Bali leaders push shift to quality, sustainable tourism
Bali’s governor and deputy governor are using the Bali Tourism Awards and new investment projects to push a shift toward quality, sustainable tourism that protects culture and environment while strengthening local communities, though…
Editor: Mursyid Sonsang
· Event date: · 4 min read
Denpasar — — Bali’s provincial leadership is urging a shift in the island’s tourism model from chasing visitor numbers to prioritising cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, service quality and broader economic benefits for local communities, using the Bali Tourism Awards and new investment projects as platforms to underline that direction.
In a written statement delivered at the Bali Tourism Awards 2026, Governor I Wayan Koster said the future of Bali’s tourism must focus on quality tourism
The awards ceremony, organised by the Indonesia Tourism & Travel Awards (ITTA) Foundation, marked the 11th edition of the Bali Tourism Awards and recognised 38 tourism actors and leaders, including hospitality executives, hotels, resorts, villas and supporting companies. The event took place at the Bali Beach Convention Center within the Sanur Health and Wellness Special Economic Zone, with the 2026 theme "Eleven Years Excellence, Inspiring the Future" and a focus on sustainability, connectivity and ecosystem development, according to local coverage.
Quality tourism as policy direction
Koster’s remarks reflect a broader policy narrative already promoted at national level, where tourism strategies increasingly emphasise environmental stewardship, cultural integrity and higher value per visitor rather than raw arrival figures. His statement at the awards did not outline new specific regulations, but reaffirmed that Bali’s tourism development should be anchored in maintaining the island’s character, cultural traditions and environmental balance while strengthening local livelihoods.
Quality tourism, as framed in these reports, places more weight on the experience and impact of each trip: how infrastructure and services perform, how waste and resource use are managed, and how communities benefit from tourism spending. That emphasis aligns with concerns about over-tourism and pressure on destinations’ land, water and cultural sites that have been raised in Indonesian tourism policy discussions, though the Bali Tourism Awards coverage does not provide updated quantitative data for these pressures.
Deputy governor links investments to sustainability
A similar message was delivered by Deputy Governor I Nyoman Giri Prasta when he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Oakwood Jimbaran Villas & Residences in Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung. According to regional news reports, Giri Prasta welcomed the project as part of developing supporting tourism facilities, but stressed that new investments must prioritise quality, sustainability and harmony with Bali’s local character and wisdom.
He underlined that tourism facilities should not be viewed only as physical construction, but also in terms of area planning, service standards, visitor comfort, environmental protection and the island’s social and cultural characteristics. The deputy governor also highlighted the importance of collaboration with the private sector, noting that investment should enhance destination competitiveness while delivering tangible benefits for local communities.
The same official has previously linked tourism development to broader economic and regulatory efforts, including commitments to sustainable and dignified tourism and stronger local participation in new projects. These statements suggest a consistent emphasis on aligning infrastructure, investment and tourism products with long-term environmental and social objectives rather than short-term volume growth.
Awards and collaboration
The Bali Tourism Awards 2026 highlighted collaboration across government, industry and education, with national tourism figures and hospitality leaders urging innovation and continuous improvements in service quality, sustainability and destination management. Advisory board members and academics cited in local coverage called for enhanced skills, technology adoption, creativity and hospitality standards among tourism workers to support the shift to quality tourism.
The recognition of 38 tourism actors across categories including hospitality leadership, accommodation, transport, meetings and events, wellness and other supporting sectors reflects an attempt to embed quality and sustainability principles across the wider tourism ecosystem, not only in flagship destinations. However, the available reporting does not yet detail measurable provincial targets, new licensing rules or specific budget allocations tied to these priorities.
For businesses and communities, the current policy signals point toward higher expectations for cultural sensitivity, environmental performance and local economic impact in tourism planning and operations, even as the precise regulatory instruments and monitoring mechanisms remain to be clarified in future government decisions and implementing regulations.
Sources
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