In response to Bali's inclusion on Fodor's No List 2025, which highlights destinations perceived as unappealing due to excessive crowding, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa firmly contested the characterization, asserting that Bali has not reached a state of over-tourism.
"Bali is not (in a state of) over-tourism. It is only being concentrated in South Bali," she stated when met in Jakarta on Thursday.
To address this matter, her side and the regional government prepared a 3B tour package to introduce a variety of tourist destinations in Bali.
In this tour package, the government promotes undiscovered tourist attractions in Bali.
"We can distribute tourists via Java, Banyuwangi, directly to West Bali and North Bali," Puspa noted.
She then emphasized that Bali is still worth visiting for tourists. According to Puspa, Bali's inclusion on Fodor's No List 2025 will not have much impact on tourist visits there.
"Bali is still very much worth visiting. Bali is still extraordinary. I do not think the list will bring any impact," she remarked.
She then explained that Bali had garnered numerous awards in the tourism sector in 2024, including the Best Tourism Village award from UN Tourism in 2024 for the Jatiluwih Tourism Village.
Bali is listed on Fodor's No List 2025 due to its rapid development of the tourism industry, which has placed significant pressure on its environment.
The tourism publication, among other things, highlighted the piles of garbage strewn across beaches in Bali, including Kuta and Seminyak.
According to Fodor’s Travel, rapid and uncontrolled development driven by over-tourism has had a negative impact on Bali's natural habitat, eroded its environmental and cultural heritage, and created a “plastic apocalypse.”
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma S, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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