BANGLI, DEWATA.NEWS – A section of Jalan Raya Penelokan in Kintamani, Bangli, is set to be officially designated as a tourism road, as local authorities prepare a new regulatory framework to support visitor management and infrastructure development in the area.
Head of the Bangli Tourism Office, I Wayan Dirga Yusa, confirmed that the proposal is currently under consultation with the Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR) of Bangli. The results are expected to be finalized by the end of April 2026 before being submitted to the Bali Provincial Government.
“We are coordinating with the PUPR office. The target is to complete the consultation by the end of this month and submit it to the provincial government,” he said on Friday (April 10, 2026).
The new status will be formalized through a Governor Regulation (Pergub Bali). Dirga emphasized that the change will only apply to the pedestrian areas along the road, which will be converted into tourism-supporting facilities.
“The pedestrian area along Jalan Raya Penelokan will be designated as a tourism facility. The project itself has already been planned,” he explained.
The designated tourism zone will cover approximately 2.5 kilometers, stretching from the gate near the Batur Geopark Museum to the entrance gate near Pura Ulun Danu Batur. Other sections of Jalan Raya Penelokan, Jalan Raya Kintamani, and roads extending toward Buleleng will remain public roads.
The policy comes after a recent incident that went viral on social media, where a tourist was reportedly asked to pay an entrance fee along the road. Officials clarified that the confusion occurred because the road had not yet been formally categorized as a tourism zone.
Deputy Chair of the Bangli Regional House of Representatives, I Nyoman Budiada, said the reclassification has been agreed upon between the tourism office and local legislators, in line with regional regulations that define Kintamani as a tourism destination.
“The regional regulation clearly states that Kintamani is a tourism area, from Jalan Raya Penelokan to Pura Ulun Danu Batur,” he said.
Authorities also highlighted the need to improve supporting infrastructure in the area, including basic facilities such as public toilets and street lighting, to enhance visitor experience and safety.
For visitors, the upcoming change signals a more structured tourism management approach in Kintamani, one of Bali’s key highland destinations overlooking Mount Batur.