A holiday hotspot could be about to turn on tourists over fears one of its most popular destinations could be overwhelmed.
Indonesia has announced that it could introduce a ban on the construction of tourism paraphernalia such as hotels and beach clubs on the island of Bali because of the high number of visitors.
The iconic location, known to some as the ‘island of the Gods’ has long been a popular destination for tourists from around the world. However, the strain of hosting so many people has begun to take a toll on the local people and the government.
As a result, a ban on the construction of new venues is being considered as part of a series of measures to combat the potential impact of overtourism.
Speaking to the Financial Times, the head of the Bali tourism officer’s marketing division Ida Ayu Indah Yustikarini said: “Bali’s provincial government has proposed a moratorium on the development of hotels, villas, nightclubs and beach clubs in four busy areas.” He added that the objective of the new measures was to “encourage a quality tourism industry”.
Between January and July this year, the island attracted 3.5 million foreign visitors – up 22 per cent from the same period last year. It’s led to tensions with residents, who complain about traffic jams, crime, overdevelopment and disrespect for Indonesian culture.
Kadek Adnyana, founder of the Bali Villa Rental and Management Association, continued: “Many locals feel that Bali’s unique culture and traditions are being commercialised or diluted to cater to mass tourism. This unchecked development is often viewed as damaging Bali’s natural beauty and causing unsustainable growth.”
Indonesia is one of several countries to have highlighted the impact of overtourism in 2024. Countries such as Spain, Portugal, Croatia, and even the UK have struggled under the weight of too many tourists in their cities and villages.
In the city of Split which sits on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, locals have said they have had enough of tourists ruining their city during peak summer times.
Speaking to the Express one local said there were so many visitors in Split that they now felt like a stranger in their own home. The local, known as A.B. said: “The locals (including myself) feel as if they’re strangers in their own town. I feel very anxious about that because it’s just so weird walking around your own hometown [and] not hearing a word of Croatian most of the time.”
On who the worst tourists were, they said: “I would say that those are the tourists who don’t have a certain dose of respect for the city and the culture they’re getting engaged with. For example, when they urinate all over the ancient Roman ruins and parts of the town, they disrespect the locals.
“But one of the main things which aren’t major but they do make me a bit annoyed I would say is when they just don’t have the general conscience about their surroundings and then just block the way by just standing in the middle of the already very narrow street.
“Most of the people here would say that the worst tourists are Americans because they tend to be obnoxious and loud and just very much into your face type of people.”