TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In 2023, the World Travel & Tourism Council deemed Bali as one of the tourist destinations suffering from overtourism. It was apparent on Dec. 29, when the holiday was at its peak, causing traffic jams in southern Bali in which people spent hours on the road just to reach the airport.

This issue was one of the concluded agenda during the meeting between Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno with PT AP I in Bali this week.

In a press conference cited on Thursday, the ministry mentioned that one of the measures to resolve the issue is by expanding tourist destinations to northern Bali, such as Buleleng and Karangasem, as well as western Bali such as Jembrana, and eastern Bali in Kelungkung.

This measure will be conducted to provide wider tourism choices in the hope of avoiding southern Bali overcrowding.

To avoid traffic jams, the police have been implementing a one-way traffic system. "We have started its simulation and coordination. We also plan to introduce LRT and sea-based transport. Thus, in Canggu, Jimbaran, and Kuta sea taxis could be implemented which will support tourism in Bali," Sandiaga said on Thursday.

The minister also said Bali needs to increase its connectivity with Indonesia's main target markets, such as Australia, Europe, Asia, and America.

"There are several additional flights to add in 2024, including for Turkish Airlines, Etihad, and a number of additional international aviation airlines," he said.

According to Sandiaga, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is expected to serve 24,169,561 passengers, a similar amount to the pre-pandemic situation.

MILA NOVITA

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