industry stakeholders to discuss investment opportunities, share knowledge, and explore the latest trends in hotel development and management.
The event focused on the intersection of tourism and hospitality, addressing topics such as financing, property development, asset management, and the impact of technology on the industry.
Source: Antara News
Stock photo by Norbert Braun on Unsplash
