BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Bali Governor Wayan Koster has called for Arak Bali to become the main alcoholic beverage showcased at Ngurah Rai International Airport, aiming to reduce the dominance of imported whiskey and other foreign liquors in duty-free outlets.
During an inspection of duty-free areas and small and medium enterprise (SME) outlets at the airport on Sunday (8/2/2026), Koster said the international gateway to Bali should reflect the island’s cultural identity, including through locally produced beverages.
According to Koster, Arak Bali should not be treated as a secondary option but positioned as the primary choice for travelers seeking authentic Balinese products before leaving the island.
“If possible, the selection should be expanded so it’s not only whiskey, brandy, and similar products, especially in duty-free areas,” he said in a statement released on Monday (9/2/2026).
Arak Bali has been available at Ngurah Rai Airport for about a year, particularly in beverage and liquor sections. However, the number of brands and product varieties remains limited. The provincial government is continuing to encourage wider placement of local SME products, including Arak Bali, in outlets managed by the airport operator.
Koster emphasized that Arak Bali is more than a commercial product, describing it as a cultural heritage that must be managed in a sustainable and professional manner.
“Management must be integrated from upstream to downstream, from farmers and production processes to marketing, all in line with regulations,” he said.
He added that strengthening Arak Bali’s presence at the airport should directly benefit traditional producers. The provincial government, he said, is committed to protecting artisans while improving quality standards so local products can compete with imported alcoholic beverages.
To enhance visibility among international travelers, Koster requested the provision of dedicated display areas that highlight Arak Bali more prominently. “Visitors should not leave Bali with whiskey or brandy as souvenirs. Bali has its own liquor,” he said.
Promotion and management of Arak Bali at the airport will be handled collectively through the Arak Bali Association, also known as the Tresnaning Arak Bali Association. This approach is intended to prevent control by individual businesses or companies. The association is expected to accommodate all 58 registered Arak Bali brands for marketing at the airport.
Koster also highlighted the importance of cultural identity in packaging, noting that some products still lack proper use of Balinese script. He said this issue would be addressed in coordination with airport management and the provincial trade and industry office.
All Arak Bali products sold at the airport, he stressed, must comply with Bali Governor Regulation No. 1 of 2020, which governs the production and management of traditional Balinese fermented and distilled beverages. The regulation is part of broader efforts to develop local alcoholic drinks as a new community-based economic driver rooted in Balinese culture.