No more new hotel for Bali: Administration

In an effort to protect the resort island's natural environment, the Bali provincial administration has decided to stop issuing official recommendations for the construction of new hotels, villas or homestays.

The decision was made during the three-day Development Planning Meeting (Musrenbang) attended by representatives from the province's eight regencies and one municipality.

"This policy was introduced as part of our efforts to protect the environment from potential damages," head of the Bali Provincial Development Planning Board (Bappeda), Nengah Suarca, said Wednesday.

"The moratorium for the construction of new hotels is an appropriate measure to secure the island's future."

"We will not tolerate the construction of new hotels," Suarca said, stressing the local administration would not issue any official recommendations during the temporary moratorium.

The moratorium is temporary, he added.

Commenting on the moratorium, chairman of the Bali chapter of the Association of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI), Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, said it was a positive policy.

"In fact, we have been recommending such a policy for a long time, particularly a moratorium omlarge hotels."