New openings (hotels, restaurants, beach clubs), festivals, and local culture news.
The Bali Friendship Hockey Festival took place on September 12-13, 2026 at Lapangan Banteng in Seminyak, Bali, bringing together hockey teams from across Indonesia as well as Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The event aimed to develop athletes, strengthen international collaboration, and promote sport tourism.
Read more →The international art event Art & Bali 2026 opened on September 11, 2026, at Nuanu Creative City in Tabanan, Bali. Running through September 13, the exhibition features 24 galleries and small businesses selling artworks ranging from a few hundred thousand to hundreds of millions of rupiah, depending on type, form, and size.
Read more →Indonesian carrier TransNusa began daily direct flights between Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport and Phuket, Thailand, on September 9. The new route allows travelers to combine both destinations without a layover, and TransNusa becomes the second airline after Indonesia AirAsia to operate this route.
Read more →Cok Ace, chairman of Bali's Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), reflected on Bali tourism's history since 1927 and expressed concern that sacred cultural practices, such as Barong and Sanghyang dances, are being over-commercialized for performances in hotel lobbies. He argued that Bali's traffic and waste problems stem from "over-concentration" rather than "overtourism," and called for future tourism to be measured by value created rather than visitor numbers.
Read more →Ubud native Kadek Wardana shares his joy at being promoted to goalkeeper coach for Bali United's senior team, while expressing sadness over the prolonged tourism slump in his hometown. He notes that foreign tourists have left Bali and domestic visitors now prefer coastal areas like Uluwatu and Canggu over Ubud.
Read more →On September 7, 2026, the closing ceremony of the Lembongan Surf Team Music Festival 2026 was held at Mahagiri Beach in Jungutbatu Village, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency. Attended by the Klungkung Regent and other officials, police secured the event given the large number of participants and spectators.
Read more →Swiss-Belhotel International officially opened Ashva Swiss-Belresort Ubud in Tegallalang, Bali on September 5, 2026. The new resort offers 90 rooms and suites plus wooden pavilions, targeting families, wellness travelers, and corporate events.
Read more →Indonesia's tourism industry association (Asppi) has praised a planned new direct flight route between Bali (Denpasar) and Belitung (Tanjungpandan) as a strategic move to expand access for foreign tourists. However, industry representatives note that success will depend on airline selection, destination readiness, and international marketing strategy.
Read more →An international hospital, Bali International Hospital, opened in June 2025 within Sanur's medical special economic zone in southeastern Bali. The zone allows foreign doctors to practice under special exemptions and is attracting overseas clinics, aiming to become a medical tourism hub, though room rates rival luxury hotels and some locals say the facility feels inaccessible.
Read more →Badung Regency's government has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Bali's traditions, culture, and spirituality, which underpin the region's tourism-dependent economy. Officials highlighted temple facility upgrades and improvements to transportation and pedestrian infrastructure aimed at enhancing visitor comfort and extending stays.
Read more →The Belitung Regency government in Indonesia has announced plans to develop a new flight route connecting Bali, Belitung, and Bangka islands. Discussions with airlines such as Lion Air are underway, aiming to boost tourism. The plan is still in the proposal stage, with no confirmed launch date yet.
Read more →Bali's governor has welcomed plans to reopen a direct Taipei-Bali flight route, expressing hope for increased Taiwanese tourist arrivals. A Starlux aircraft is scheduled to make its inaugural flight on October 1, 2026, marking the route's reopening after a hiatus.
Read more →A service called 'RELOCARE' allows people to experience one month of daily life in Bali, including housing, airport transfers, local support, and visa consultations. So far, 30 groups (41 people) have participated. Free online consultations are also available for those still undecided about relocating.
Read more →Minikino Film Week 12, Bali's international short film festival, will run September 11-18, 2026, centered in Denpasar. From 1,454 international submissions, 122 films from 60 countries were selected, with the full programme reaching 202 shorts across 42 screening programmes.
Read more →Swarga Suites Bali Berawa, an all-suite beachfront hotel along Berawa Beach, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The property has grown alongside the rapidly developing Berawa area, expanding its dining, wellness, and leisure offerings while maintaining its tropical beachfront identity.
Read more →According to Bali's statistics agency (BPS), foreign tourist arrivals to Bali reached 697,809 in July 2026, up 15.34% from 604,962 in June. The increase is attributed to holiday seasons starting in key source countries including Australia, China, South Korea, and Europe. Australia remains the largest source market.
Read more →Bali Interfood 2026, an international F&B and hospitality trade exhibition, opened on September 2 at BNDCC in Nusa Dua, Bali. The three-day event features 110 exhibitors from eight countries, including 35 small businesses, with an expected 15,000 visitors, alongside gelato competitions, wine pairings, and culinary workshops.
Read more →Malaysia's AirAsia has announced its first codeshare partnership with Turkey's Pegasus Airlines, allowing Southeast Asian travelers, including those from Indonesia, easier access to five European destinations via Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul. The partnership will eventually cover over 100 routes between Asia and Europe.
Read more →The Mount Rinjani National Park authority in West Nusa Tenggara has restricted climbing activities starting September 1, 2026, to prevent forest and land fires. Existing paid bookings remain valid, but new online reservations are temporarily suspended. The overall trekking quota has not been reduced.
Read more →Lombok Island, located just east of Bali, is gaining attention as an alternative destination amid Bali's overtourism issues like traffic congestion and rising costs. It offers clear-water snorkeling, the Gili Islands, and diverse areas like Senggigi and Kuta, though local transportation has some unique restrictions travelers should know about.
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