Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism is stepping up its collaboration with the Bali provincial government to develop more sustainable and high-quality tourism, particularly in response to the challenges currently facing the island.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said in a statement on Saturday that Bali remains a strategic tourist destination and plays a vital role in the country’s tourism industry.

This is evident from the steadily increasing number of domestic and international visitors each year, she said.

Wardhana noted that several pressing challenges require immediate attention and strong synergy between central and local authorities. One key issue is unlicensed accommodation, especially villas operating without permits.

Other concerns include tourism development and spatial planning, which she said must be more evenly distributed and carried out without sacrificing productive agricultural land.

The ministry is also focusing on broader issues such as traffic congestion, waste management, and the need to further develop North and West Bali, which are less frequented by tourists.

"We also acknowledge the challenges related to the behavior of certain tourists in Bali," Wardhana said. "We will continue working to educate visitors through cooperation with Indonesian embassies and other partners."

She emphasized that despite Bali's status as a top-of-mind destination, consistent promotion remains essential. The ministry, she said, is committed to supporting the 100-year tourism development plan designed by Bali Governor Wayan Koster.

Ni Made Ayu Marthini, the ministry's Deputy for Marketing, added that the government has prepared the Wonderful Indonesia promotional calendar for 2026, which will be aligned with Bali’s tourism promotion programs.

She also noted that the ministry is in talks with airlines and the Ministry of Transportation to encourage carriers to inform tourists about appropriate conduct while visiting Bali.

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