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Exa: e.vnexpress.net
Exa: e.vnexpress.net
Bali Zero handles visas, company setup, tax and property compliance in Indonesia. Ask us directly on WhatsApp.
Chat with Bali Zero on WhatsAppSustainable travel has shifted from a marketing buzzword to a measurable policy axis across Southeast Asia, with governments in the region competing t
Sustainable travel has shifted from a marketing buzzword to a measurable policy axis across Southeast Asia, with governments in the region competing to attract the high-value, low-impact visitor demographic that international tourism bodies have been promoting since the post-pandemic recovery.
Thailand has positioned itself at the forefront, embedding sustainability criteria into its tourism masterplan and piloting carbon-offset schemes for inbound flights. The Thai government has floated entrance fees at sensitive natural sites and is trialling a tourist insurance levy partly earmarked for environmental restoration — moves that mirror what Bali implemented with its Rp150,000 international visitor levy in February 2024.
Vietnam has seen significant momentum driven by private-sector hospitality groups rather than top-down policy. A cluster of eco-certified resorts in Ha Long Bay and the Central Highlands has created commercial pressure on operators to pursue Green Key or LEED certification. The government has responded by integrating sustainability metrics into its national tourism competitiveness index.
The Philippines has taken a more enforcement-oriented approach. Following the high-profile closure of Boracay in 2018 — a watershed moment for the region — authorities have maintained stricter carrying-capacity controls and periodic temporary closures of at-risk islands. Palawan's regulatory framework is now frequently cited as a regional benchmark.
Malaysia and Singapore, while not traditional beach-tourism destinations in the same mould, are investing heavily in sustainable MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) tourism and eco-corridor development in Borneo. Singapore's Changi Airport has become a reference point for green aviation infrastructure in the region.
Indonesia, with Bali as its flagship tourism province, occupies a complex position. The visitor levy, restrictions on single-use plastics, and Bali's Provincial Regulation No. 5 of 2023 on environmental quality signal regulatory intent. However, enforcement gaps and the sheer volume of tourism infrastructure development — particularly in Nusa Penida, Lombok, and the Buleleng corridor — create friction between stated policy and observable outcomes. Regional observers note that Indonesia's decentralised governance model means sustainability outcomes vary sharply between kabupaten (regencies).
The regional sustainability race matters to our clients in a very concrete way: it is increasingly determining which type of tourist arrives, how much they spend, and what kind of business environment
they create around themselves. The high-spend, sustainability-conscious traveller cohort — which several studies place at a 30–40% premium over the average beach tourist in daily expenditure — active
ly chooses destinations with credible green credentials. Bali is competing for that segment against Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines simultaneously.
For villa owners and hospitality operators, this translates into a clear commercial signal: sustainability certification is transitioning from a differentiator into a baseline expectation for premium OTA listings and corporate travel programmes. The operators who secure Green Key, EarthCheck, or equivalent certification in the next 12–18 months will be positioned to capture the segment; those who don't risk being filtered out of the highest-yield booking channels.
There is also a regulatory risk dimension. As Indonesia's central government faces pressure to demonstrate environmental seriousness — particularly ahead of major international forums — provincial and regency-level enforcement of existing rules tends to tighten. Businesses operating in coastal setback zones or without current environmental impact permits (UKL-UPL/AMDAL) should treat this moment as a compliance review trigger, not a distant concern.
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