SANUR, Bali — Known as Bali’s oldest tourism resort, Sanur is positioning itself as a leader in the island’s evolving travel sector. As the area enters a new era as a Special Economic Zone for Medical and Wellness Tourism, local stakeholders are now pushing to transform the district into a low-emission, sustainable tourism destination.
This initiative took center stage this week at the “Rejuvenate Sanur” forum held at the Prama Sanur Hotel in Denpasar. The event, a collaborative effort between the Denpasar City Tourism Office, the World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia, and the Bali Net Zero Emissions Coalition, brought together government officials, industry leaders, and development partners to outline a strategy for a cleaner, more competitive resort.
Ni Luh Putu Riyastiti, Head of the Denpasar City Tourism Office, emphasized the importance of the shift, stating, “Sustainable and regenerative tourism are our shared concerns. We welcome WRI Indonesia’s initiative to decarbonize transportation to make Sanur blue, and green. Blue means the sky remains blue and clean, and green means environmentally friendly and equitable, where the benefits are felt by the community.”
The vision for “The Sanur” involves prioritizing low-emission mobility, improved air quality, and enhanced walkability. These factors are increasingly cited as key drivers for tourists who prefer Sanur over other Balinese destinations. For those on the front lines of the industry, the transformation offers a fresh narrative for promotion. Nyoman Nuarta, Chairman of the Bali Regional Leadership Council (DPD) of the Indonesian Tourism Association (HPI), noted that the shift toward sustainable values provides a new storytelling opportunity for tour guides to engage with visitors.
Business operators, including hotel managers, are also optimistic about the transition. I Gusti Bagus Surya, General Manager of Hotel Prama Sanur, expressed his belief that the focus on eco-friendly tourism will bolster the resort’s competitiveness. “I’m optimistic about this implementation, where travel is determined by the choice of mode of transportation, which is being encouraged to reduce the use of private vehicles and shift to the mass transportation provided in Sanur. It’s efficient and profitable for businesses going forward,” Surya said.
Sanur has been undergoing a gradual transition toward becoming a low-emission zone over the past year. Current efforts include the introduction of an electric shuttle bus service and major renovations to local sidewalks designed to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians.
Looking ahead, the area is projected to continue its development as a low-emission hub, balancing high tourism activity and investment with environmental sustainability. As these measures are implemented, the resort may serve as a model for other tourism destinations across the island seeking to modernize their infrastructure while addressing global shifts toward greener travel.