Koster Targets Gerokgak as Buleleng Tourism and Growth Hub by 2030

Singaraja — Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has outlined plans for Gerokgak in western Buleleng to be developed as a new centre for economic growth and tourism activity, with the programme intended to be underway before his gubernatorial term ends on 20 February 2030, according to local media reports.

The provincial government aims to use Gerokgak’s natural and geographic potential to stimulate economic development in Buleleng’s western corridor and diversify growth beyond existing tourism hubs in southern Bali, according to Radio Republik Indonesia’s Singaraja service.

RRI reported on 24 August 2026 that the Bali government is preparing a “pembangunan pusat pertumbuhan ekonomi dan kawasan ekonomi pariwisata” (economic growth centre and tourism economy zone) in Gerokgak district, Buleleng. The station quoted Koster as saying that the Gerokgak tourism economy zone would form part of efforts to build new economic growth centres in the regency.

Separately, national news outlet Detik’s Bali section reported that Koster announced the Gerokgak plan while opening the Buleleng Festival (Bulfest) 2026 in Singaraja on Tuesday, 18 August 2026. Detik quoted Koster as saying a centre for economic growth and a tourism economy area would be established in Gerokgak “supaya ekonomi di Gerokgak tumbuh” (so that the local economy grows), and that he was optimistic the programme could start running before his term ends on 20 February 2030.

Western Buleleng positioned for tourism and investment

According to RRI’s Singaraja report, Koster said different parts of Buleleng would be developed according to their distinct characteristics. The eastern areas of Sawan and Tejakula were described as more suitable for cultural and heritage-site development, while the western area, including Gerokgak, was identified as having stronger potential to be developed as a centre of economic and tourism activities.

RRI noted that the planned Gerokgak tourism economy zone is expected to open up opportunities for investment and employment, while increasing economic activity among local communities in western Buleleng. Detik similarly reported that Koster views the Gerokgak development as a way to drive economic growth in the western part of the regency.

In his Bulfest remarks, Koster urged that development should follow established spatial planning directions and respect regional characteristics, calling for economic expansion that remains consistent with sustainable use of local potential.

Links to Bali’s 100-year development framework

The Gerokgak plan sits within the province’s broader long-term framework known as Haluan Pembangunan Bali Masa Depan 100 Tahun Bali Era Baru 2025–2125, which was set out in a regional regulation adopted in 2023. The provincial government has described the 2025–2030 period as the first implementation phase of this 100-year roadmap, with priorities including economic transformation, infrastructure development and environmental management.

In public statements on the 100-year plan, the governor has highlighted the need to balance development between Bali’s regions and to steer tourism growth towards areas outside the established southern corridor, while tightening controls on land conversion and new hotel construction.

Project details yet to be disclosed

Neither the RRI Singaraja report nor the Detik Bali article identified specific hotels, transport facilities, public services or other construction projects planned for Gerokgak. The reports did not mention whether new land acquisition, zoning changes or major infrastructure upgrades would be required to support the tourism economy zone.

RRI stated that the Bali government is preparing the development plan and that the programme is intended to support wider economic growth in Buleleng and establish a new growth centre in the regency. However, no lead implementing agency, investment scale, detailed timeframe or mechanism for local community participation was set out in the coverage.

As the provincial administration moves from policy direction to implementation, investors and residents in western Buleleng are likely to focus on forthcoming information about permitted activities, infrastructure commitments and safeguards, which will determine how the proposed tourism economy affects land use, public services and livelihoods in Gerokgak.

Sources

• RRI Singaraja - Pemprov Bali Siapkan Gerokgak Jadi Pusat Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Buleleng
• Detik Bali - Koster Bakal Kembangkan Gerokgak Buleleng Jadi Pusat Ekonomi Pariwisata
• Provincial Government of Bali - Hari Jadi Provinsi Bali ke-68, Gubernur Koster Tegaskan Komitmen Wujudkan Bali Era Baru Berkelanjutan
• Balipost - Peluncuran Haluan 100 Tahun Bali Era Baru, Gubernur Koster