Bali Implements Mandatory Tourist App to Promote Sustainable Travel; Bank Indonesia Adjusts Digital Payment Strategies as QRIS Boosts SME Digitalization
Jakarta, Indonesia — In a dynamic week of developments impacting Indonesia’s digital economy and regulatory landscape, several key announcements have been made that reflect the nation’s ongoing push towards innovation, sustainable tourism, and enhanced accountability.
Bali Launches “Love Bali” App to Support Responsible Tourism
Beginning early September 2025, Bali has introduced a mandatory requirement for international tourists to download the “Love Bali” mobile application prior to arrival. This initiative aims to enhance sustainable tourism practices by tracking tourist activities and encouraging compliance with local environmental and cultural regulations.
Officials describe the app as a comprehensive digital guide, offering verified information about popular destinations, cultural etiquette, and conservation efforts. The platform is designed not only as a travel aid but also as a tool to ensure that visitor behavior aligns with Bali’s sustainability goals, safeguarding the island’s unique natural and cultural heritage.
Bank Indonesia Supports SME Digitalization Through QRIS Expansion
Meanwhile, Bank Indonesia (BI) continues to drive digital payments adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) via significant growth in QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard). As of mid-2025, QRIS usage demonstrates remarkable penetration, with over 57 million users and about 39.3 million merchants actively using the system. Notably, SMEs constitute more than 93% of these merchants, underscoring their pivotal role in the digital ecosystem.
Transaction data underscore this success: 6.05 billion transactions were recorded, summing to a total value of 579 trillion Indonesian Rupiah (approximately USD 38 billion). This digital payment momentum bolsters financial inclusion and offers SMEs streamlined access to the digital economy.
In March 2025, Bank Indonesia launched QRIS Tap, a near-field communication (NFC) based payment method allowing swifter transactions via a simple tap on a mobile device. Rapid adoption followed, with nearly 48 million users and over 648,000 merchants by June 2025, particularly widespread in retail, food and beverage, and transportation sectors. This innovation represents the next phase of Indonesia’s strategy to drive financial inclusivity and operational efficiency in commerce.
Ensuring Sustainable Digital Growth Through Collaborative Efforts
Despite these advancements, challenges remain in fully realizing inclusive digital transformation across Indonesia’s diverse SME landscape. Experts emphasize the need for localized digital literacy programs, mentorship, tailored financing options, and robust partnerships between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and SMEs. Continuous evaluation and adaptation of such programs will be crucial to ensure broad-based, equitable access to digital tools and resources.
Context: Broader Developments in Indonesia’s Digital and Economic Sectors
These initiatives come amid notable events shaping Indonesia’s tech and economic environment. Bali’s move towards regulated and sustainable tourism parallels national efforts to elevate the country as an electrification hub, exemplified by Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast’s commitment to invest IDR 185 trillion (around USD 11.2 billion) in a new EV factory in West Java. This marks one of Southeast Asia’s largest automotive investments, leveraging Indonesia’s nickel reserves and strategic policies.
Simultaneously, the startup ecosystem faces heightened scrutiny following high-profile governance cases, including the detention of former Minister of Education and Gojek co-founder Nadiem Makarim on corruption charges related to state-funded education technology projects, and expanded investigations in the Tanihub agritech scandal involving state-linked investment fund mismanagement. These developments underscore the importance of transparency and accountability within Indonesia’s innovation landscape.
The growing digital footprint of Indonesia’s SMEs, powered by QRIS and related payment technologies, remains a bright spot fueling economic growth and broadening access to financial services across the archipelago.
As Indonesia accelerates its digital transformation journey, initiatives like Bali’s “Love Bali” app and Bank Indonesia’s QRIS system exemplify efforts to balance technological innovation with sustainability and governance — key pillars for the country’s inclusive and resilient future.
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