Indonesian Vice President Calls for Continued Support of Bali’s Tourism Heritage
Denpasar, July 5, 2025 — Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has urged the Balinese people and the nation at large to sustain their efforts in preserving and promoting Bali’s rich tourism and cultural heritage. The message was delivered during the 47th Bali Arts Festival (PKB) held at the Ardha Candra Open Stage in Taman Budaya, Denpasar, on July 4. Highlighting Bali’s strong recovery following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vice President Gibran noted a significant increase in hotel occupancy rates and tourist arrivals across the island. He attributed this positive trend to the resilience and enduring appeal of Bali as a premier tourist destination.
“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, a cornerstone event in Bali’s cultural calendar, draws large crowds each year and plays a pivotal role in attracting tourists to the island. This year’s festival demonstrated the public’s enthusiasm, with the venue reaching full capacity well before the official 7 p.m. start time.
“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,” Gibran remarked. “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 stressed the importance of sustained support for local tourism as Indonesia competes on the global stage. He cautioned against complacency, urging Indonesians to actively nurture tourism development to avoid falling behind other nations.
Beyond tourism, the Vice President emphasized the broader economic contributions of events like the Bali Arts Festival. He pointed out that the festival supports the creative economy and provides opportunities for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including ride-hailing drivers, hotels, taxi services, food vendors, craft shops, and souvenir sellers. This diverse participation reflects the festival’s integral role in driving Bali’s economic growth.
“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 said.
Vice President Gibran also underlined how strengthening tourism aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to promote domestic tourism across Indonesia. He affirmed ongoing government efforts to introduce new and exciting destinations to further boost the sector.
“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 part of the Ministry of Tourism’s Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) calendar, underscoring its significance as a cultural and tourism highlight.
Related Developments:
-
Foreign tourists are reportedly staying longer at non-star hotels in Bali, according to recent data by Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
-
The Krisna-Saba Festival continues to promote Bali’s cultural preservation efforts, supported by the Ministry of Tourism.
Photo credit: ANTARA/Ni Putu Putri Muliantari
Translator: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan | Editor: Anton Santoso
© ANTARA News 2025
Add a comment