Bali struggles with overdevelopment and environmental impact

Bali, once a pristine paradise and a beacon of tropical allure, is now struggling under the weight of its own success.

Bali is struggling under the strain of overtourism. Once celebrated as a paradise, the island now resembles a congested parking lot due to the overwhelming number of visitors. While tourism brings in valuable revenue, the sheer volume of tourists has become unmanageable, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media. 

The government's proposal to temporarily halt new hotel and villa construction is urgently needed. Often referred to as the “Island of the Gods,” Bali plays a critical role in Indonesia's tourism industry, drawing visitors from across the globe. The challenge now is to address the rampant overdevelopment that has become synonymous with Bali, manage visitor numbers, and safeguard the island’s environment and cultural heritage.

Despite being part of Indonesia's vast archipelago of 18,000 islands, only 6,000 of which are inhabited, Bali has consistently been a top destination. Located east of the densely populated island of Java and separated by the narrow Bali Strait, Bali stands out with its unique Hindu culture amidst Indonesia's majority Muslim population. Bali is currently overwhelmed by tourist numbers. The island was also severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which left its hotels and beaches deserted. 

Tourism is vital to Bali's economy, making up over 60 per cent of its income and providing employment for its more than 4 million residents. When tourism dried up in 2020, Bali's GDP plummeted by 9.3 per cent, the steepest decline among Indonesia’s provinces. I visited Bali shortly after the reopening of borders and witnessed the devastation firsthand. Many of my contacts in the local tourism sector had lost their jobs and were forced to return to their family farms to survive. Since then, tourism has rebounded aggressively.

Approximately 5 million visitors arrived in 2023, nearing pre-pandemic levels, and this number is projected to rise further. This resurgence is largely attributed to successful government initiatives, such as the "second home" and golden visas for affluent global citizens and investors, as well as digital nomad programs favored by cryptocurrency traders.

Although a $10 tourist tax was introduced to fund environmental protection projects, it has been poorly implemented, with many visitors unaware of the fee. Not all tourists have been respectful. Reports of inappropriate behavior, such as nudity on sacred mountains, drug abuse, and local assaults, have strained the patience of Balinese officials.