No emissions, no noise, and no traffic jams. Only fresh air, physiotherapy, and treatment from top doctors with international experience. This is how the authorities of Bali envision a vacation in Sanur by the end of 2024.
The Bali International Hospital is set to become a magnet for those seeking to improve their health, and the area will be freed from traffic jams with the help of electric shuttle buses.
A significant event for those who practice medical tourism is planned for the end of 2024. An international clinic in Sanur will open its doors by December for both locals and foreigners who prefer to seek treatment abroad.
Currently, the largest centers for medical tourism in Asia are Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. People fly there for treatment because medical help in their own countries is too expensive. Another reason locals prefer to seek health care abroad is the higher quality of care. Indonesia, by opening a large international clinic in Sanur, plans not only to join the ranks of countries offering medical services but to almost lead it.
"Undoubtedly, Bali will have to develop the brand of wellness tourism for quality guests," said the chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association in Bali (GIPI), Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana. In his opinion, attracting such travelers will require more effort.
He also noted that in the near future, support will be given not only to medical tourism but also to musical and sports tourism. This will be done to attract a wider range of travelers. Currently, most people come to Bali for nature, culture, or spiritual quests.
However, officials understand that the quality tourists they want to attract value amenities, infrastructure, comfort, and safety. Therefore, while developing the Sanur Special Economic Zone, they are building not only an international hospital. The area, covering more than 41 hectares, includes five-star hotels, villas, serviced apartments for the elderly, parks, small business centers, and halls for meetings and events.
Additionally, they plan to invest in additional medical services in the area. For example, opening plastic surgery clinics, stem cell therapy centers, infertility treatment clinics, dental services, geriatric services, and much more.
There is no doubt that such a setup will attract even more tourists to Sanur. It is also almost certain that such travelers will not be getting around on rented motorbikes—they will need more comfortable transport. But where there are more cars, there are even more traffic jams.
This problem is also planned to be addressed in the coming months. The Denpasar government plans to launch five electric shuttle bus routes in Sanur. They aim to ease traffic on Danau Tamblingan Street and its surroundings. They hope to purchase even more of these buses next year, said Denpasar Deputy Mayor Kadek Agus Arya Wibawa.
"To reduce congestion, we will purchase electric shuttle buses. They will be used to transport people visiting the Sanur area," he said.
It is planned that those who come to Sanur by car will switch to the electric buses. Special parking lots will be created for them to leave their personal vehicles. For example, one such parking lot could be in front of the Grand Hyatt hotel. The idea is that after leaving their cars near the hotel, people will use the electric buses to get to cafes or other places.
Currently, this scheme is still in the idea stage. The Department of Transportation is working on how to properly organize everything, clarified the deputy mayor of Denpasar. If this traffic organization scheme proves effective, parking along Danau Tamblingan Street will be prohibited. Consequently, motorists will have to leave their cars at the hotel or another location designated by the local authorities as a park-and-ride lot.
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