Exciting things to do if you explore Bali

With a whopping 1.03 million visitors in the first quarter of 2023 alone, Bali has consistently remained a must-visit destination for tourists from around the world. For Indian travellers, this is a much coveted holiday spot with easy access, direct flights and easy visa on arrival. Apart from its gorgeous beaches and luxury resorts, Bali has much to offer by way of events and experiences.

Mountains and volcanoes to be off-limits

Bali has 22 mountains including the famous Mount Batur and Mount Agung. All the mountains are sacred and revered. If their sanctity is damaged, it is the same as degrading the sacredness of Bali. This ban is in effect forever and it is not only for foreign tourists but also domestic tourists and residents. The exceptions are religious ceremonies or the handling of natural disasters. Bali has been a thriving tourist destination, often ranked at the top for its pristine beaches and holy temples. In recent times, however, the government has been forced to introduce various bans and taxes on tourists for inappropriate conduct in and around sacred sites.

Vistara to operate a flight route from Delhi to Bali

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has permitted Vistara to begin a new route between Delhi and Bali from August 1 which will add yet another operator on this route, offering more options for visitors. Indians formed the third largest group of foreign arrivals with 184,702 people landing in Bali.

New task force for tourists

Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun, head of the Bali Tourism Office, announced the creation of a task force to address misbehaviour by tourists. The Task Force for the Acceleration of Implementation of Tourism Governance will enlist officers for ‘the implementation of culture-based, quality and dignified Bali Tourism Governance.’ According to Pemayun, “This task force does not only supervise foreigners or tourists but supervises and controls all tourism activities, as well as public order related to tourism.” This task force is part of an island-wide move to crack down on unruly tourists and curb misdemeanours

List of do’s and don’ts for visitors

In a bid to protect Bali's culture and integrity, Governor Wayan Koster has rolled out a list of do’s and don'ts for visitors. The do’s include guidelines for respecting the sanctity of temples, sacred statues, and religious symbols, dressing appropriately and respectfully when visiting sacred areas, and public places, and engaging in tourist activities in Bali. For the complete list see here