Bali governor downplays hotel and villa sell-off, orders tighter listing checks

Denpasar — Governor Wayan Koster said on 21 September 2026 that Bali’s tourism activity remains normal despite reports of hotels and villas being offered for sale. He also said the provincial government will tighten oversight of accommodation marketed through digital platforms, including Airbnb.

Why it matters: Bali accommodation operators and platform listings face tighter permit checks, and only licensed properties are meant to be promoted on digital platforms.

Speaking at a Bali Regional House of Representatives plenary meeting in Denpasar, Koster said the province will coordinate with the central government and regency and city administrations to monitor accommodation businesses and check whether they have the required permits and zoning clearance, according to Detik Bali and Bali Post.

Koster said only licensed accommodation should be marketed on digital platforms, while unlicensed operators should not be promoted until they regularise their permits. He added that the monitoring will involve local governments on the ground to identify businesses that violate the rules.

The governor’s comments come amid reports that some Bali hotels and villas are being listed for sale. He argued that such sales do not automatically mean tourism is weakening, but reflect business decisions at the operator level.

Bali authorities have for months been pressing online booking platforms to help screen out illegal accommodation and to promote only properties that meet licensing requirements. The latest remarks extend that policy direction to broader oversight of listings marketed through Airbnb and similar platforms.

For Bali accommodation operators, the remarks reinforce that listings without permits face closer scrutiny and possible removal from digital platforms, while licensed properties remain eligible for promotion.

Sources

• Detik Bali
• Bali Post