Asia’s most beautiful island fears rise of foreign crime syndicates

Police data shows a rise in crimes involving foreigners from 194 cases in 2023 to 226 in 2024, The Bali Sun reported.

Local politician Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih blamed the jump in crime partly on an influx of long-term, low-budget travelers staying in illegal accommodations.

"The quality of tourists coming to Bali is decreasing," he told The Guardian newspaper of Britain.

"The rapid growth of illegal homestays allows low-budget foreigners to stay longer."

With more than 60,000 daily visitors and a population of 4.2 million, Bali, named Asia's most beautiful at this year's annual Reader's Choice Awards by DestinAsian magazine, received over 6.3 million foreign tourists last year and hopes to reach 6.5 million this year.

But locals fear the island is straining under the weight of mass tourism and inadequate controls.

Without swift intervention, Bali might become a breeding ground for organized crime, commentators warn.

On June 14 two Australians were shot in Munggu village, Badung District, leaving one dead and the other injured.

Authorities quickly apprehended three Australians believed to be involved in the incident and increased security to prevent similar crimes in future.