Strengthening Tourist Connectivity Between West Bali and East Java
In the last 18 months, Indonesian tourism authorities have been working on strategies to better connect West Bali and East Java as prime travel destinations. While these areas currently attract fewer tourists compared to South Bali, their rich cultural heritage and natural beauty make them equally deserving of exploration. New Initiatives for Enhanced Tourism The Buleleng Regency Tourism Department has announced a collaboration with the Banyuwangi Tourism Department in East Java to boost tourist visits. This partnership aims to establish a fast boat service between the harbors of Buleleng and Banyuwangi, modeled after the successful routes linking mainland Bali with the Nusa Islands, Gili Islands, and Lombok. The new service is expected to make West Bali and East Java more accessible and appealing to tourists. Currently, ferry services operate between Gilimanuk Harbour in Buleleng Regency and Ketapang Harbour in Banyuwangi, East Java. However, the introduction of a fast boat service i