Exploring Cultural Routes from Barak Beach to Padar Island
BADUNG – Bank Indonesia (BI) Bali Province launched the ‘QRIS Jelajah Budaya Indonesia’ program on Wednesday (October 1, 2025), involving youth representatives from Bali and Nusa Tenggara. The event kicked off at the iconic BarakBeach in Badung, Bali, and will run until October 5, 2025.
Advisor of BI Bali, Indra Gunawan Sutarto, said the program aims to boost digitalization awareness among local communities, particularly in the Bali–Nusra region.
“Beyond celebrating culture, this initiative is designed to socialize QRIS and encourage MSMEs to adopt it as merchants. With digitalization, payments become more efficient—customers simply scan the QRIS code, and the money goes directly into the merchant’s account without the hassle of carrying cash,” Gunawan explained.
He added that Jelajah Budaya Indonesia is also an effort to highlight Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage.
“We want to reintroduce and amplify Indonesia’s abundant cultural diversity, especially in Bali, NTB, and NTT, which remain major attractions for both local and international tourists,” he said.
Head of BI Bali’s Payment System Policy Implementation Team, Dinantiar Anditra, outlined the cultural journey’s route. After the opening in Pandawa Beach, participants will continue to Ubud, then to Bilebante Tourism Village in Central Lombok (NTB), and on to Melo Village in NTT.
“In Ubud, participants will explore local culture, while in Bilebante Village they will wear traditional attire, cook local dishes, and introduce digitalization to the community. In Melo Village, they will enjoy traditional dances before heading to Komodo Island and finally Padar Island. At Padar Island—which is featured on the Rp50,000 banknote—participants will raise the Indonesian Red and White flag,” Dinantiar explained.
He emphasized that participants are encouraged to directly experience and embrace the cultural richness of Bali–Nusra while promoting the movement ‘Love, Proud, and Understand Rupiah.’
The program is being held simultaneously across Indonesia, combining efforts to enhance public literacy on digital payment systems with showcasing the nation’s cultural heritage.***
Photo: Participants of Jelajah Budaya Indonesia at the official opening ceremony at Pandawa Beach, Badung, Bali, Wednesday (Oct 1, 2025).
