Construction of towering eyesore on scenic Bali seashore thrown into chaos – as locals fume vacationers have ‘ruined ANOTHER magnificence spot’
Local residents have sworn off a popular Bali beach after images surfaced of a mammoth construction project at the site – as officials threaten to halt the project altogether.
Construction of the 180-metre-high glass elevator and an adjoining 64-metre bridge at Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida, an island south-east of Bali, began last year.
The US$1.4million project was designed to assist beachgoers in traversing the scenic cliffside, dubbed the ‘T-Rex’ for its unique shape, down to the beachfront.
But recently surfaced images of the project have triggered outrage from local beachgoers – blaming tourism for spoiling yet another beloved site.
‘I can’t (sic) no longer recommend a visit to Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida,’ one Balinese wrote on social media.
‘Unfortunately, the breathtaking, pristine views that made this location famous are being compromised by the construction of a large, intrusive glass viewing lift.’
‘Do we want to turn this island into just another commercial hub for investors?’ another woman wrote.
‘I still remember when this place felt wild – untouched, almost sacred,’ Dutch expat Twan van Halm wrote on Instagram.
Construction of a giant glass elevator at Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida has sparked major backlash from locals, claiming the eyesore detracts from the site’s natural beauty
Others claim the project may have failed to obtain the necessary permits before works began
‘When the climb down made your heart race and every step reminded you that beauty takes effort. Now it’s all signs, selfies, shortcuts.’
Others questioned the need for the project to begin with, claiming the true dangers came from swimming off the beach rather than scaling its cliffs.
‘Many tourists experience accidents because they go down,’ local woman Made Sediana told the Bali Sun newspaper.
‘If it were easier for guests to go down, it would be dangerous too.
‘The coastline is narrow there, and big waves come suddenly. The best way to enjoy Kelingking Beach’s beauty is from above.’
Only last month, a 32-year-old French tourist drowned after being swept away by strong currents off Kelingking Beach.
Local officials too have raised concerns with the project, following claims claims appropriate permits may not have been obtained before works began.
Governor of Bali I Wayan Koster confirmed he would be ‘looking deeper’ into the licensing and permits to determine whether there have been any breaches, the Bali Sun reported.
Locals fear the iconic beach could be permanently ruined by the massive construction project
‘If violations are serious, it’s closed!’ he told reporters on Thursday.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, however, has defended the project which it claimed it has supervised with local authorities since planning began in 2023.
Hariyanto, the Ministry’s deputy for destination development and infrastructure, also claimed the elevator would boost tourism to the island.
‘Looking ahead, tourist visits are expected to remain high, even as the construction of the lift continues,’ he told Tempo magazine.
‘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.’
The project has revived accusations the government is prioritising tourist infrastructure over the desires of locals.
Questions of overtourism surfaced following devastating floods in September, after planning experts suggested fast-tracked construction, including in tourist hotspots, had stripped the land of its natural flood resistance.
‘There is so much tourist accommodation being built, and according to our records, much of it is built by violating coastal zones, river zones and often these developments are located in disaster-prone areas,’ Walhi Bali executive director Krisna Dinata told the ABC.
The project has revived fears of overtourism to Bali
He added: ‘Even in the eyes of the world, Bali is seen as a case of overtourism.’
Bali placed as the number one destination not to visit in 2025 on Fodors Magazine’s ‘no list’, with overtourism and ‘unchecked development’ as its key reasons.
‘Once-pristine beaches like Kuta and Seminyak are now buried under piles of trash, with local waste management systems struggling to keep up,’ it said.
Despite the backlash, Bali is expected to receive 6.5million foreign tourists this year, setting a new annual record and well exceeding its local population of 4.4million.
