Hundreds of Hotels in Bali Listed for Sale Online, Highlighting Tourism Sector Challenges

Hundreds of hotels in Bali are being listed for sale through online property platforms, raising concerns within the local tourism industry. The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali branch has commented on the phenomenon, attributing it to a combination of factors impacting the sector. The hotels on offer are spread across various popular areas in Bali, including Badung, Tabanan, Gianyar, and Karangasem, with prices reaching tens of billions of rupiah. Online marketplaces such as Lamudi and OLX feature numerous listings for hotels and villas of different classes and price points. I Gusti Agung Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya, the Deputy Chairman of PHRI Bali, stated that the surge in hotel sales could be due to several reasons. These include low occupancy rates, internal decisions by shareholders, owners seeking to test their property's market value, or an inability to operate the hotels effectively. While Suryawijaya acknowledged that buying and selling are normal aspects of the property business, he expressed concern over the significant number of accommodations being put up for sale. He emphasized the need to view this trend in the context of the current economic situation and the development of Bali's tourism. Furthermore, Suryawijaya highlighted the changing profile of tourists visiting Bali. He noted that many visitors are now budget-conscious, belonging to the 'middle-low' segment, and tend to choose accommodations that fit their financial capabilities. This means that demand extends beyond luxury hotels to include guesthouses, homestays, and hotels with fewer than three stars. In light of this, Suryawijaya urged the government to intensify efforts to attract tourists with higher purchasing power. He criticized the lack of concrete actions on attracting 'quality tourists,' calling for innovative breakthroughs. He specifically called on the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy to implement 'extraordinary breakthroughs' to boost the arrival of quality visitors, especially given the intense competition from countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. PHRI hopes that the government and tourism stakeholders will collaborate to strengthen promotions while also addressing internal issues such as traffic congestion, environmental cleanliness, and security. Suryawijaya stressed that the government's vision of making Bali a 'quality and dignified world tourist destination' must be supported by concrete, strategic steps to improve these aspects.