Bali's Hotel Industry Benefits from US Dollar Strengthening

The strengthening of the United States dollar, which touched the level of Rp 18,000 on Thursday (4/6/2026), has not yet shaken the confidence of US investors in the investment prospects in Bali. Business players assess that various sectors still have opportunities for growth, particularly tourism. General Manager of The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud, Marriott International, Saraswati Subadia, said the stronger dollar actually provides a positive impact for the hotel industry. “The impact of the dollar for us in the hospitality industry, in hotels, actually improves things. So the business currently happening has returned, not yet 100 percent normal, but it has increased by around 10 percent,” she said during an Executive Briefing held by the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) in Kuta, Badung, Thursday (4/6/2026). According to Saraswati, the stronger dollar also does not significantly affect hotel operations because most raw material and operational needs involve local suppliers. Meanwhile, USABC representative Angga Antagia responded to questions regarding the impact of the stronger US dollar on investment hesitation among American companies in Indonesia. He assessed that the business world always seeks opportunities amidst various global economic challenges. The stronger dollar and global supply chain disruptions have not caused US companies to lose confidence in Indonesia. “So despite the dollar skyrocketing, and also perhaps supply being affected globally, we believe that every industry sector within USABC members always finds a way because Indonesia cannot simply be abandoned,” he explained. According to Angga, Indonesia remains a strategic market for United States companies. In fact, a number of USABC member companies have invested in Indonesia for decades to more than 100 years. “So, this does not necessarily mean we will retreat. Instead, we are looking for opportunities that can be developed, what positive aspects can be seen, and navigating the risks so they do not have a wider impact,” he added. Although optimistic, Saraswati acknowledged the hotel sector is more focused on the energy issue as a risk that needs to be anticipated. “We need to pay a lot of attention to the energy side. That is what we currently need to focus on more, where the supply comes from,” she revealed. Saraswati gave examples of electricity supply readiness, generator stocks, and the availability of fuel such as diesel as concerns for the hotel industry in Bali. Nonetheless, Saraswati assessed that Bali still has high competitiveness as a tourist and investment destination, particularly in the tourism sector. “From a competitive perspective, of course Bali, the island of Bali, is still very attractive to be a competition destination, especially in the field of tourism,” she concluded.