October 31, 2025 | 11:24 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The construction of a glass elevator in Nusa Penida, Bali, has sparked controversy. The elevator at Kelingking Beach was built to make it easier for visitors to reach the beach, but it has also damaged the scenery. Furthermore, the construction of the elevator has compromised the purity of the beach, which tourists actually favored.
In response to the emerging polemic, the Ministry of Tourism stated that it is supervising the construction in collaboration with the local government. Supervision is conducted to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and maintain environmental sustainability in the surrounding area.
"The Ministry of Tourism will oversee the construction of the elevator together with the Provincial Office of Bali, the Tourism Office of Klungkung Regency, and related parties to ensure that the implementation complies with the prevailing regulations and takes into account the existing environmental conditions," said Hariyanto, the Deputy for Destination Development and Infrastructure of the Ministry of Tourism, in Jakarta on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
Hariyanto emphasized that supervision has been in place since the planning stage of the elevator construction in 2023 to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and consideration of sustainability, safety, cleanliness, and environmental conditions in the area.
The Ministry of Tourism agreed with the Tourism Office of Klungkung Regency's viewpoint, stating that the elevator facility could increase visitor numbers and the average length of stay by becoming a new attraction. However, the government encourages all tourism destination development efforts to consider environmental sustainability and the authenticity of tourist attractions to promote sustainable tourism.
"The Ministry of Tourism also encourages the elevator developers to apply green construction standards during the construction process, and in the future, to utilize technology that uses renewable energy sources to minimize the impact of global warming," he added.
He also stressed that all aspects of tourism development should adhere to sustainable principles and embrace local cultural values and philosophies. This ensures that development does not erode local cultural identity or the authenticity of tourist attractions.
Additionally, the local community is expected to participate in the planning and operation to ensure economic benefits are distributed equitably and local knowledge is preserved.
Visits to Nusa Penida
Hariyanto claimed that, thus far, construction has not negatively impacted the number of visits to Nusa Penida. According to tourist visit data from the Klungkung Regency Tourism Office, there was a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting Nusa Penida, rising from 714,335 in 2023 to 1,108,791 in 2024.
"Looking ahead, tourist visits are expected to remain high, even as the construction of the elevator continues. This optimism is supported by Nusa Penida's global achievements as the best beach in the world, as recognized by Tripadvisor in 2024 and Trip Best 2025 Global Water Fun Attraction by Trip.com," he said.
"In addition, with a daily average of around 3,000 to 6,000 tourist visits. The Klungkung Regency government is optimistic that the target of 1.5 million tourist visits can be achieved by 2025," he added.
News of the construction of a glass elevator in a tourist area went viral on social media on Tuesday. The 182-meter-high project and 64-meter-long bridge appear to obscure part of the beach panorama, leading locals to believe that the natural beauty of Kelingking has been disrupted. The residents of Klungkung feel that the elevator has diminished the natural appeal of Kelingking, a scenic spot favored by tourists.
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