Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism has officially launched the Clean Tourism Campaign, an innovative initiative to preserve the country’s natural landscape while boosting the appeal of its top tourist destinations. A pilot program has already begun, with activities kicking off over the weekend in Bali.
The Clean Tourism Campaign aims to improve the quality of tourism across Indonesia by addressing pressing environmental issues and increasing the appeal of domestic destinations. A core focus of the program is to raise public awareness about keeping things clean and protecting the environment.
The program emphasizes two key areas: waste management and cleanliness of public facilities such as toilets. The goal is to create a waste-free environment and instill a culture of environmental stewardship among locals and tourists.
Pilot Locations and Expansion Plans Eight destinations have been selected to participate in the pilot phase of the program: Bali, Mandalika, Borobudur, Labuan Bajo, Likupang, Lake Toba, Jakarta, and the Riau Islands. If successful, the program will be expanded to other parts of the country.
New data from the Tourism and Travel Development Index highlights the importance of the campaign. Indonesia currently ranks 86th out of 114 countries for health and hygiene, but it has made significant progress, climbing from 32nd to 22nd in the 2024 assessment. This improvement is expected to continue with initiatives such as the Clean Tourism Campaign.
Bali, often seen as the poster child for Indonesia’s tourism industry, plays a key role in this initiative. Several of Bali’s main attractions, including the Monkey Forest and Taro Village, have been recognized for their effective waste management systems, serving as models for other areas.
However, Bali’s beaches face challenges, with seasonal tides bringing large amounts of plastic waste, especially at popular beaches such as Kedonganan, Jimbaran, Kuta and Legian. While the south-central coastline is the worst affected, other areas such as Candidasa, Amed and Tulamben are largely unaffected and offer cleaner options for tourists.
The Indonesian government has pledged strong support to address marine litter and has deployed dedicated teams to address the issue, especially in Bali, a key tourism hub. The Clean Tourism Campaign underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining Bali’s reputation as a world-class tourist destination by improving waste management systems and promoting sustainable practices.
With the launch of the Clean Tourism Campaign, Indonesia is taking meaningful steps towards sustainable tourism and environmental conservation. As the program progresses, the hope is to see not only cleaner landscapes, but also greater awareness and involvement from locals and tourists to preserve the country’s natural beauty for future generations.
