Indonesia

The Indonesian Tourism Minister has stressed the government’s commitment to safety, and has noted that the ministry will prioritise supervision, comprehensive audits, and mandatory retraining in safety techniques and emergency evacuations for operators, porters and guides. They will also increase their efforts to educate international tourists on using official operators and safety equipment

The West Nusa Tenggara provincial government will work to improve regulations for climbing procedures on Mt Rinjani following the death of a Brazilian tourist

Deputy Environment Minister called on communities and stakeholders to work together to achieve the 100% waste management target by 2029. He said the ministry serves not only as a regulator, but also a driver of change along with local communities and businesses. Indonesia generates 56.63 million tons of waste annually, but only 22.09 million tons are managed properly, with the actual waste management rate going as low as 9%-10%. He added that open dumping processes, such as in Bantar Gebang and Sari Mukti landfills in West Java, contribute to methane emissions, which are 34X more potent than carbon dioxide. He pointed out that due to inadequate waste management, microplastics are now detected in rivers, drinking water, and even in placentas and breast milk. The government introduced several solutions such as waste sorting machines, Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)-based incentive programs, and smoke-free incinerators during the 2025 World Environment Day expo

The President inaugurated the Ngoerah Sun Wellness and Aesthetic Centre (NSWAC) in Denpasar, Bali on 25 Jun. NSWAC aims to reduce outbound Indonesian medical tourists by offering world-class health and aesthetic services domestically. The President said this will help to strengthen the economy by reducing overseas spending and attracting foreign patients to Indonesia

Tour operators said the frequent volcanic activities of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), over the past two years have disrupted travel and business activities. The CEO of NTT DMC said there was a drop in bookings for the region in 2024, and is worried about cancellations during the high season in 2025. A&T Holidays frequently shares information and recommends that all customers purchase travel insurance. Floressa Bali Tours’ Managing Director said they have alternative routes, such as sea travel from Labuan Bajo to Bali, or ferry and land connections to Bima or Lombok. He added that rebooking after a cancelled flight is difficult due to limited seat availability. The Chairman of A&T Holidays hopes the Tourism Ministry will encourage airlines to be more adaptive to force majeure events

The Brazilian tourist who fell down a ravine at Mount Rinjani, Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, was found dead by the authorities. The rescue attempt was hindered by the weather and terrain. National Search and Rescue Agency Head said they will evacuate her body on 25 Jun following bad weather

Deputy Tourism Minister called for an increase in security in Bali following a fatal shooting involving Australian visitors at Vila Casa Santisya in Munggu Village

FINNS Recreation Club, Bali, said they will lay off 157 staff as part of the company’s business strategy

The Bali Government collected 318 billion IDR through the Foreign Tourism Levy (PWA) in 2024, surpassing the 250 billion IDR target. Bali Provincial Tourism Office’s marketing head said the funds were used to improve Bali’s waste management and preserve Balinese culture by supporting the annual Bali Art Festival and funding artists' communities. The government targets to collect 325 billion IDR in 2025, +30% more than the 2024 goal

The Indonesian Government is considering adding Brazil to its visa-free visit (BVK) facility

The Deputy Tourism Minister said there is no impact on Australian tourist arrivals to Bali following a shooting incident involving Australians on 14 Jun. In the incident, 1 victim died, another person was injured, and the police arrested 3 Australian national suspects. The Tourism Ministry asked hotel operators to improve their security measures

Virtuoso will organise Virtuoso Connects on 27 Jun at Andaz Bali in partnership with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, following the launch of the firm’s North and Southeast Asia regional team. Virtuoso’s preferred partners, such as Andaz Bali, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Singapore, Jumeirah Bali, Raffles Bali, The Londoner Macao, The Ritz-Carlton Bali, and W Bali – Seminyak, will take part in this event. Virtuoso’s member agencies, such as 360 Private Travel, Blantara Travel, Blue Sky Escapes, CRIL Privée & Cie, Holiday Tours & Travel, Paris Class, Travellino, and Truvi, will also take part in the event

