BNEWSID – Bali Governor Wayan Koster reaffirmed that developing a culture-based, high-quality, and dignified tourism sector cannot be achieved instantly. He emphasized the importance of concrete actions, collaboration, and development rooted in Bali’s cultural values.

Speaking at the Ksirarnawa Building, Art Center Denpasar, on Thursday (October 30, 2025), Koster, accompanied by Bali Deputy Governor I Nyoman Giri Prasta, outlined the concrete steps currently being implemented by the provincial government.

According to him, Bali’s tourism development must be guided by the vision Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali through the Pola Pembangunan Semesta Berencana and the Bali Development Roadmap for the Next Century, Bali Era Baru 2025-2125. This vision, he said, is realized by strengthening Balinese culture through the use of Balinese script, traditional attire, the empowerment of customary villages (desa adat), and the promotion of local culture.

Implementation on the ground includes the development of new tourist destinations, supporting infrastructure, and sustainable tourism management.

“For new tourism destinations, we are focusing on the development of the Turyapada Tower KBS 6.0 Kerthi Bali area in Buleleng and the Bali Cultural Center area in Klungkung. Meanwhile, strategic infrastructure projects scheduled for 2026 include the restoration of Parahyangan Pura Agung Besakih in Karangasem, construction of a parking complex at Pura Ulun Danu Batur in Bangli, a parking and shuttle facility from Sanur Parking Building to Sanur Port, and a new underpass road in Jimbaran, Badung Regency,” Koster explained.

Beyond physical development, the governor also highlighted the importance of sustainable ecosystem and environmental management, as well as drafting a Regional Regulation on Quality Tourism Governance. He further encouraged collective participation in optimizing the Foreign Tourist Levy (Pungutan Wisatawan Asing / PWA) to ensure that tourism benefits are truly felt by the Balinese people.

“These efforts aim to ensure that tourism development maintains balance — generating economic benefits while preserving harmony between nature, people, and Balinese culture,” he added.

Koster acknowledged that while tourism brings economic prosperity and happiness to Balinese society, it also presents various challenges.
“Tourism has led to issues such as land-use conversion, increasing waste, threats to clean water availability, severe traffic congestion, and widening economic disparities outside Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan,” he said.

He further pointed out that future tourism management must also address growing social and cultural challenges.
“There are infrastructure capacity limitations, inadequate public transport systems, rising cases of property purchases under local names, drug-related issues, the emergence of exclusive foreign communities, and increasing desecration of sacred sites,” Koster remarked.

Through these comprehensive and strategic efforts, Governor Koster hopes Bali’s tourism will grow sustainably, not only attracting tourists but also strengthening the island’s cultural identity and dignity on the world stage. (*)