https://baliobserver.com/The Bali Observer covers Bali for an international audience: news, tourism and hospitality, travel advisories, business and investment, culture, the environment and eastern Indonesia.en© 2026 PT. Kabar Delapan Belashttps://baliobserver.com/assets/site/brand/icon-144.pnghttps://baliobserver.com/144144Sun, 20 Sep 2026 22:01:54 +0800 https://baliobserver.com/transnusa-plans-daily-melbourne-bali-flights-from-19-octoberhttps://baliobserver.com/transnusa-plans-daily-melbourne-bali-flights-from-19-octoberSun, 20 Sep 2026 22:01:54 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityTransNusa says the new Melbourne–Bali service starts on 19 October 2026 with daily flights, introductory fares from AUD299 and the airline’s first Premium Plus cabin. https://baliobserver.com/starlux-to-launch-taipei-bali-route-as-governor-koster-welcomes-new-linkhttps://baliobserver.com/starlux-to-launch-taipei-bali-route-as-governor-koster-welcomes-new-linkSun, 20 Sep 2026 22:01:46 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityStarlux Airlines will launch five-times-weekly direct flights between Taipei and Denpasar on 1 October 2026, and Bali Governor Wayan Koster has welcomed the route as a boost to tourism ties with Taiwan following talks with Taipei’s… https://baliobserver.com/sudamala-resort-ubud-plans-formal-october-2026-launch-for-46-unit-retreathttps://baliobserver.com/sudamala-resort-ubud-plans-formal-october-2026-launch-for-46-unit-retreatSun, 20 Sep 2026 22:01:43 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalitySudamala Resort Ubud is preparing a formal October 2026 opening for its 46-unit boutique property off Jalan Suweta, combining river-valley views, Indonesian design and locally focused dining with spa and cultural experiences near Ubud’s… https://baliobserver.com/savaya-groups-zumana-sets-kuta-grand-opening-for-25-26-septemberhttps://baliobserver.com/savaya-groups-zumana-sets-kuta-grand-opening-for-25-26-septemberSun, 20 Sep 2026 22:01:35 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityZumana, a new beachfront venue on Kuta’s Sunset Bay developed by Savaya Group, has been hosting guests since 19 August 2026 and is preparing a grand opening weekend on 25–26 September featuring The Martinez Brothers and Satori. https://baliobserver.com/balis-2026-tourism-calendar-lists-two-september-festivals-through-month-endhttps://baliobserver.com/balis-2026-tourism-calendar-lists-two-september-festivals-through-month-endSun, 20 Sep 2026 22:01:29 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityBali’s provincial tourism calendar lists the Buleleng Fashion Festival in Singaraja and the Lembongan Surf and Music Festival in Klungkung for the full month of September 2026. https://baliobserver.com/bali-hotel-market-split-sanur-strengthens-while-ubud-faces-absorption-pressurehttps://baliobserver.com/bali-hotel-market-split-sanur-strengthens-while-ubud-faces-absorption-pressureSun, 20 Sep 2026 22:01:25 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityBali’s hotel market posted a robust 73.2% occupancy in 2025, but new analyses by Horwath HTL and PT Hotel Investment Advisory highlight sharply different absorption and pipeline risks across key destinations, with Sanur in positive… https://baliobserver.com/ihg-preparing-to-open-first-kimpton-hotel-in-indonesia-in-ubudhttps://baliobserver.com/ihg-preparing-to-open-first-kimpton-hotel-in-indonesia-in-ubudSun, 20 Sep 2026 22:01:23 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityIHG Hotels & Resorts is preparing to debut the Kimpton brand in Indonesia with Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud, a 101-key lifestyle hotel on Jalan Bisma featuring Michelin-starred dining, wellness-focused facilities and brand-signature… https://baliobserver.com/indonesia-books-us843-billion-tourism-fx-revenue-in-h1-2026https://baliobserver.com/indonesia-books-us843-billion-tourism-fx-revenue-in-h1-2026Sun, 20 Sep 2026 22:01:08 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityIndonesia’s tourism sector generated an estimated US$8.43 billion in foreign-exchange earnings in the first half of 2026, Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa told a Makassar graduation ceremony, building on strong 2025 results but without… https://baliobserver.com/cicada-resort-bali-ubud-to-welcome-pravi-spa-as-spiritual-wellness-hubhttps://baliobserver.com/cicada-resort-bali-ubud-to-welcome-pravi-spa-as-spiritual-wellness-hubSun, 20 Sep 2026 22:00:50 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityCicada Resort Bali Ubud, Autograph Collection is introducing Pravi Spa & Wellness as the spiritual heart of its Sebatu valley property, with the spa set to welcome guests in September 2026 as part of World Wellness Weekend programming. https://baliobserver.com/bali-logs-46-million-international-arrivals-as-denpasar-pushes-sport-tourismhttps://baliobserver.com/bali-logs-46-million-international-arrivals-as-denpasar-pushes-sport-tourismSun, 