The Chairman of the Southwest Papua chapter of the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) warned that the sudden closure of Wayag Islands will damage Raja Ampat’s brand image. He added that with new mining sites emerging on Kawe and Batang Peleu islands, the mining activities are more visible to the visitors, and it will damage the reputation of pristine nature. He said Raja Ampat attracts environmentally conscious visitors from Europe and North America. The indigenous landowners are protesting the government’s decision to revoke 4 nickel mining permits. Some local community leaders argue that tourism has imposed restrictions on their livelihoods and only offers limited economic returns, while mining promises jobs to the local community despite its environmental damages. The Tourism Minister said the safety and comfort of tourists are top priorities. The Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Home Affairs, security forces, and local community leaders are working together to maintain the stability and safety of Raja Ampat. The Ministry of Home Affairs asked the Southwest Papua Provincial Government and the Raja Ampat Regency Government to protect the tourists from potential disturbances. The government is drafting a master plan to integrate tourism development with environmental protection and community welfare. This will ensure sustainable investment while upholding Raja Ampat’s UNESCO Global Geopark status

The Ministry of Tourism will push the #diIndonesiaAja campaign to boost national tourists during the Jun-Jul mid-year school holiday period. They are also working with OTAs to feature bundled and themed packages

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries clarified Indonesian law does not allow sales of islands, following Ritan, Tokongsendok, Nakok, and Mala islands in Riau listed for sale on a trading platform. The Director General of Marine and Marine Space Management at the Ministry said land control on small islands is capped at 70% for islands over 1,000 hectares, while the state must retain at least 30% of the land to safeguard national sovereignty. He added that the term ‘selling islands’ doesn’t exist; what was involved was the transfer of land rights in the form of leasing. He stressed that Indonesian islands cannot be owned by foreign nationals. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs will block the sites that illegally market Indonesian islands

The Culture Minister called the Bali Arts Festival a regional cultural advancement. He praised the Bali Government for its consistency in holding the event since 1979. The 47th Bali Arts Festival was held at the Werdhi Budaya Art Centre, Bali

The Trade Policy Agency’s Head of International Trade Policy said green financing schemes remain inaccessible to most SMEs. She blamed the complex requirements, including long-term commitment and consistency, for this. Indonesia has introduced green policies, such as a green taxonomy and carbon market road map, but the impact remains limited. Indonesia’s 2025 Sustainable Trade and Investment Report by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) shows that green industry policies remain focused on technical and supply-side measures such as energy efficiency and emission cuts, but the market demand, financing, and investment support are still limited. The report also found the carbon trading system remains voluntary and unenforced

The Environment Minister warned of the disturbances to biodiversity in small islands such as Raja Ampat. He said the disturbances have become a global concern. He added that small islands have become vulnerable as they become sites for extracting minerals, such as nickel mining. He also highlighted potential declines in air quality in many urban areas. The Jakarta Special Region Provincial Health Service’s report shows that almost 7.6 million people are exposed to respiratory infections. He asked the transportation and industrial sectors to address sources of air pollution. He added the ministry has supervised 48 industrial partners in the Greater Jakarta area and encourages them to use Euro 4 equivalent fuel to reduce the pollutants

The Tourism Ministry has selected Banyuwangi, East Java, as a pilot site for the Clean Tourism Movement (GWB). The Minister asked Banyuwangi and 16 other villages to serve as national pilot sites for realising quality and sustainable tourism. Banyuwangi has implemented best practices in waste management, and it’s a model for socio-ecological transformation in tourism sector. GWB aims to promote clean, healthy, and competitive tourist destinations. GWB will allow both public and private sectors to come together and create a positive impact on the community and to the tourism tourism ecosystem

The Deputy Tourism Minister said domestic tourist trips reached 1 billion in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels of 722.2 million trips. In 2025, the government is targeting 1.08 billion domestic tourists and 14.6-16 million international tourists. She added this trend shows a strong recovery after the pandemic and said that, “domestic tourists are the backbone of national tourism. Thus, we must not discriminate against domestic tourists”. She added domestic tourists are important for maintaining the sustainability of the tourism sector in Indonesia

The Minister for Culture urged businesses and regional governments to work together to establish museums to provide education to youth and support their character building. He said the government has a special fund allocation to support building museums. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said there are 442 museums across Indonesia, with Jakarta and Central Java having the highest number of museums, with 63 each

