Indonesia imposes moratorium on construction of new hotels in Bali

Indonesia has announced a moratorium on new hotel, villa, and nightclub construction in Bali due to growing concerns over the impacts of tourism on the island's infrastructure, environment, and culture.

The suspension aims to address issues arising from the surge in tourist numbers following the pandemic.

The timeframe for the moratorium is not yet clear, with speculation that it could last up to a decade.

The move follows an increase in the number of hotels from 507 in 2019 to 541 last year, and a significant rise in foreign visitors, reaching 2.9 million in the first half of 2024 alone.

The rapid growth in tourism has led to traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and cultural tensions, including issues with disrespectful tourist behavior and concerns over job competition with the local population.

The government is also introducing measures such as a tourism tax and plans for improved transportation infrastructure to better manage the influx of visitors.