20 Sep 2026 22:00:37 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityBali’s provincial tourism agency reports around 4.6 million international arrivals through August 2026, as Denpasar promotes sport-based tourism to support MSMEs, creative businesses and sustainable, culture-conscious visitor growth. https://baliobserver.com/indonesia-says-5834-of-foreign-visitors-seek-its-cuisinehttps://baliobserver.com/indonesia-says-5834-of-foreign-visitors-seek-its-cuisineSun, 20 Sep 2026 22:00:11 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityIndonesia’s tourism minister said 58.34 percent of foreign visitors took part in culinary or gastronomic activities, using the figure to promote gastronomy as a stronger draw for international travel and a boost for local businesses. https://baliobserver.com/airnav-and-boeing-launch-bali-ngurah-rai-capacity-modeling-studyhttps://baliobserver.com/airnav-and-boeing-launch-bali-ngurah-rai-capacity-modeling-studySun, 20 Sep 2026 22:00:09 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityAirNav Indonesia and Boeing have agreed a one-year study to digitally model aircraft movements at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport. https://baliobserver.com/gerindra-psi-press-bali-for-transparency-on-rp500-billion-tourist-levyhttps://baliobserver.com/gerindra-psi-press-bali-for-transparency-on-rp500-billion-tourist-levySun, 20 Sep 2026 21:59:47 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityGerindra–PSI lawmakers in Bali’s provincial council have demanded detailed reporting on the foreign tourist levy and its use, after the 2026 amended budget set a Rp500 billion revenue target and maintained significant deficit and borrowing… https://baliobserver.com/mandalika-motogp-2026-preparations-reach-80-ticket-sales-hit-51https://baliobserver.com/mandalika-motogp-2026-preparations-reach-80-ticket-sales-hit-51Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:59:45 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityOfficials in West Nusa Tenggara say Mandalika MotoGP 2026 preparations are about 80% complete, with ticket sales at 51% and remaining work focused on final circuit and logistics checks. https://baliobserver.com/koster-vows-tighter-oversight-of-bali-revenue-and-tourist-levy-in-2026-budgethttps://baliobserver.com/koster-vows-tighter-oversight-of-bali-revenue-and-tourist-levy-in-2026-budgetSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:59:36 +0800Arsyid MuhamadTourism & HospitalityBali Governor Wayan Koster has pledged to strengthen the provincial government’s management and oversight of regional revenue, including the foreign tourist levy, as part of deliberations on amendments to the 2026 regional budget. https://baliobserver.com/mandalika-international-festival-rescheduled-for-10-13-december-2026https://baliobserver.com/mandalika-international-festival-rescheduled-for-10-13-december-2026Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:59:17 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityThe fifth Mandalika International Festival has been moved from October to December 2026 under a safety-led contingency plan, with organisers citing risk mitigation for participants and visitors. https://baliobserver.com/westin-nusa-dua-to-host-idr500000-celebrate-wellness-day-in-september-2026https://baliobserver.com/westin-nusa-dua-to-host-idr500000-celebrate-wellness-day-in-september-2026Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:59:14 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityThe Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali is set to host Celebrate Wellness: Discover Wellness, Your Way on 12 September 2026 at the Bali International Convention Centre, a full-day programme of movement, mindfulness, healthy dining and a wellness… https://baliobserver.com/four-seasons-sayan-opens-seven-reimagined-suites-in-sustainability-led-refreshhttps://baliobserver.com/four-seasons-sayan-opens-seven-reimagined-suites-in-sustainability-led-refreshSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:58:57 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityFour Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan has opened seven reimagined riverside suites as part of a sustainability-led refresh announced in March 2026, but has not publicly detailed further accommodation phases or pricing changes linked to the… https://baliobserver.com/transnusa-launches-bali-phuket-flights-daily-service-due-in-octoberhttps://baliobserver.com/transnusa-launches-bali-phuket-flights-daily-service-due-in-octoberSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:58:41 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityIndonesian airline TransNusa has launched a new nonstop route between Bali and Phuket, with four weekly flights from 9 September 2026 and