The Tourism and Manpower Ministries signed an MoU to improve the capacity of human resources in the tourism sector. The cooperation will involve increasing the capacity of tourism human resources and institutions, exchanging data and information, facilitating workforce placement, and expanding job opportunities in the tourism sector. The Tourism Minister said that by the end of 2024, the number of Tourism Workers had reached 25 million, with more than 50% concentrated in West Java, East Java, and Central Java. For the first phase, the ministries will implement the human resource development program in Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, Borobudur Temple in Central Java, Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, and Lombok-Gili Tramena in West Nusa Tenggara. The Ministry of Manpower operates 4 Vocational and Productivity Development Centres (BPVP) offering tourism-related programs which can be synergised with the Tourism Ministry’s Tourism Polytechnics

Indonesia is expected to sign a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) later in 2025, which could help boost crude palm oil, coffee and rubber. The EAEU members are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia

Putin described Indonesia as one of Russia’s key partners in APAC during the Indonesian President’s visit to Russia, noting that trade volume between the two countries had increased 40% from Jan-Apr 2025 alone

The Bali Beach Convention Centre will host the first Bali Wellness and Beauty (BWB) Expo 2025 from 27-29 Jun under the theme, “Grow-well in Bali: Where Wellness Becomes Beauty”. The event is expected to attract 1,000 participants and over 70 exhibitors. This event will feature a B2B session, educational sessions, workshops, beauty treatment demonstrations, and activities like yoga and meditation

The Malukku Government will introduce 4 strategic programs to develop productive and high-potential tourist destinations. The programs will focus on improving cultural, marine, and local culinary-based destinations, including the Pesona Meti Kei Festival, the Banda People’s Festival, and the Gempar Maluku regional branding campaign, which is handled by the PKK women’s organisation. In 2024, Maluku welcomed 402,843 tourist arrivals, including 13,098 international and 389,745 domestic tourists

Bali Governor launched the new Indonesia Tsunami Early Warning System (InaTEWS) built by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, as part of the Indonesian Disaster Resilience Initiative Project (IDRIP)

The Tourism Ministry is working with the Defence Ministry and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to organise training activities for operators of kitchens to support the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. This training will focus on young Indonesians. The government targets to set up 30,000 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) to expand the MBG program to 82.9 million recipients. BNG said through 1,785 SPPGs, 5 million residents benefited from the program

The Chief Championship Officer of Formula E is interested in hosting the event in the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit, Ancol, during the 2026 race calendar. He said Jakarta has become one of the largest international fan bases for Formula E. He added that the Jakarta provincial government and Formula E management are working to include Jakarta in future race calendars. The Jakarta E-Prix will take place on 21 Jun with 11 teams competing in the race. The contract for the Jakarta E-Prix will conclude in 2025, prompting renewal discussions

Bank Indonesia (BI) projected that Indonesia’s economy will improve in H2 2025 with the growth between 4.6%-5.4%

Recent data shows 45% of the 129 million international visitors to ASEAN in 2024 were within ASEAN countries. Indonesia only accounts for 6.45% of visitors from the ASEAN market. Batam and Bintan near Singapore and Malaysia welcomed 1.3 million foreign visitors in 2024, accounting for 9.47% of all international arrivals to Indonesia

TravelInsurance.com.au survey shows the top 5 destinations for Australians are Japan, Europe, New Zealand, Bali, and Thailand

Bali has set a target to eliminate plastic waste by 2027. The Head of the Environment and Forestry Service of Bali said they designed waste management as a super-priority program. He said this can be achieved only if all parties implement this program with strong discipline. Bali generates 4,281 tonnes of waste daily, and plastic accounts for 13.9%. 48% of the total waste is collected and processed at landfills, but the rest will be burned, buried, or end up in rivers and the ocean

The Tourism Minister said during the Bali and Beyond Travel Exhibition (BBTF) that she wants Bali to become a gateway to Indonesia. She also called for more effort to promote emerging destinations in Bali, such as Jembrana and Buleleng, as well as Banyuwangi, East Java

Indonesia Immigration clarified that the updated visa classifications will help visitors choose the right visa. The Directorate General of Immigration for Indonesia said they will issue C7C index visas for art and cultural activities, and skills in fields other than the music field. E28F will be issued for those who invest in the new Indonesian capital, and the E28G visa index will be available for foreign investors to stay in Indonesia. He said Indonesia have streamlined 31 types of visas to only 6 visas

