BALINEWS reports that the Bali fuel crisis is beginning to have a serious impact on the tourism industry as a whole in Bal. Tourist visits to the World Heritage Rice Terraces at Jatiluwih in Tabanan Regency, West Bali, have reportedly plummeted by nearly 50 percent, as transportation services are disrupted and travel plans are being canceled.
I Ketut Purna—also known as John Purna—who serves as the head of the Tabanan Regency Chapter of the Indonesian Recreation Park Business Association (PUTRI) and as the operational manager for the Jatiluwih Tourist Site, stated that the decline in visitor numbers worsened from approximately 30 percent to nearly 50 percent over the span of just two days.
According to Purna, the fuel scarcity has made it difficult for drivers, tour guides, and travel agents to operate vehicles to carry tourists to Jatiluwih. Moreover, some staff members at the Jatiluwih Heritage Site have been unable to report for work because they lack fuel for personal transport.
”As for the Jatiluwih tourist site, the drop reached 50 percent yesterday. Two days prior, it was around 30 percent,” said John Purna, speaking on the sidelines of the 15th Regional Conference (Musda) of ASITA Bali 2026 (Association of Indonesian Travel Agents). This year’s conference, themed “Repositioning the Future of Tourism,” was held at the InterContinental Bali Resort in Jimbaran on Friday, 16 October 2026.
Purna noted that cancellations for trips to Jatiluwih do not mean tourists are simply choosing other destinations; rather, many are forced to stay at their hotels because no vehicles have enough fuel to transport them for sightseeing. “The trip to Jatiluwih was canceled—not because it was diverted elsewhere, but simply because there was no fuel available. Guests ended up staying at the hotel, even though they had come to Bali specifically to visit tourist attractions. We’ve also started receiving a growing number of complaints from guests,” Purna complained.
Purna believes this situation could trigger a chain reaction of losses across various tourism-related businesses—from travel agencies, tourist transport services, restaurants, and spas to operators of tourist attractions.
According to John Purna, the impact of the fuel shortage is not limited to Tabanan Regency; it could potentially spread throughout Bali, particularly affecting destinations located far from major hubs that are difficult to reach without motor vehicles.
”Right now, tour guides, drivers, and tour leaders are completely unable to operate because they cannot obtain fuel,” he said on 16 October.
Some expect the situation to ease as a result of corrective measures taken by Pertamina and the Provincial Administration of Bali.
Bali’s Image in the International Market Threatened
John warned that any disruption to tourist mobility can damage Bali’s reputation as an international travel destination. He emphasized that this issue must be addressed immediately to prevent a decline in tourist confidence and among overseas travel partners.
He noted that European tourists often plan their trips to Bali well in advance. Transportation disruptions upon their arrival on the “Island of the Gods” can ruin a holiday experience that may have been in the works for months.
”Imagine a guest who has been planning a trip to Bali for six months—only to arrive and find that their driver or travel agent has to cancel the pickup because there is no fuel. It’s truly embarrassing,” he said.
He also expressed concerns regarding the cancellation of services already booked by tourists, such as restaurant reservations, spa appointments, and planned visits to tourist attractions. Such a situation could reduce revenue for business owners and disrupt the livelihoods of those working in the tourism sector.
John stressed that Bali is currently competing with other international destinations, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Therefore, fundamental issues hindering tourist travel must be resolved promptly.
John has called on the government and all parties with authority over fuel procurement and distribution to take concrete steps to restore and maintain supplies in Bali.
While acknowledging that tourism operators lack the authority to intervene in Pertamina’s operational policies, he emphasized the need for serious attention to the issue, noting that the public and business owners are already feeling its impact directly.
“Whoever holds the authority in this matter, please help Bali. When a problem arises in Bali, the repercussions are felt not only nationally but also internationally,” he stated.
John also urged that the fuel shortage issue be escalated to the national level through coordination between tourism stakeholders and elected representatives. He believes a collective effort is essential to ensure fuel distribution returns to normal and remains stable before the situation worsens.
He noted that electric vehicles cannot serve as a short-term solution, as charging infrastructure in many tourist destinations—including Jatiluwih—remains inadequate.
Related Links
Bali Fuel Crisis – Trans Metro Dewata Bus Service Passengers Surge to 6,501 per Day
Online Vehicle Drivers Acting Selectively During Bali Fuel Crisis Despite Surging Demand
Pertamina Imposes ‘Odd-Even’ Fuel Purchasing Scheme and Fuel Rationing for Bali
Bali’s Continuing Fuel Crisis: Governor Implements 3-day Work From Home (WFH) Policy
Bali Fuel Shortage at an End? Valuable Fuel Tracking Link
Stay Informed on Bali Tourism-Related News: Subscribe to Bali Update
