BADUNG, BALINEWS – Fuel shortages in Bali are having a growing impact on the island’s tourism industry, with visitor numbers at Jatiluwih Tourism Destination in Tabanan Regency reportedly plunging by nearly 50% as transportation disruptions force travel agencies to cancel tours.
I Ketut Purna, widely known as John Purna, chairman of the Tabanan chapter of the Indonesian Recreation Parks Association (PUTRI) and operational manager of Jatiluwih Tourism Destination, said visitor numbers had fallen from approximately 30% below normal levels to nearly 50% within two days.
According to John, the fuel shortage has made it difficult for drivers, tour guides, and travel agencies to transport tourists to destinations across Bali. Some employees at Jatiluwih have also reportedly been unable to get to work because of fuel supply problems.
“We have been seriously affected by the impact of the fuel shortage in Bali. I believe the problem will not be limited to tourism. Food supplies could also become a serious issue if the shortage continues,” John said on the sidelines of the 15th ASITA Bali Regional Conference (Musda XV ASITA Bali 2026), themed Repositioning the Future of Tourism, at the InterContinental Bali Resort in Jimbaran, Badung Regency, on Friday, October 16, 2026.
John explained that tourism operators had limited options for addressing the situation because the main problem was not the readiness of destination managers, but the inability of drivers and tourists to travel due to insufficient fuel supplies.
He urged the government and relevant authorities to take immediate action to restore fuel distribution, emphasizing that Bali's status as an international tourism destination made the situation particularly concerning.
Tourists Stranded at Hotels as Trips Are Cancelled
John said many visitors who cancelled trips to Jatiluwih were not redirected to other destinations. Instead, some were forced to remain at their hotels because transportation providers could not secure enough fuel to operate their vehicles.
“Cancelling a trip to Jatiluwih does not mean tourists are being redirected elsewhere. They cannot go because there is no fuel. They end up staying at their hotels, even though they came to Bali to visit its tourist attractions. Complaints from visitors have already started to increase,” he said.
The disruption could affect a wide range of tourism-related businesses, including tour operators, transport providers, restaurants, spas, and tourist attractions.
John added that the impact could extend beyond Tabanan to other parts of Bali, particularly destinations located far from major population centres and those that depend heavily on road transportation.
“Tour guides, drivers, and tour leaders are unable to move around because they cannot obtain fuel,” he said.
He also warned that the shortage could affect employees' ability to work, further disrupting tourism operations and local economic activity.
Bali's International Tourism Reputation at Risk
John expressed concern that prolonged transportation disruptions could damage Bali's reputation among international visitors and overseas travel partners.
He noted that many European tourists plan their trips to Bali months in advance. Disruptions upon arrival could undermine their holiday experiences and damage confidence in the destination.
“Imagine tourists planning their trips to Bali at least six months in advance. When they arrive, their drivers or travel agents have to cancel because there is no fuel. That is embarrassing,” he said.
John also warned that reservations at restaurants, spas, and tourist attractions could be affected as visitors become unable to follow their planned itineraries.
He stressed that Bali competes with international destinations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand, making it essential to resolve problems that interfere with visitors' mobility and travel experiences.
“Bali's reputation could suffer. We are not only competing with other destinations in Indonesia but also with countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. This could have a very negative impact on Bali's image internationally,” he said.
Tourism Industry Calls for Immediate Government Action
John urged the government and all authorities responsible for fuel procurement and distribution to take concrete steps to restore supplies across Bali before the economic impact becomes more widespread.
Although tourism operators have no direct authority over Pertamina's operational policies, he said the crisis required serious attention because its consequences were already being felt by businesses and local communities.
“Whoever has the authority to make decisions on this issue, please help Bali. When a problem occurs in Bali, its impact is not limited to Indonesia; it reaches the international community as well,” he said.
John also called for the issue to be raised at the national level through stronger coordination among tourism industry representatives and elected officials.
He said a coordinated response was needed to restore fuel distribution and prevent further disruption to tourism-related businesses.
Regarding the possibility of switching to electric vehicles, John said inadequate charging infrastructure at several tourist destinations, including Jatiluwih, made this an impractical short-term solution.
He expressed hope that fuel supplies would soon return to normal, allowing tourist vehicles to resume operations, visitor numbers to recover, and businesses dependent on Bali's tourism industry to avoid further losses.
The reported decline in visitor numbers at Jatiluwih is based on John's account and has not yet been independently verified against comparative visitor data. The overall impact of the fuel shortage on Bali's tourism industry therefore remains subject to further assessment.
