Bali’s tourism could plummet if new alcohol law goes ahead

A new alcohol banning law could be introduced across Indonesia, it has been reported.

The new law has proposed to make the production, consumptions, sale, and possession of alcohol strictly prohibited. Going against this law, means you could face a prison sentence of up to ten years.

Tourism chiefs have warned that the new law could pose as a real risk to Indonesia’s tourism sector, especially in popular backpacking and party islands such as Bali.

The island is one of Indonesia’s 34 provinces, and sees around 4 million tourists annually. Australians make up the majority of travellers to the small island, with around 100,000 British Nationals visiting annually. Many travellers flock to the island for its clubs, nightlife, and cheap booze.

Bali’s economy largely depends on tourism, but the introduction of the new proposed law, could see travellers boycott the island, and go elsewhere.

Hariyadi Sukadani, head of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association said: “The tourists… drink alcohol all the time. It will be very inconvenient for them if they can’t find alcohol.

“No matter how beautiful the country is, if they can’t find alcohol, they [tourists] won’t want to come here.”

Even if Bali were able to guarantee an exemption from the proposed law, this would see alcohol prices soar on the island, making travellers find other places offering alcohol for cheaper prices.

The current proposal is being pushed by two influential Muslim parties, who have previously tried to drive this law for religious reasons, yet were unsuccessful. They are now pushing the new law to be introduced for health reasons, due to the number of deaths caused by alcohol in Indonesia each year.