DENPASAR — Bali Governor Wayan Koster received a visit from the House of Representatives’ Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Body (BKSAP DPR RI) at Jayasabha Building, Denpasar, on Thursday (23/10). The working visit, themed “Cultural Diplomacy and Sustainable Development,” highlighted Bali’s strategic role as the front line of Indonesia’s tourism diplomacy and a major contributor to the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
During the meeting, BKSAP DPR RI called on the central government to give special attention to Bali, recognizing its vital contribution to the national economy.
BKSAP Chair Mardani Ali Sera expressed strong support for strengthening Bali’s special status, including the continuation of regulations that protect its unique cultural and environmental values.
“We fully support the preservation of Bali’s distinctiveness through regulations that safeguard its cultural and natural heritage. Bali is not only beautiful but also plays a key role in Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy,” said Mardani.
BKSAP member and Commission V legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Irene Yosiana, added that Bali deserves special treatment from the central government given its significant contribution to the country’s foreign exchange.
“In fact, around seven percent of Indonesia’s total foreign exchange comes from Bali. However, foreign investment often puts pressure on local communities. We want Bali’s tourism in the future to be truly sustainable and beneficial to its people,” Irene stated.
Governor Wayan Koster emphasized the need for stronger central government support, particularly in infrastructure and policies that promote cultural and environmental sustainability.
“Bali may be small, but its impact is enormous. We contribute more than 53 percent of Indonesia’s total tourism foreign exchange. Yet, infrastructure development for tourism regions like Bali often receives little attention. We are not asking for more, just for fair reciprocity,” Koster said before Mardani and other BKSAP members.
According to Koster, as of October 2025, Bali had welcomed 5.7 million international tourists, and the number is projected to reach 7 million by the end of the year. In the previous year, Bali recorded 6.9 million visitors, generating Rp167 trillion in tourism revenue, or 53 percent of Indonesia’s total tourism foreign exchange of Rp312 trillion.
“The average tourist spending in Bali is far above the national level, reaching US$1,630 per visitor. This confirms Bali’s position as a world-class premium destination,” Koster added.
However, he also underscored persistent challenges, including infrastructure limitations, waste management issues, and the fiscal imbalance between Bali’s contribution and the national budget allocation it receives.
“Without adequate infrastructure, Bali’s competitiveness could decline and fall behind Malaysia or Thailand. That’s why we’re continuing to improve transportation systems and waste management, including developing waste-to-energy projects,” he explained.
Beyond economics, Koster reaffirmed Bali’s development philosophy based on three key pillars: nature, people, and culture. Through the Ekonomi Kerthi Bali framework, the provincial government is driving transformation toward organic agriculture, clean energy, competitive local industries, and culture- and environment-based tourism.
“Culture is the source, and tourism is the result. If we preserve our culture, tourism will flourish naturally. Our goal is a unified Bali—one island, one system, one management,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), highlighted the importance of BKSAP’s support for sustainable development in Bali.
“Bali doesn’t need massive promotions; what we need is strong branding that emphasizes environmental and cultural preservation. Sustainability should be the face of Bali’s tourism,” he stated.
The visit of BKSAP DPR RI is expected to strengthen Bali’s position in global cultural and economic diplomacy, while fostering closer synergy between the central and provincial governments to ensure that the island’s development remains sustainable—preserving Bali not just as a global tourism destination, but as a symbol of harmony between nature, people, and culture.***
