JAKARTA — Indonesia has decided to impose a freeze on the development of hotels, villas, and nightclubs in select regions of Bali, as the country faces challenges related to excessive land development, according to a senior official from the ministry on Monday.

This moratorium is part of the government’s efforts to enhance tourism in Bali, one of the country’s top destinations, aiming to improve both quality and employment while safeguarding the local culture.

Hermin Esti, a prominent official from the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs, informed Reuters that the government has approved the moratorium, although discussions about the specific timeline are ongoing.

On Saturday, Bali’s acting governor, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, proposed this freeze in four bustling areas of Bali to the central government, targeting the excessive commercial development of hotels, villas, and beach clubs.

The governor’s office and Indonesia’s tourism ministry did not immediately reply to inquiries on Monday.

The freeze on construction could last for as long as 10 years, according to senior minister Luhut Pandjaitan, as reported by the news site Detik on Sunday.

Luhut has previously mentioned that around 200,000 foreign residents currently live in Bali, which has led to issues like crime, excessive development, and job competition.

Since reopening for tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign arrivals in Bali have surged. Instances of unruly tourist behavior frequently make headlines, igniting frustration among locals and provoking strong reactions on social media in Indonesia.

According to government statistics, 2.9 million international travelers arrived at Bali airport in the first six months of this year, accounting for 65% of all foreign arrivals by air in Indonesia.

Last year, Bali had 541 hotels, an increase from 507 in 2019.