Bali’s busiest tourism district is preparing a broader campaign to improve the visitor experience, with officials in Badung Regency announcing tougher enforcement against illegal transport operators, street disorder and urban infrastructure issues as the island continues to welcome growing numbers of international travelers.
The measures form part of a wider effort by the local government to preserve the quality of Bali’s tourism while addressing long-standing concerns over congestion, public order, cleanliness and visitor safety in some of the island’s most visited destinations.
Illegal Transport and Street Disorder Under Increased Scrutiny
Badung Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa said authorities will expand routine inspections and joint patrols across tourism areas, targeting unauthorized transportation services operating without permits, alongside other public order issues.
The operations will involve municipal officers working together with Indonesia’s military and police, while the regency also coordinates with the Bali provincial government regarding regulations governing app-based transportation services.
Officials also said enforcement will continue against street begging and other activities considered disruptive to public order, including individuals commonly known in Indonesia as manusia silver—street performers who paint their bodies silver and solicit donations from motorists at busy intersections.
“Social issues such as street begging, silver-painted street performers and unauthorized online transportation services are already being addressed through routine inspections at major intersections,” Adi said during a regional parliament session on Tuesday.
Cleaning Up Bali’s Tourism Corridors
Beyond law enforcement, the government plans a series of beautification projects aimed at improving the appearance of Bali’s main tourism corridors.
The program includes burying overhead utility cables, upgrading roadside landscaping and accelerating beach clean-up operations through additional waste collection equipment.
“We are implementing a beautification concept by relocating utility cables underground along several roads and improving green spaces. Funding has also been allocated to strengthen beach cleaning operations so waste can be removed more quickly,” Adi said.
The announcement follows increasing public discussion over beach waste and visual clutter in several of Bali’s tourism districts, issues that regularly attract attention on social media and influence visitors’ perceptions of the island.
Tackling Traffic and Flooding
Infrastructure improvements also form part of the broader strategy.
The Badung administration said it will continue expanding road networks while prioritizing flood mitigation in areas frequently affected during heavy rainfall, particularly around Dewi Sri and Kunti, two busy corridors connecting Kuta, Legian and Seminyak.
Plans include normalizing approximately seven kilometers of the Tukad Mati River, improving drainage systems, and constructing a high-capacity flood control pumping station near the river mouth capable of discharging 30,000 liters of water per second.
Officials say the project is intended to reduce flooding that periodically disrupts traffic and tourism activities around Kuta.
Road improvements will also continue across South Kuta, Kuta and North Kuta, three of Bali’s busiest tourism districts.
A Broader Push to Protect Bali’s Tourism Reputation
The initiatives reflect a growing recognition among local authorities that maintaining Bali’s competitiveness requires more than attracting visitors. It also depends on improving the quality of public spaces, transportation, environmental management and everyday experiences for residents and tourists alike.
For international visitors, many of the measures target issues that most directly shape a holiday, from cleaner beaches and smoother traffic flow to better organized transport services and more attractive public streetscapes.
While officials have not announced a specific timeline for the new enforcement campaign, the program signals Badung’s intention to respond to challenges that have become increasingly visible as Bali’s tourism industry continues its rapid post-pandemic recovery.
