Opposition mounts against Bali mega-projects
Bali’s tourist industry is opposing plans for a massive accommodation and entertainment development of the resort island’s Benoa Bay.
Cok Ace, chairman of Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI), told the Jakarta Post that tourists came to Bali for culture and nature, not entertainment.
The leader of the Puri Ubud royal family said that the huge reclamation project at Benoa Bay would not only have a negative impact on the environment but also on the island’s sociocultural life.
He said the development would replicate tourist facilities in neighbouring countries.
It has been reported that that four major investors are currently proposing developments at Benoa Bay to include construction of luxury hotels, a Formula 1 racing circuit, a Disney-like theme park and hotels.
Cok Ace, who is also chairman of the newly established Bali Tourism Promotion Board, suggested that the provincial administration and every tourism stakeholder conserve and preserve the island’s culture and nature instead of building "artificial entertainment and tourist facilities".
According to data from the Bali Tourism Agency, the number of hotels and tourist accommodation facilities in Bali exceeded demand.
There were 161 star-rated hotels with 20,753 rooms; 1,026 non-starred hotels with 20,199 rooms and 1,016 home stays with 4,478 rooms.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025