New Bali Cultural Tourism Villages To Be Established In 2026

Bali’s enduring appeal as a cultural destination is set to expand with planned developments aimed at bolstering tourism in the Badung Regency. The government is prioritizing the enhancement of local villages, recognizing their crucial role in offering authentic experiences to visitors.

New Tourism Villages Planned for Badung Regency

The Badung Regency Government has announced plans to develop five new tourism villages in 2026: Kapal, Petang, Munggu, Bongkasa Pertiwi, and Pangsan. These additions will bring the total number of tourism villages in the region to eighteen. This initiative underscores a commitment to diversifying Bali’s tourism offerings beyond its well-known coastal areas like Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu.

Did You Know? Penglipuran Village has received multiple awards from the UN World Tourism Organisation as the Best Tourism Village in the World.

Infrastructure Improvements Underway

According to I Gede Made Sukayasa, Head of the Tourism Destination Division of the Badung Tourism Office, the developments will focus on improving infrastructure in the selected villages. These improvements are intended to address existing deficiencies and align with the leadership’s broader vision for tourism. A key project is the completion of the Siat Tipat Statue in Kapal Tourism Village, a decision stemming from last year’s Village Development Planning Meeting.

The Siat Tipat statue is intended to serve as a symbol of Kapal Village and enhance its cultural identity. The tradition it represents, part of the Aci Tabuh Rah Pengangon ceremony, is already featured on the official Badung Regency tourism calendar. The new monument is expected to further promote culture-based tourism.

Munggu Village, already a relatively established tourism destination, is slated for further development. Plans include the creation of a park and a creative economy space, contingent on available funding. Munggu is also being developed as a Cultural Park, aiming to blend the intimate feel of a tourism village with the scale and quality of larger attractions like GWK Cultural Park.

Expert Insight: The focus on developing tourism villages represents a strategic effort to distribute the economic benefits of tourism more widely across Bali, while simultaneously preserving and promoting the island’s unique cultural heritage. This approach could mitigate the pressures on heavily visited areas and offer travelers more immersive and authentic experiences.

Enhancing Access and Cultural Preservation

Improvements are also planned for the Petang Tourism Village, specifically to enhance access to its twin waterfalls, making them both safer and more accessible to visitors. Collaboration between teams led by Wayan Adi Arnawa and Munggu Tourism Village is underway to create the new Mekotek Park, building on the existing Mekotek monument in Munggu Village.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the five new tourism villages being developed in Badung Regency?

The five new tourism villages are Kapal, Petang, Munggu, Bongkasa Pertiwi, and Pangsan.

What is the significance of the Siat Tipat statue being built in Kapal Tourism Village?

The Siat Tipat statue is intended to serve as a symbol of Kapal Village and promote its cultural identity, representing the Aci Tabuh Rah Pengangon ceremony.

What are the plans for Munggu Village?

Munggu Village is being developed as a Cultural Park and plans include designing supporting facilities such as a park and a creative economy space, pending funding.

As these developments progress, will these new villages successfully balance the demands of tourism with the preservation of Bali’s cultural traditions?