BADUNG, BALINEWS – Fuel shortages in Bali are beginning to disrupt tourism operations, with long queues and traffic congestion around gas stations making it difficult for some members of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali to transport tourists to the airport.
Chairman of the Bali Regional Board of ASITA, I Putu Winastra, said congestion caused by vehicles queuing for fuel had affected travel schedules, particularly for smaller tourist vehicles such as vans used for passenger pickups and airport transfers.
Winastra made the statement 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.
“Traffic congestion has occurred, and some of our members have been unable to reach the airport because of traffic jams around gas stations,” Winastra said.
He urged the government and relevant authorities to address the situation promptly, particularly by ensuring smoother road access to the airport so that tourists would not miss their flights because of traffic congestion.
According to Winastra, ASITA Bali had not received any cancellations of tour packages directly related to the fuel shortages. However, some travel agencies had begun adjusting their itineraries by redirecting tourists from southern Bali to alternative destinations that were less crowded.
“So far, there have been no cancellations. However, tourists who are already in Bali have changed their activities. Trips that were originally planned for southern Bali have been redirected to less crowded destinations,” he said.
Winastra added that travel agencies had been providing tourists with objective information about conditions on the ground. So far, tourists had generally understood the changes to their schedules and destinations caused by traffic disruptions.
Nevertheless, he warned that prolonged fuel shortages and congestion could make it increasingly difficult for travel agencies to provide reliable service and clear information to their overseas partners.
“We hope this situation will not last too long so that we can explain the conditions in Bali to our overseas partners,” he said.
Winastra acknowledged that the extent of the potential impact on Bali’s tourism industry remained uncertain if the fuel supply problems were not resolved soon.
ASITA Promotes Regenerative Tourism
Amid the fuel distribution challenges, ASITA Bali is also promoting regenerative tourism to ensure that tourism activities deliver long-term benefits to the environment and local communities.
Winastra explained that regenerative tourism goes beyond bringing visitors to destinations. It also encourages tourists to contribute to the preservation and improvement of the places they visit.
Examples include activities in tourist villages, such as planting trees, protecting the natural environment, and interacting with local residents while sharing knowledge and experiences.
“Tourists visiting Bali should not only come to see destinations but also consider what they can contribute to help preserve them and ensure they continue to thrive,” Winastra said.
In addition to supporting the development of new tourism destinations, ASITA Bali runs several community initiatives through its ASITA Care program, including assistance for natural disaster victims and scholarship programs.
In 2026, ASITA Bali also carried out four home renovation projects in Klungkung and Karangasem regencies.
Winastra expressed hope that regenerative tourism would continue to develop alongside efforts to address current operational challenges. He said Bali's tourism industry should not only generate economic growth but also help protect the environment and improve the welfare of local communities.
