BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR — Indonesian House of Representatives Commission VI member from the Golkar Party faction, Gde Sumarjaya Linggih, believes the planned North Bali Airport project will spark the emergence of new economic growth centers across Bali, particularly in the northern, eastern, and western regions of the island.

The senior politician, widely known as Demer, said strategic infrastructure development such as airports, seaports, and tourism zones is urgently needed to accelerate more balanced development across Bali.

According to Demer, Bali possesses a unique global tourism appeal that distinguishes it from other regions in Indonesia, making the construction of an airport in North Bali highly attractive for major investors.

“If the North Bali airport starts construction, I dare to bet that within six months there will be at least five star-rated hotels breaking ground,” he said during an interview discussing equitable development in Bali.

Demer, a senior legislator in Commission VI overseeing trade, industry, investment, cooperatives, SMEs, state-owned enterprises, and national standardization, said the tourism potential of North Bali has not been fully optimized.

He noted that North Bali offers closer access to several leading tourist destinations, including Kintamani, Bedugul, Tulamben, waterfall attractions, and white-sand beaches spread across northern and eastern Bali.

He also highlighted the sea views along Bali’s northern coastline as a major attraction for the development of international tourism destinations and new economic zones.

According to Demer, the future international airport in North Bali would provide an alternative gateway for foreign tourists, reducing dependence on South Bali as the island’s primary entry point.

“What we expect is not a shift from the south to the north, but for foreign tourists to have the option of entering Bali directly through North Bali,” he said.

He emphasized that infrastructure development is not only about connecting regions but also about creating new, independent, and sustainable economic growth centers.

The proposed North Bali Airport has long been considered one of Bali’s key strategic projects aimed at promoting more balanced regional development and reducing economic disparities that remain concentrated in the southern part of the island.