
Indonesia is developing a specific regulation for its planned international financial center in Bali, with the goal of matching Dubai's status. Chief Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto confirmed that a new law is being drafted, following discussions with the Constitutional Court regarding the legal structure. While other locations are possible, the focus is currently on Bali. The government is identifying incentives for investors, similar to those offered in other special economic zones, potentially including tax exemptions. Indonesia is also considering adopting common law for the financial special economic zone, a system that provides more certainty for investors by emphasizing adherence to previously decided cases, unlike Indonesia's current civil law. Consultations with the Constitutional Court are underway regarding this adoption. The government plans to leverage a newly approved financial law that revised existing regulations and will release another law with technical details by September. A council will oversee the center. Economist Bhima Yudhistira of Celios suggests an independent regulator for transactions within the zone, similar to Dubai International Financial Center, to build investor trust.
This summary was generated from a story originally published by Bali news.
Must readVirgin Australia has launched its first direct international service from Canberra Airport to Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport, starting June 22, 2026. This new three-times-weekly route aims to provide direct overseas access for regional holidaymakers in southeastern Australia, bypassing major metropolitan hubs like Sydney and Melbourne. The airline is offering promotional Economy Lite fares from AUD 449 return and Velocity Frequent Flyer reward seats from 22,500 points one way plus taxes. This service is expected to benefit travelers from areas including the Coastal Belt Batemans Bay, Bega, Merimbula, the Alpine Zone Cooma, Jindabyne, and regional interstates, by offering a low-congestion alternative to larger city terminals. The route will utilize Virgin Australia’s Boeing 737-800 fleet, offering Business Class, Economy X, and Standard Economy options. This initiative is seen as a significant economic boost for the ACT, facilitating both outbound tourism and inbound international visitation, and represents a long-term strategy between Virgin Australia and Canberra Airport management. Mr. Anup Kumar Keshan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travel And Tour World, highlighted this as an example of aviation decentralization, allowing secondary airports to become viable international departure points. Travelers are advised to book quickly due to limited annual capacity of just over 40,000 seats.
Must readVirgin Australia has introduced a new direct flight route from Canberra to Bali, with the inaugural flight taking off on Monday, June 22, 2026. This makes Virgin Australia the only Australian carrier to offer non-stop service to Bali from the nation's capital. The new route significantly reduces travel time to just over six hours, compared to approximately 12 hours for flights with stopovers. This service aims to provide more convenience for travelers from Canberra and regional New South Wales who previously had to connect through other major Australian cities. The return service will operate three times per week, adding over 40,000 seats annually between Australia and Bali. To celebrate the launch, Virgin Australia partnered with FINNS Beach Club, offering complimentary daybed vouchers to passengers on the first flight. A sale on return fares from Canberra to Bali Denpasar is also available from $449 Economy Lite until 11:59 PM AEST Friday, June 26, for selected travel dates between July 28, 2026, and May 24, 2027.
Must readSoutheast Asia's tourism landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with a notable shift in demand towards shorter, safer, and more cost-stable regional routes. Verified airline data, including insights from AirAsia MOVE, indicates a weakening of long-haul travel and a strengthening of intra-regional movement. This change is attributed to rising fuel costs, geopolitical instability, and frequent route disruptions, positioning Southeast Asia as a preferred safe-haven corridor. Travellers are increasingly avoiding unstable long-distance routes linked to Europe and the Middle East. Independent travel has surged, with over 76% of itineraries now being flexible or solo-based. Bali and Phuket continue to experience strong demand but face capacity pressure. Da Nang has emerged as the fastest-growing destination due to its affordability and safety. Penang and Cebu are absorbing spillover demand through improved connectivity. This structural realignment of ASEAN travel is driven by AirAsia MOVE trends and expanding low-cost carrier networks, shaping a new regional tourism order. The region's appeal is further strengthened by its perceived stability, reliability, and affordability, making proximity, safety, and cost key decision-making factors for travellers.