
Bali Governor Wayan Koster is preparing a formal invitation for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to open the 48th Bali Arts Festival PKB-2026 on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Governor Koster discussed this with the Deputy Governor, hoping President Prabowo will have time to attend. The invitation coincides with President Prabowo's planned visit to Bali to discuss designating the province as an International Financial Center IFC. Governor Koster received a call from Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan regarding Bali's preparation as an IFC, a plan viewed favorably by the Provincial Government. Major business leaders from Dubai and Abu Dhabi have expressed interest in relocating to Bali, seeing it as a safe destination. The Provincial Government will discuss the IFC plans to ensure they benefit the region and its people. If President Prabowo cannot attend, the Bali Provincial Government will ensure the smooth operation of the month-long festival, which runs from June 13 to July 11, 2026, and is expected to feature 20,929 artists from 673 organizations. In such a case, the President may assign ministers to attend the opening.
This summary was generated from a story originally published by Bali news.
Must readIndonesia has banned two men after an incident involving discrimination at a Bali run club. Further details about the incident or the duration of the ban are not provided.
Must readA popular running club in Canggu, Entourage Bali, founded by two Dutch nationals, has become the center of a controversy in Indonesia. The club, which organized social runs for expats and digital nomads, faced accusations of excluding Indonesian locals. Screenshots circulated on social media suggested that applications from Indonesian phone numbers were ignored or delayed, while foreign numbers received faster approval. Entourage Bali issued a public apology, attributing the issue to an error in their automated WhatsApp approval system that unintentionally biased against some Indonesian phone numbers. They stated the club never intended to exclude locals and that nearly 25% of participants at a recent event were Indonesian. Indonesian immigration authorities investigated and found that the two Dutch organizers, Joost Storms and Hidde van Vliet, violated their stay permit conditions by organizing community events not allowed under their limited stay visas. Consequently, both organizers have been placed on Indonesia's national entry ban list, preventing their re-entry into the country. Bali senator Ni Luh Djelantik criticized the incident, emphasizing that Bali's hospitality should not be taken for granted. Entourage Bali has suspended all events indefinitely. The incident has also sparked a broader discussion about digital nomads, gentrification, and compliance with Indonesian laws and regulations among foreigners in Bali.
Must readSwiss-Belhotel International has opened the five-star Ashva Swiss-Belresort Ubud Bali, expanding its presence in Indonesia's luxury hospitality market. The resort, located in Ubud, began its soft opening phase in July and August 2026, with the official Grand Opening scheduled for September 2026. The property features 90 guestrooms and suites, along with 4 wooden pavilions, with accommodations ranging from 40 to 106 square meters. Some premium rooms and suites include private heated plunge pools and smart in-room technology. Dining options include Giwangkara All Day Dining and Udupi Multi-Cuisine Restaurant, which offers a dedicated pure vegetarian kitchen section. The resort also boasts a terraced swimming pool concept with cascading water elements and a Petanu Pool Bar, a grand ballroom, versatile meeting spaces, and outdoor areas for events. Sudharman Shetty, President Director of PT Ratna Forever Hospitality, stated that the resort aims to combine Ubud's natural beauty and cultural heritage with international service standards. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, highlighted the company's confidence in Bali's market for lifestyle-oriented resort experiences. Ilkin Ilyaszade, Senior Vice President – Operations and Development, Indonesia at Swiss-Belhotel International, noted the resort's strategic positioning to meet demand for corporate meetings, weddings, and social events. Guests can access exclusive introductory rates during the soft