Bali Tour Operators Adjust Itineraries as Fuel Station Queues Cause Traffic Congestion

I Putu Winastra, chairman of the Bali chapter of the Association of Indonesian Travel Agencies (ASITA), told reporters in Jimbaran, Badung Regency, that no tour cancellations have been recorded despite traffic congestion caused by long queues at fuel stations (SPBU) across Bali. However, travel agencies have begun shifting itineraries for tourists already in Bali, moving activities originally planned for South Bali to less crowded areas.

The congestion has become a scheduling challenge particularly for travel agencies using small vehicles such as vans. Winastra noted that ASITA members have also experienced delays reaching Ngurah Rai International Airport due to traffic around fuel stations.

Some visits originally scheduled for specific destinations, such as Tanah Lot, have been rerouted to closer locations due to congestion. Travel agencies say they have been transparent with tourists about the traffic situation, and visitors have reportedly understood and accepted the adjustments without canceling entire itineraries.

Winastra expressed hope that the congestion issue would not persist for long, warning that prolonged traffic could affect tourist comfort and make it harder for agencies to meet planned schedules. He cited a past case where traffic delays nearly caused members to miss flights, and called for wider road access on routes leading to the airport.

If the situation continues, Winastra said it would become difficult to predict the impact on tourist arrivals. He noted that travel agencies may explain the situation to overseas partners as a force majeure condition if it meets the relevant criteria, emphasizing that Bali's tourism sustainability depends not only on attractions but also on smooth access and visitor comfort.