Now Bali turns its back on tourists: ‘Island of the gods’ moves to stop more hotels, nightclubs and luxury villas as residents hit back at rowdy Western holidaymakers

Bali has demanded a ban on the construction of new hotels and nightclubs in tourist spots on the island.

It’s because noisy backpackers, traffic and the conversion of rice fields into luxury villas are infuriating locals on the ‘island of the gods’.

This year, a British tourist was arrested for driving a stolen truck through a toll gate at high speed.

And last year, a Russian man was deported after he was caught posing nude on Mount Agung, one of Bali’s holiest sites.

The plan, which covers four tourist attractions, was formally requested by Bali’s provincial government this week.

Noisy backpackers, traffic and the conversion of rice fields into luxury villas have enraged locals living on the ‘island of the gods’ (stock photo)

The plan, which would involve four tourist attractions, was formally requested by Bali’s provincial government this week (stock photo)

The Indonesian tourism sector is currently considering a ban, but the timing and duration are still unclear.

“The Bali provincial government has proposed a moratorium on the construction of hotels, villas, nightclubs and beach clubs in four busy areas,” said Ida Ayu Indah Yustikarini, spokesperson for the Bali Tourism Board.

“The aim is to stimulate high-quality tourism.”

The Indonesian government is believed to support the plans, with a senior official saying they had already agreed to a moratorium.

“No more villas in rice fields… I want Bali to become a clean destination, with a good environment, a quality destination,” said Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia’s coordinating minister of maritime and investment affairs, according to local news website Detik.

He also said the ban could last as long as 10 years, but the exact time frame is still under debate.

Bali is the most popular island in Indonesia, with 3.5 million tourists visiting the island between January and June this year alone.

Since the island reopened to tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of foreign visitors has increased significantly, with 541 hotels on the island, up from 507 in 2019.

Bali is Indonesia’s most popular island, with 3.5 million tourists visiting between January and June this year alone

The number of foreign arrivals has increased dramatically since the island reopened to tourism following the Covid-19 pandemic, with 541 hotels on the island, up from 507 in 2019.

Photo shows the scene after a British tourist drove through a toll gate in Bali

Shocked police officers stopped at the destroyed toll barrier as the truck sped away

However, its growing popularity has led to an angry reaction from locals, who regularly complain on social media about traffic jams, crime and overdevelopment.

Bali is one of many destinations taking measures to combat the effects of overtourism.

This summer, Spain has seen a wave of anti-tourism protests, with visitors to Barcelona even being sprayed with water pistols by protesters.

The mayor of the Catalan capital has also promised to put an end to short-term rentals for tourists in the city within five years.

Mayor Jaume Collboni is convinced that the move will make Barcelona more affordable for young people who have been forced to leave their homes due to rising rents.

And in Mallorca, residents have started a movement to ‘reclaim the beaches’ from tourists, with demonstrations throughout the summer.

Thousands of Mallorcans took to the streets on July 21 to protest against the island’s ‘overtourism’

A protester holds up a sign that reads ‘stop speculation in housing, SOS residents’

Protesters hold up a sign reading ‘tourism yes, but not like that’ during the march in Palma

Shocking video shows a woman sitting on a path leading to the popular Caló des Moro cove as a local resident shouts at potential tourists: “Go, go, go!”

Italy is reportedly considering introducing a tourist tax and Greece wants to take a tougher approach to cruise ships.