After many years of uncertainty the ambitious North Bali Airport Project by Bali has now been given green light.
According to bnnbreaking.com this mega infrastructure project aims to serve up 50 millions passengers each year and reshape Bali’s tourism landscape by enhanced connectivity.
Strategic Vision Drives Airport Development
North Bali Airport, spearheaded by Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto, aims to boost tourism while improving transport links throughout Bali. The new airport, which is estimated to have a capacity almost double that of Ngurah Rai International Airport’s existing capacity, will relieve passenger congestion and allow for equitable economic growth.
Bali is a hub for low cost carriers, and the 3,600 meter runway can handle many different aircraft. The local communities will also benefit from the creation of many jobs.
Made Muliawan Arya is the Chairman of Gerindra’s Bali Leadership Council. According to him, Subianto has pledged that he will honor his campaign promise to move forward with North Bali Airport.
Balance Progress and Tradition
Realizing the megaproject was not without its challenges. The project’s proponents had to find a delicate balance between land acquisition delays and concerns about sociocultural effects. Subianto has placed a high priority on building an airport in line with Balinese aesthetics and values. This attention to local interests was instrumental in gaining support from the community.
Subianto, while acknowledging economic priorities emphasized the importance of designing an airport in accordance with Balinese architecture traditions. This included open-air pavilions, lush gardens and open-air pavilions. He said previously that “the Balinese character must be preserved, and the buildings all must have Balinese features.” The long-term success of the project will depend on achieving this balance between conservation and development.
Holistic Infrastructure Upgrades
This combined air and train upgrade will help to reduce the severe traffic congestion on the island, resulting in a more sustainable, seamless travel experience.
The Path to an Equitable Tomorrow
North Bali Airport is a gateway to a new era of accessibility, connectivity, and fair tourism development as Bali prepares to receive over 50 million air passengers annually. The airport’s modern facilities will strengthen Bali’s aviation infrastructure and open up new economic opportunities.
Construction is expected to start in late 2024. Both visitors and Balinese can expect an airport that will be on par with Singapore Changi, providing seamless regional connectivity in a Balinese setting.
Bali’s Overtourism and New Tourist Tax
Bali is facing significant challenges due to overtourism. This has caused environmental degradation, infrastructure strain and impacts on local community.
Popularity as a tourist destination on the island has led to economic gains, but also challenges with managing waste, water, and cultural heritage. The Balinese government responded by implementing a tourism tax to mitigate the negative effects of excessive tourism.
This tax will fund cultural and environmental preservation projects to ensure that Bali is a beautiful destination for future generations.
Wayan Suardana, from Udayana University Denpasar, suggests that Bali does not face overtourism everywhere as the tourist activity is concentrated mainly in southern regions. He says that areas such as Denpasar and Gianyar are heavily visited, but places like Karangasem Buleleng and Jembrana do not receive the same amount of tourists.
Suardana believes that improving infrastructure can balance the tourism growth in Bali, and help to shift the focus from attracting quantity tourism after COVID-19. This will be done by considering factors such as location and price for sustainable development.
