Anything seems possible in Bali, especially when it comes to developing new tourism offers. Just when the island seems to have covered all its bases, new tourism activity is making its presence known. A Bali village leader says an Australian investor will develop skydiving tourism in Bali, Tabanan province.
The Project is Awaiting Approval from Highest Authorities
The idea for the development has been in the pipeline since 2019, according to local leaders. Given the pandemic and the apparent time it takes to get a project like this off the ground, the permit application has just expired and has been submitted to the relevant authorities. Dewa Made Maharjaya, Kelating’s customary village chief, said the new venture was a positive one.
“The latest development, which has not yet been received, is still awaiting approval from the centre while approval in Bali is finalized,” he said.
It means that the first license to operate the business has been issued. The project is currently awaiting final approval from the highest authorities.
Progress will certainly be made. Maharjaya confirmed that investors and business developers have met and signed agreements with local communities and landlords. He confirmed that the investor had transferred funds to the landowner to lease the land needed to operate the skydiving experience.
The center will be built on 7.5 hectares of land currently owned by 25 local residents. This is a long-term rental property.
Maharjaya suggested that the parachute jump should be seasonal so as not to affect the viability of the agriculturally productive land in Kelating Village.
“The construction site is located at Banjar Dangin Jalan, east of Kahyangan Puseh Temple,” he said.
He also confirmed that an investment team based in Australia and Jakarta had coordinated a meeting with the Tabanan Tourism office, noting that progress in this regard was positive.
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The Flight Zone Has to be Far Enough from the Airport
Regarding the permission to fly planes in southern Bali, Maharjaya said the flight zone for the skydiving experience is far enough away from the airspace used by I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar.
Currently, there are two companies offering skydiving experiences in Bali. One is SkyDive Bali, which actually operates from the Gili Islands, and the other is Tour East Indonesia, which offers an indoor skydiving experience.
Environmental Impact of The Skydiving Tourism in Bali
Developing a skydiving tourism experience is sure to generate mixed emotions with both locals and tourists. Maharjaya and his community see the investment as a positive development, but they are not prepared to implement the experience.
Some have expressed concern about the environmental impact of both infrastructures required and the potential noise pollution from airplanes flying over residential areas.
Balinese leaders have promised to promote greener tourism and align infrastructure development with Balinese values, but many projects with official approval are reluctant to do so.
Even the Tourism Minister himself wants Bali to be touted as a destination of ‘tranquility, spirituality, and sustainability’.
Final approval of the skydiving tourism program has not yet been made with the participation of the local community, but the paperwork and investment are well underway and it is very likely that the venture will get the go-ahead.
The company will no doubt also face kickback from helicopter tour operators and paraglider guides offering aerial adventures on the Island of the Gods.
