Sustainability Transition in Bali Tourism: Thematic Trends and Governance Gaps
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35870/ijmsit.v6i1.7091Keywords:
Community Empowerment, Cultural Commodification, Ecological Resilience, Institutional Gaps, Policy HarmonizationAbstract
This study explores the dynamics of sustainable tourism in Bali from 2022 to 2026, a critical period for post-pandemic recovery and paradigm shifting. Using a qualitative thematic analysis approach, the study reviewed 30 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2022 and 2026. The articles were identified through a systematic search of the Google Scholar database using keywords related to sustainable tourism in Bali and were selected based on relevance to sustainability practices, governance, environmental management, and cultural preservation. Findings reveal a significant transition toward community-based and spiritual tourism models, driven by local wisdom such as Tri Hita Karana. However, the analysis identifies a persistent 'institutional gap' caused by regulatory fragmentation between governmental authorities and traditional village leadership (Desa Adat). While ecological crises have accelerated the adoption of decarbonization strategies, digital technology integration remains a double-edged sword, risking cultural commodification. This study contributes to the sustainable tourism literature by providing a thematic synthesis of recent research and highlighting the importance of governance coordination, environmental management, and culturally sensitive digital innovation in supporting sustainable tourism development in Bali.
Downloads
References
Apliant, A. A., Adam, F., & Asluki, C. (2023). Implementasi Sustainable Tourism pada Tata Kelola Operasional di ITDC Nusa Dua Bali. Journal of Research on Business and Tourism, 3(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.37535/104003120234
Apriani, A., Kamsariaty, K., Nia Sarinastiti, Hilda Yuliastuti, & Sukmayadi, S. (2024). Toward a greener future: Exploring sustainable practices in travel and tourism in Bali. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 4(2), 137–148. https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v4i2.2092
Ardani, W., Sudiartini, N. W. A., & Yudhaningsih, N. M. (2025). An integrated approach for the development of a sustainable tourism village in Bali Province, Indonesia. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 23(2), 667–678. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.23(2).2025.48
Bellinda, N. P. W. N. B., & Kusuma, P. S. A. J. (2024). Pengaruh Isu Overtourism Terhadap Sustainable Tourism Yang Ada di Bali. Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi, 5(2), 248–359. https://doi.org/10.30640/akuntansi45.v5i2.3358
Choe, J., & Mahyuni, L. P. (2023). Sustainable and Inclusive Spiritual Tourism Development in Bali as a Long-term Post-Pandemic Strategy. International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage, 11(2), 100–111. https://doi.org/10.21427/BP1V-GZ27
Diwyarthi, N. D. M. S., Citrawati, L. P., Darmiati, M., Ariasri, N. R., & Kusumarini, I. (2026). SOSMANIORA (Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora) Quantum Hospitality and Balinese Women’s Role : Integrating Culture, Sustainability, and Gender in Global Tourism. SOSMANIORA (Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora), 5(1), 379–389. https://doi.org/10.55123/sosmaniora.v5i1.7030
Esta, P. F. A., & Wirantari, I. D. A. P. (2025). Implementasi Sustainable Tourism Dalam Pemulihan Citra Pariwisata Bali Pasca Isu “Bali Tak Layak Dikunjungi Tahun 2025” Pada Dinas Pariwisata Provinsi Bali. Socio-Political Communication and Policy Review, 2(3), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.61292/shkr.239
Gede Sutarya, I. (2022). Spiritual Tourism as Sustainable Tourism in Bali. International Journal of Tourism, Culture and Spirituality, 5(2), 187–198. https://doi.org/10.22133/IJTCS.2023.374762.1113
Januar, R. (2024). Implementation and challenges of sustainable tourism programs in Bali. Bali Tourism Journal, 8(2), 33–37. https://doi.org/10.36675/btj.v8i2.109
Laksmi, P. A. S., & Saputra, K. A. K. (2025). Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), Tourism, and Sustainability in Bali. Journal of Tourism Economics and Policy, 5(3), 552–563. https://doi.org/10.38142/jtep.v5i3.1514
Made Pageh, I., Rahmawati, P. I., Delacy, T., Made, I., Made Pageh, A. I., & Jiang, M. (2022). Ancient Religious Sites as Tools for Sustainable Tourism Development: An Empirical Study in the North of Bali. International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.21427/fv1n-2236
Mudana, W., Sinaga, F., Suarja, I. K., & Surata, K. (2025). Preserving local culture as a strategy for sustainable tourism in Bali. Journal of Commerce Management and Tourism Studies, 4(3), 450–459. https://doi.org/10.58881/jcmts.v3i2
Natalia, N. P. F. R., & Wiranata, I. M. A. (2026). Five Pillar Experiences as an Alternative Approach to Sustainable Tourism: A Critical Review of Mass Tourism Practices in Bali Province I Made Anom Wiranata. Padjadjaran Journal of International Relations, 8(1), 89–98. https://doi.org/10.24198/padjirv8i1.65121
Ningsih, S., & Fachrurreza, A. M. (2025). Bibliometric Analysis of Sustainable Tourism Research in Bali (2020-2025). Sadar Wisata: Jurnal Pariwisata, 8(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.32528/sw.v8i1.3065
Oka, I. M. D., & Subadra, I. N. (2024). Digital marketing for sustainable tourism village in Bali: A mixed methods study. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(7). https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i7.3726
Palguna, I. D. G., Santosa, A. A. G. D. H., Yasa, M. M., & Pramana, I. G. P. (2023). Towards quality and sustainable tourism in Bali: Should the regional master plan be adjusted? Udayana Journal of Law and Culture, 7(1), 43–58. https://doi.org/10.24843/UJLC.2023.v07.i01.p03