Agoda data showed that Indonesia is the second most in-demand destination in Asia for European travellers for their summer vacation from Jul-Aug 2025

China added Indonesia to its 240-hour visa-free transit program. The visa is offered to tourists from 55 countries. Indonesian travellers can enter China in any of 60 ports across 24 provincial-level regions and stay up to 240 hours or 10 days before heading to a 3rd destination

The Bali governor said that the provincial government will form task forces to look at waste and traffic management on the island. He reported that from Jan-May 2025, Bali’s international arrival grew 11% YoY, and that Bali’s tourism contributed 44% to the national foreign exchange earnings

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Economic Impact Research (EIR) report for 2025 shows that Indonesia’s international visitor spending is expected to reach 344 trillion IDR in 2025, +12% vs pre-pandemic levels, and an all-time high record. Domestic tourism contributed 381.4 trillion IDR in 2024. In 2025, the travel and tourism sectors are expected to contribute 1,269.8 trillion IDR, 5.5% of GDP and +21% vs pre-pandemic levels. The industry is expected to support 14 million jobs nationwide. In 2024, the industry contributed 1,138 trillion IDR to the economy, 5.1% of GDP, and supported 13 million jobs. By 2035, the industry is expected to contribute 1,897 trillion IDR to the Indonesian economy and support 17 million jobs

Local community members in Bali voiced concerns over legal action against 45 building owners for violating laws in Bingin Beach, Uluwatu. They worried that the demolition would impact their businesses and tourism in the area. Bali Senators called for 45 buildings in Bingin Beach to be demolished last week. The Head of Satpol PP is waiting for final orders from the Bali Government on the demolition of the illegal buildings

Penglipuran Village, Bali received the Kalpataru Lestari Appreciation Award from the Ministry of Environment during the World Environment Day ceremony. The village's sustainable bamboo forestry is part of the tourism experience and a major source of income for the communities. From the village’s area of 112 hectares, 45 hectares are bamboo forests that are sustainable

Analysis by Amadeus in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) World Tourism Organisation of passenger traffic and capacity trends from Mar 2023 to Feb 2025 shows; 9.3% increase in air passenger volume and scheduled seats for the Asia Pacific region Macao, Indonesia, and Vietnam recorded 66% to 99% of search growth, among the fastest-growing outbound markets Demand for travel from China to APAC increased by 235% YoY From India to APAC recorded +13% in actual travel volume Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia recorded over 30% YoY growth in inbound travellers Cambodia and Indonesia are recording double-digit booking growth

Indonesia Immigration announced that a single visa type can be used for multiple purposes, which initially required separate visa categories. Visa Free Index A1 for tourism, can now also be used for business and medical treatment

The Health Minister said Indonesia has the potential to generate $84 billion USD in GDP from health tourism. He added that Indonesia’s average life expectancy is around 70 years, and individuals spend up to $140 USD per year on health. This will bring the total annual health expenditure of $40 billion USD. He added that by advancing health tourism, the wealthy and upper-middle-class citizens will spend on health care locally in Labuan Bajo, Bali, or Batam. He said if Indonesia follows a pattern similar to Malaysia – where each resident spends $400 USD on health annually, with an average life expectancy of 76 years and a population of 280 million – the potential could reach $84 billion USD or 6% of the GDP growth. Indonesians spend $10 billion USD on health services in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and the US

The Magelang Government in Central Java asked the Culture Ministry to increase daily visitor limits at Borobudur Temple to 10,000. Magelang Regent said the local businesses are struggling due to the daily visitors limitation of 1,200 people introduced in 2023 to preserve the temple. Injourney, which manages the temple plans, is to increase the daily visitor limit to 5,000 people

Businesses in Bali are facing challenges in adapting to the single-use plastics ban due to a lack of support and guidance from the government. Many cafes, coffee shops and restaurants have replaced single-use plastic cups with paper alternatives. But the change does not address the waste problem in Bali, according to the Director of the Bali Environmental Education Centre (PPLH). He said paper cups are harder to recycle because they contain a plastic lining to make them waterproof, and using paper cups to serve hot beverages poses health risks to consumers due to chemical and microplastic particles

