Bali Governor Urges Accommodation Platforms Not to List Unlicensed Villas

Badung, Bali (ANTARA) — Bali Governor Wayan Koster has urged online travel and accommodation marketing platforms not to list villas, rental homes or other lodgings in Bali that do not have business permits.

“If you want to market them, set a requirement and tell them to obtain permits first. If they want to join the marketing system, they must sort out their permits before being listed,” Koster told hundreds of tourism industry players at the 15th Bali Regional Conference of ASITA in Jimbaran, Badung regency, on Friday.

He said the measure was important to create fair business competition and safeguard the sustainability of tourism on the Island of the Gods.

Koster highlighted the presence of unlicensed accommodation businesses amid the growth of Bali’s tourism industry. He said the practice could create an uneven playing field between businesses that comply with the rules and those operating without permits.

He stressed that businesses which have met licensing requirements should have certainty in running their operations. Conversely, accommodation providers that have yet to comply should be encouraged to meet the applicable requirements.

According to Koster, unfair competition could disrupt the tourism ecosystem. If the situation is allowed to continue, he fears businesses that have so far complied with the rules may also disregard them as they come under competitive pressure.

Koster said enforcement was not merely an administrative matter, but part of efforts to maintain the quality and sustainability of Bali’s tourism industry. He wants the sector to develop through sound, high-quality and dignified business practices.

He also warned that promoting tourist destinations through digital platforms must go hand in hand with the responsibility to protect the tourism ecosystem.

“Promotion that successfully attracts tourists will not deliver sustainable benefits if the governance of the businesses involved is problematic,” he said.

Koster therefore called on all industry players, including accommodation operators and online marketing service providers, to help safeguard Bali’s tourism industry. He urged all parties not to focus solely on profit, but also to consider compliance with regulations and the interests of local communities.