Pertama, S. P. E., Astawa, I. P., & Mudana, I. G. (2022). The Implementation of Environmental Management Accounting and Sustainable Tourism in Tourism Villages in Bali. International Journal of Glocal Tourism, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.58982/injogt.v3i1.172
Pramesti, D. S., Permatasari, D. N. C., & Huat, O. C. (2026). Digital Heritage Interpretation for Sustainable Tourism in the Subak Cultural Landscape of Bali. Journal of Applied Sciences in Travel and Hospitality, 9(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.31940/jasth.v9i1.1-10
Prasiasa, D. P. O., Ni Wayan Karmini, & Dewa Ayu Diyah Sri Widari. (2023). Challenges of Strengthening Culture in the Development of Sustainable Tourism Villages in Bali. Mudra Jurnal Seni Budaya, 39(1), 34–44. https://doi.org/10.31091/mudra.v39i1.2554
Pratiwi, A. A. M., Kesumadewi, P. D., & Mirayani, N. K. S. (2025). Asian Journal of Management Entrepreneurship and Social Science Economic Empowerment and Sustainability in Tourism Villages: The Strategic Contribution of BUMDes in Cemagi Village, Bali. Asian Journal of Management Entrepreneurship and Social Science, 6(1), 124–139. https://doi.org/10.63922/ajmesc.v6i01.1527
Putra Nugraha, I. G., Gede Parma, I. P., Putri Agustina, M. D., & Hutnaleontina, P. N. (2024). The role of government and community participation in realizing sustainable tourism development in Tihingan Village, Bali, Indonesia. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(8). https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i8.4621
Rahjasa, P. S. L. (2026). Framing Overtourism and Spatial Exploitation in Bali: Media Perspectives on Environmental Carrying Capacity. Journal of Social Research, 5(4), 1610–1619. https://doi.org/10.55324/josr.v5i4.3061
Salam, R., Samudra, A. A., Suradika, A., & Sumada, I. M. (2024). Future policy implementation to balance growth and sustainability: Managing the impact of mass tourism in Bali. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(9). https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i9.7927
Sari, D. M. F. P., Venita, P. B. M., Tirtayani, I. G. A., & Suidarma, I. M. (2026). Sustainable Behavior in the Balinese Hospitality Industry : How Perceived Value and Social Psychological Distance Mediate Social Media Activity. Jurnal Manajemen Motivasi, 22(1), 887–909. https://doi.org/10.29406/jmm.v22i1.8574
Sitiari, N. W., Datrini, L. K., Sarmawa, W. G., & Setini, M. (2024). Sustainability at its Core: Embracing the Essence of Tri Hita Karana Philosophy to Empower Eco-Tourism-Focused MSMEs in Bali. Journal of Finance and Business Digital, 3(3), 171–184. https://doi.org/10.55927/jfbd.v3i3.11621
Suardani, M., Meirejeki, I. N., Sagitarini, L. L., Sudarta, I. G., & Arjana, I. W. B. (2026). Sustainable Culinary Tourism in Ubud, Bali: Preserving Traditional Balinese Food Heritage While Supporting Tourism Growth. Journal of Tourism Economics and Policy, 6(1), 254–262. https://doi.org/10.38142/jtep.v6i1.1883
Surya, A. A. B., & Nugraha, W. (2022). Pentingnya Literasi Pariwisata Dalam Mewujudkan Sustainable Tourism di Bali. Jurnal Informasi Perpustakaan Dan Kearsipan, 2(1), 2828–1772. https://doi.org/10.26418/jipka.v2i1.60251
Wayan, I., Pratama, A., Desak, N., Santi Diwyarthi, M., Jata, W., Wayan, N., Pinaria, C., Citrawati, L. P., & Kusumarini, I. (2024). Analysis of Sustainable Tourism Management, Tourist Education, and Environmental Awareness on Visit Intention in Ubud, Bali. In West Science Social and Humanities Studies (Vol. 02, Number 07). https://doi.org/10.58812/wsshs.v2i07.1126
Widiati, I. A. P., Suryani, L. P., & Permatasari, I. (2023). Development and Implementation Strategy of Quality Tourism in The Management of The Tourism Industry in Bali. Proceedings of the International Conference on “Changing of Law: Business Law, Local Wisdom and Tourism Industry” (ICCLB 2023), 834–842. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-180-7_89
Wiryawan, I. W. G., Julianti, L., Permadhi, P. L. O., & Abdullah, N. B. (2026). Integrated Spatial Governance for Sustainable Tourism in Bali. Journal of Sustainable Development and Regulatory Issues, 4(1), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.53955/jsderi.v4i1.135
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Made Herry Erika, Jery Christianto, Dinar Sukma Pramesti

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1. Copyright Retention and Open Access License
Authors retain copyright of their work and grant the journal non-exclusive right of first publication under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
This license allows unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
2. Rights Granted Under CC BY 4.0
Under this license, readers are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, including commercial use
- No additional restrictions — the licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as license terms are followed
3. Attribution Requirements
All uses must include:
- Proper citation of the original work
- Link to the Creative Commons license
- Indication if changes were made to the original work
- No suggestion that the licensor endorses the user or their use
4. Additional Distribution Rights
Authors may:
- Deposit the published version in institutional repositories
- Share through academic social networks
- Include in books, monographs, or other publications
- Post on personal or institutional websites
Requirement: All additional distributions must maintain the CC BY 4.0 license and proper attribution.
5. Self-Archiving and Pre-Print Sharing
Authors are encouraged to:
- Share pre-prints and post-prints online
- Deposit in subject-specific repositories (e.g., arXiv, bioRxiv)
- Engage in scholarly communication throughout the publication process
6. Open Access Commitment
This journal provides immediate open access to all content, supporting the global exchange of knowledge without financial, legal, or technical barriers.