The Mandiri Spending Index’s (MSI) data shows the average spending decline after the holiday peak was around 7.34% in 2025 vs 8.67% recorded in 2023 and 2024. The data also showed spending during holiday periods recorded +14.4% vs non-holiday periods. GDP for Q1 2025 for household consumption recorded +4.89% YoY vs 4.91% in 2024. Holiday spending by the middle-income group was +17.8% vs the normal period, while upper-income group spending was +16.9%. The middle-income consumers tend to spend more on fuel and tickets for short-distance travel. The category also recorded an increase in restaurant spending compared to the upper-income consumers. Upper-income consumers take longer trips, showing higher airline spending following school holidays. Holidays in the beginning or the end of the month recorded +11.5% in spending, while mid-month holidays recorded a +2.6% in spending. This is linked to the payday for formal employees in Indonesia, which is usually towards the end of each month, and holidays closer to the payday will boost travel and spending. Growth according to regions is; Kalimantan, 12.9% Sulawesi, 7.7% Sumatra, 7.1% West Nusa Tenggara, 10.43% Yogyakarta, 1.05% Bali, 1.43% Jakarta, 5.04% Banten, 6.65%

The 11th edition of Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2025 began on 11 Jun with the theme, “Indonesia: Preserving Green Nature and Cultural Heritage for the World”. The first program of the event is “Tourism Talk Show: Achieving Sustainable Tourism with Intangible Cultural Heritage”. BBTF 2025 will focus on spiritual and retreat tourism, medical and wellness tourism, adventure tourism, and luxury accommodation and services. 529 buyers from 45 countries, including Australia, India, the UAE, and the Philippines, will attend the event. Sellers from 499 companies across 284 booths from Indonesia, Spain, Malaysia, Singapore, the US, Namibia, and Thailand will promote their products

Bali senators urge the government to demolish 46 illegal tourist villas, hotels, and guesthouses in the Bingin Beach resort area, Uluwatu

The Government revokes mining permits for 4 out of 5 mining companies in Raja Ampat for violating regulations. The companies involved are PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Nurham, PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining and PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa. The Energy and Mineral Resources Minister said the surrounding environment was not harmed as claimed by the environmentalists. Greenpeace Indonesia welcomed the decision and asked the government to take further action

The Probolinggo Transportation Agency Head issued an advisory against automatic motorbikes while visiting Mount Bromo following reported traffic accidents. He said automatic motorbikes are not designed for steep slopes and other extreme conditions. The warning was published ahead of the 4-day Idul Adha long weekend

Bali Beach Convention Centre in Sanur Special Economic Zone is actively pursuing medical-related conventions and association meetings. The General Manager of The Meru Sanur and Bali Beach Hotel, which manages the convention centre, said they target to attract Indonesians to seek medical services in Sanur instead of travelling to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, or South Korea. The convention centre has a capacity of up to 4,000 people in a theatre-style or 2,000 in banquet-style, while accommodating 400-500 people for a small group. The Meru Sanur and Bali Beach Hotel offer 184 and 273 rooms, while Bali International Hospital has a 250-bed capacity. There are plans to open another 4-star hotel and 12 clinics. Bali Beach Convention Centre has hosted 250 business events in various sectors

Accommodation providers in Bali must report all overnight guests to immigration through the Foreigner Monitoring Application (APOA) as part of a crackdown on foreigners who violate the conditions of their visas by working, running businesses, or engaging in criminal activity

Australian Deputy Prime Minister clarified travel advisory from Smartraveler to “exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Indonesia”, focused on security risks in sea transportation. He stated Bali remains an important destination for Australians. The advisory was issued following cases of drowning in coastal areas involving Australian tourists

Grab denied that it is in talks with GoTo Gojek Tokopedia on a potential merger deal. Danantara's Managing Director of Investment said there are no such discussions

The North Sulawesi Governor will work together with relevant stakeholders to improve the province’s tourism sector. He said flights from Malaysia, Singapore, and parts of China were stopped during the pandemic. Following the resumption of flights from China, the province is recording positive trends. He stated that more international flights from several countries will resume. The province welcomed 3,497 visitors in Feb and 4,403 in Mar

