Singaraja, Bali (ANTARA) - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno drew attention to the issue of tourism development in the northern part of Bali, including Buleleng District, being hampered by limited accessibility.
"North Bali has difficulty in attracting tourists due to the accessibility issue, such as road access from South Bali (Denpasar, Badung, and surrounding areas) to the North (Buleleng)," he remarked on the sidelines of his visit to Buleleng on Saturday.
According to the minister, the best approach to address this issue is by constructing a toll road connecting North Bali and South Bali, which must be completed at the earliest.
Specifically for toll roads, Uno spoke of having received approval from the central government. The plan to connect North Bali and South Bali by a toll road will be entering the tender process in 2025.
"The toll road also connects with the re-tender process for the Gilimanuk-Mengwi toll road. With the toll road, it will only take 90 minutes to reach North Bali," the minister revealed.
He then remarked that the North Bali Airport, as an additional way to improve long-term accessibility, can also balance the distribution of tourism development in Bali.
"Distance and travel time are the most vital problems. We must take sides in developing North Bali because this area is full of potential," he noted.
Uno explained that the execution of the plan to build a new airport in Buleleng depended on the local government's level of seriousness as the central government had given approval.
His side is also preparing short-term options related to tourism development in North Bali, namely with tour packages from Watudodol, Bangsering, Pemuteran, and Lovina by fast boat within the next 30 days. Such an effort is expected to have an impact on tourism in Buleleng.
Regarding the short-term program, the minister is targeting an increase in domestic tourist visits by opening more new flights from Banyuwangi Airport.