plans to upgrade to daily service from 3 October. https://baliobserver.com/bali-ranked-third-in-agodas-2026-asia-repeat-visitor-indexhttps://baliobserver.com/bali-ranked-third-in-agodas-2026-asia-repeat-visitor-indexSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:58:29 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityDigital travel platform Agoda’s 2026 Repeat Visitor Ranking places Bali third among Asia’s most revisited destinations, behind Tokyo and Bangkok, based on accommodation bookings in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period a… https://baliobserver.com/ashva-swiss-belresort-ubud-opens-in-tegallalang-with-94-rooms-and-pavilionshttps://baliobserver.com/ashva-swiss-belresort-ubud-opens-in-tegallalang-with-94-rooms-and-pavilionsSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:58:07 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityAshva Swiss-Belresort Ubud held its grand opening on 5 September 2026 in Tegallalang after a soft-opening period that began in July, adding 94 upscale accommodation units as Swiss-Belhotel International’s 10th operating property in Bali. https://baliobserver.com/preferred-hotels-adds-four-bali-properties-to-lvx-collectionhttps://baliobserver.com/preferred-hotels-adds-four-bali-properties-to-lvx-collectionSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:57:43 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityPreferred Hotels & Resorts has added four Bali properties to its L.V.X. Collection, lifting its Indonesian portfolio to five member hotels and deepening its presence across the island. https://baliobserver.com/balis-2026-events-calendar-highlights-three-september-festivals-outside-the-southhttps://baliobserver.com/balis-2026-events-calendar-highlights-three-september-festivals-outside-the-southSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:57:26 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityBali’s official 2026 tourism calendar highlights three September events in Buleleng and Klungkung, signalling a spread of activity beyond the island’s south while offering only limited public details on organisers and funding. https://baliobserver.com/nusa-penida-implements-dual-levy-and-per-attraction-fees-for-foreign-touristshttps://baliobserver.com/nusa-penida-implements-dual-levy-and-per-attraction-fees-for-foreign-touristsSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:57:19 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityFrom 1 September 2026, Klungkung Regency’s new One Gate One Destination system charges foreign tourists an island entry levy plus separate retribution at individual attractions on Nusa Penida and nearby islands; domestic visitors pay only… https://baliobserver.com/sono-belle-bali-legian-opens-as-117-room-beachfront-resorthttps://baliobserver.com/sono-belle-bali-legian-opens-as-117-room-beachfront-resortSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:57:17 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalitySONO Hotels & Resorts Asia has introduced its SONO Belle lifestyle brand to Indonesia with SONO Belle Bali Legian, a fully repositioned 117-room beachfront resort on Legian Beach at the former Away Bali Legian Camakila site, adding… https://baliobserver.com/tirta-empul-leads-gianyar-tourism-with-553253-visitshttps://baliobserver.com/tirta-empul-leads-gianyar-tourism-with-553253-visitsSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:57:09 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityTirta Empul led Gianyar’s attractions with 553,253 visits in January-August 2026, ahead of Ubud Monkey Forest, Bali Safari Marine Park and Tegenungan Waterfall. https://baliobserver.com/maybank-marathon-bali-2026-draws-14100-runners-and-rp3-billion-prize-poolhttps://baliobserver.com/maybank-marathon-bali-2026-draws-14100-runners-and-rp3-billion-prize-poolSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:56:44 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityThe 2026 Maybank Marathon in Gianyar, Bali gathered 14,100 runners from 46 countries across marathon, half marathon, 10K and wheelchair races, with a prize pool above Rp3 billion, underscoring Bali’s growing profile as an international… https://baliobserver.com/central-review-strips-tourism-chapter-from-balis-askp-bylawhttps://baliobserver.com/central-review-strips-tourism-chapter-from-balis-askp-bylawSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:55:42 +0800Arsyid MuhamadTourism & HospitalityBali’s draft bylaw on app-based special tourism rental transport remains unenforceable after the Ministry of Home Affairs, acting on advice from the transport ministry, deleted the core chapter on tourism services during legal review… https://baliobserver.com/ngurah-rai-airport-handles-132-million-passengers-in-january-july-2026https://baliobserver.com/ngurah-rai-airport-handles-132-million-passengers-in-january-july-2026Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:55:39 