New openings (hotels, restaurants, beach clubs), festivals, and local culture news.
AYANA Resort Bali, a large complex in the Jimbaran area, offers 14 pools, a massive kids' playground, Montessori-based programs, and nanny services for families traveling with children. The resort also features adults-only areas, making it a destination designed to satisfy both parents and kids.
Read more →The Japanese power-action film 'Cargo Dragon: Powered Human Battle Courier,' directed by and starring action actor Ken Daito, is scheduled to be screened in Bali, Indonesia in September 2026. The screening is planned as part of an arts festival and at educational institutions, marking part of Japan's efforts to promote its films overseas.
Read more →Indonesian carrier TransNusa announced it will launch direct flights from Jakarta to Bangkok starting July 6, 2026, and from Bali to Phuket starting September 9, 2026. Fares for Thailand routes start from IDR 2.3 million (including 20kg baggage), as the airline aims to position Bali and Phuket as tourism 'twin islands.'
Read more →Mitsubishi Estate has opened a large outlet mall called "Sila Village Grand Outlet Bali" in Bali, Indonesia, with a total project cost of about 14.5 billion yen and roughly 130 stores including international brands like Hugo Boss and Nike. Located about 20 minutes by car from Bali's international airport, the mall aims to attract spending from tourists and affluent shoppers.
Read more →The Indonesian Tourism Scholars Association (ICPI) has highlighted four key challenges facing Indonesia's tourism sector: high aviation fuel costs, expensive domestic flight tickets, visa-free entry policy, and the need to maximize economic benefits for local businesses. ICPI specifically called for a review of visa-free policy toward reciprocity and better oversight, linking it to concerns about a 'shadow economy' and rising crime in Bali.
Read more →Students at Fukuchiyama Seibi High School in Kyoto Prefecture donated children's books to a local library, purchased with proceeds from selling cocoa made from Bali-grown cacao. The initiative is part of a fair trade program supporting cacao farmers in Bali.
Read more →Indonesia's Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that foreign tourist (wisman) visits to Bali reached 3.2 million during the first half of 2026 (January-June). The data indicates that Bali continues to attract strong international tourist demand.
Read more →According to Bali's statistics agency (BPS), star-rated hotel occupancy reached 64.87% in June 2026, up 3.71 points from the previous month. Five-star hotels recorded the highest occupancy at 72.34%, with officials attributing the rise to an increase in higher-spending foreign tourists despite a slight overall decline in visitor numbers.
Read more →Sira Village, a new open-air shopping and cultural venue in Bali, attracted 60,000 visitors in its first three days after opening on July 31, 2026. Visitors included local Balinese residents, domestic tourists, and foreign tourists, drawn by its seaside setting, cultural performances, and local small business bazaar.
Read more →Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced new direct flight routes between Jakarta-Bangkok and Denpasar (Bali)-Phuket, as part of broader tourism and investment cooperation. The routes are expected to boost health tourism and cruise travel between the two countries.
Read more →A men-only retreat called "Bali Time Chamber" has opened in the mountainous area of northern Bali, banning women from entry, and its promotional videos on TikTok and Instagram have gone viral. The facility charges up to $3,000 and offers an environment for fitness, business networking, and meditation.
Read more →Traditional timber double-outrigger fishing canoes called jukung pelasan, once common along southern Bali's beaches, are vanishing due to tourism development and the decline of local fishing. A recent survey found only six intact timber examples remain, with fiberglass replicas now used for tourist sunrise sails.
Read more →This opinion piece examines two Bali incidents: two Dutch organizers of a popular running event banned from re-entering Indonesia over allegations of excluding local residents, and the luxury villa "Villa Vedas" facing a closure recommendation for zoning violations. Citing a related incident involving Italian students in Bangkok, the article critiques the mindset that foreign capital entitles visitors or investors to prioritize their own interests over local communities.
Read more →The 6th Sabdha Kite Festival was held in Pecatu Village, Badung Regency, with the Badung Regent providing support. Participation grew to 1,851 people across 14 categories, about 200 more than last year, as the event aims to preserve Balinese culture and promote local tourism.
Read more →Following the US-Israel strikes on Iran, flight disruptions via Dubai and Doha have driven up airfares, prompting many European tourists to avoid Southeast Asia. In Bali, travel agencies reliant on European markets report sharp booking declines, pushing the industry to court new markets like Australia, China, Singapore and South Korea.
Read more →Korean actor Kim Bin-woo has announced on social media that he and his family will relocate to Bali, describing it as a decision made after a year of deliberation. He explained the move stems from a desire to experience new challenges while his children are still young. The announcement follows recent controversies over noise and driving behavior, drawing additional public attention.
Read more →The third annual Bank BPD Bali Culture Run 2026 took place at Peninsula Island, ITDC Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, drawing around 4,000 runners from Indonesia and abroad. The event combined sports, culture, tourism and sustainability, featuring traditional Balinese performances along the route and a Race Village showcasing local small businesses.
Read more →Amid a rise in cases of misconduct by foreign tourists in Bali, a tourism observer says the issue goes beyond individual behavior and points to a broader challenge in destination governance. He calls for stronger enforcement and better education about existing rules before tourists arrive.
Read more →The 48th Pesta Kesenian Bali (Bali Arts Festival) drew only 5,743 foreign visitors, about 0.8% of all foreign tourists who visited Bali during the same period. Tourism industry figures point to insufficient promotion and say hotels and restaurants could be enlisted to help attract more international visitors.
Read more →A new shopping mall, Sira Village Grand Outlet Bali, opened on July 31 inside the Kura Kura Bali Special Economic Zone (KEK) in Denpasar, with an investment of around Rp1.5 trillion. The development aims to strengthen Bali's appeal as a world-class tourism and lifestyle destination while supporting the sustainable, culturally-rooted growth of the Kura Kura Bali zone.
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