Indonesian Vice President Urges Continued Support for Bali’s Tourism and Cultural Heritage
Denpasar, July 5, 2025 — Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has called on the people of Bali to keep preserving and promoting the island’s rich tourism and cultural heritage. Speaking at the 2025 Bali Arts Festival (PKB) held in Denpasar on July 4, Vice President Gibran highlighted the strong rebound of Bali’s tourism sector following the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized the importance of sustained efforts to support the industry.
“I received a message from the governor earlier that, after the COVID-19 pandemic, hotel occupancy and tourist arrivals have continued to rise,” Gibran said. “I thank all of you. Let’s keep supporting Bali so that hotel occupancy, tourist numbers, and the overall tourism sector continue to grow.”
The Bali Arts Festival, now in its 47th year, is a flagship cultural event that significantly contributes to attracting visitors to the island. The festival was held at the Ardha Candra Open Stage in Taman Budaya and attracted large crowds, showcasing public enthusiasm for Bali’s cultural offerings. “After the pandemic, Bali bounced back quickly. This proves that Bali remains one of the most popular destinations, and the festival is always highly anticipated,” he noted. “The festival started at 7 p.m., but the venue was already full by 6 p.m. — a clear sign of public enthusiasm.”
Vice President Gibran also encouraged Indonesians nationwide to continue supporting local tourism as a means of fostering economic growth and maintaining Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global tourism landscape. “We must be vigilant not to fall behind other countries in tourism development,” he warned.
He highlighted that the Bali Arts Festival is not only vital for tourism but also plays a pivotal role in driving the creative economy by providing a platform for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “From ride-hailing drivers to hotels, taxis, food vendors, snack stalls, craft shops, and souvenir sellers — everyone is busy. This shows Bali’s economy continues to grow,” he emphasized.
Strengthening tourism is part of advancing President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to boost domestic tourism in Indonesia. “We will keep adding exciting destinations. And once again, thank you to everyone who made today’s event a success,” Gibran concluded.
The Bali Arts Festival is also featured in the Ministry of Tourism’s Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) calendar, underscoring its significance as a national cultural and tourism event.
Related Developments:
- Indonesian government initiatives offer incentives to regions contributing to tourism foreign exchange.
- The Krisna-Saba Festival continues Bali’s cultural preservation efforts.
- Foreign tourists are increasingly staying longer at non-star hotels in Bali, according to the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
The Vice President’s remarks underscore Indonesia’s commitment to harnessing cultural heritage as a foundation for sustainable tourism development, economic growth, and community prosperity in Bali and beyond.
Reporter: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan
Editor: Anton Santoso
Source: ANTARA News
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