The Environment Ministry will take action against 4 nickel mining companies operating in Raja Ampat District, Southwest Papua. The minister said they will not allow any damage to the area, which is home to 533 coral species – which is 75% of the world’s coral species – 1,070 species of reef fish, and 699 types of molluscs. The ministry’s supervision found that nickel mining activities from 4 mining companies, including PT Gag Nikel operating on Gag Island, PT Anugerah Surya Pratama on Manuran Island, PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining on Kawei Island, and PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa on Manyaifun Island, have threatened the Raja Ampat ecosystem

Denpasar City Government said the Banyuwangi-Denpasar Fast Boat service is expected to operate soon despite works still underway. The service is expected to reduce travel time between Bali and East Java and will reduce traffic on the Denpasar-Gilimanuk Highway. Denpasar Mayor said no official partnership has been made between the transportation authorities of Denpasar and Banywangi, and there is no agreement signed between the local governments. Badung Regional Secretary said the construction of the new Canggu-Cemagu Boat Terminal will start in 2026 budget year

A ship carrying 89 passengers including crew capsized at Nusa Lembongan, Bali. No casualties were reported. 77 international and 12 local tourists were aboard the ship. Local residents and Tanjung Sanghyang Port staff rushed to help the passengers

The Home Minister has permitted regional governments to resume business trips and hold meetings in hotels and restaurants, in the hope to boost the MICE sector which has been struggling since the austerity measures. He noted that the cut in central government transfers to the regions was minor, and should not prevent them from holding activities externally, calling on local government to support those hotels and restaurants which are struggling

The government is planning to install a permanent stairlift at Borobudur Temple in Central Java to accommodate visitors with special needs to access the heritage site. A temporary stairlift was installed during the French President’s visit on 29 May

The Tourism Minister said that Raja Ampat people are committed to preserving the island as a tourism destination. She added that the local community are rejecting plans to expand nickel mining in the region

Waterbom Bali only sent 1.2% of total park waste to landfill in Q1 2025 and managed to recycle or compost 98.8% of all waste generated onsite. Waterbom Bali processes organic waste into compost onsite to regenerate gardens and reduce environmental impact. The park is moving towards its Net Zero 2033 target. In 2024, the park recorded 6,424 tonnes of CO2. The emissions increased compared to pre-pandemic levels due to construction and procurement needs. In 2024, the park became the first tourism business in Indonesia to receive Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) approval for its near-term emissions reduction targets. In 2024, Waterbom Bali; Achieved 100% renewable electricity through LN Renewable Energy Certificates (93%) and onsite solar power (7%) Installed new solar with capacity of 123.54 kW, generating 180,368 kWh annually and offsetting 160.5 tonnes of CO₂e/year Reduced groundwater consumption by 14% vs pre-pandemic levels Recycled 2,769 cubic metres of wastewater Captured an estimated 42,939 cubic metres of rainwater annually through 24 recharge wells Diverted 95.14% of total waste from landfills, including composting 97% of organic waste Planted 24,687 native trees and reforested 39.5 hectares in partnership with Yayasan ASRI

The Director General of the Marine Transportation Ministry announced that the new Bali Benoa Marina, within the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub, has been completed. The soft opening of the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub will be held in Oct 2025

Westin Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of the Westin Nirup Island Resorts, Batam, its 5th property in Indonesia. The resort is located a 20-minute ferry ride from HarbourFront Terminal, Singapore. The resort has 94 guest rooms and suites, and 52 private villas. The guests can use the on-site customs and immigration facilities, and a private marina with yacht docking

The Bali Governor has formed a special task force to crack down on illegal foreign-owned businesses following cases of permit violations by foreign investors. The team will consist of local stakeholders and tourism associations and will audit tourism business permits in Bali. The Governor will issue a notice to the Bali Public Order Agency and the Bali Police to take action against businesses which violate permits. He added all travel agencies, including those owned by foreigners, will be required to join the local tourism association for better management and oversight. Bali is facing various challenges such as traffic congestion, waste issues, illegal villas, and rowdy tourists. The existing regulations show foreign investments (PMA) businesses must have 10 billion IDR as a minimum capital, excluding the land and buildings value. However, businesses are exploiting loopholes in the Online Single Submission (OSS) system for business licensing to dominate business sectors even at the micro level. The Governor said more than 400 car rental and tour businesses in Badung Regency are owned by foreign nationals