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityI Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali handled 13.2 million passenger movements from January to July 2026, with international routes making up about two-thirds of the total, according to airport operator InJourney Airports and… https://baliobserver.com/indonesian-flavours-take-centre-stage-at-bali-dessert-week-in-sanurhttps://baliobserver.com/indonesian-flavours-take-centre-stage-at-bali-dessert-week-in-sanurSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:55:25 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityBali Beach Hotel’s Roso Restaurant staged Bali Dessert Week: Pâtisserie Artistry from 3 to 31 July 2026, with a six-course tasting menu that applied French pastry techniques to flavours and ingredients associated with Bali and the wider… https://baliobserver.com/viceroy-bali-earns-gstc-sustainability-certification-in-ubudhttps://baliobserver.com/viceroy-bali-earns-gstc-sustainability-certification-in-ubudSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:55:05 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityViceroy Bali, a family-owned boutique resort in Ubud, has earned Global Sustainable Tourism Council certification after an independent assessment by Control Union in June 2026, positioning the property among Ubud’s first GSTC-certified… https://baliobserver.com/balis-tatasari-baliku-tourism-draft-still-under-debate-in-provincial-councilhttps://baliobserver.com/balis-tatasari-baliku-tourism-draft-still-under-debate-in-provincial-councilSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:54:45 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityBali’s provincial government and council are still debating a draft regulation on the governance of “quality” tourism businesses, focusing on transport safety, cultural and environmental safeguards, and tighter oversight of operators. https://baliobserver.com/komodo-national-parks-1000-visitor-daily-cap-now-in-forcehttps://baliobserver.com/komodo-national-parks-1000-visitor-daily-cap-now-in-forceSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:54:40 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityRecent regulations and park information confirm Komodo National Park now operates under a park-wide daily cap of about 1,000 visitors, enforced via online reservations alongside updated entrance fees and surcharges, rather than an… https://baliobserver.com/bali-zoos-brunch-with-capybara-offers-two-daily-sessionshttps://baliobserver.com/bali-zoos-brunch-with-capybara-offers-two-daily-sessionsSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:54:34 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityBali Zoo is promoting a Brunch with Capybara experience with two daily sessions that combine dining, supervised interaction and full zoo admission. https://baliobserver.com/aci-customer-experience-awards-honour-bali-and-jakarta-airportshttps://baliobserver.com/aci-customer-experience-awards-honour-bali-and-jakarta-airportsSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:54:31 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityBali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport and Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have received top Asia-Pacific honours in ACI’s 2025 Airport Service Quality Customer Experience Awards, highlighting Indonesia’s push to upgrade… https://baliobserver.com/russian-national-detained-in-bali-over-202-reptiles-bound-for-russiahttps://baliobserver.com/russian-national-detained-in-bali-over-202-reptiles-bound-for-russiaSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:54:24 +0800Arsyid MuhamadTourism & HospitalityIndonesia’s forestry law enforcement agency and immigration officials detained a Russian national at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport in early February 2026, after thwarting an attempt to smuggle 202 reptiles out of Indonesia toward… https://baliobserver.com/bali-police-launch-tourism-police-station-in-central-kutahttps://baliobserver.com/bali-police-launch-tourism-police-station-in-central-kutaSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:54:22 +0800Arsyid MuhamadTourism & HospitalityBali police have launched a dedicated Tourism Police Station on Jalan Raya Kuta to strengthen security and provide a direct contact point for visitors, tourism workers, businesses and residents in one of the island’s busiest tourism… https://baliobserver.com/soori-bali-relaunches-as-independent-brand-after-leaving-alila-grouphttps://baliobserver.com/soori-bali-relaunches-as-independent-brand-after-leaving-alila-groupSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:53:43 +0800Asyinta SastraTourism & HospitalityAlila Villas Soori in Bali’s Tabanan Regency has exited the Alila group and relaunched as Soori Bali under owner management.