🗞️ Today’s Highlights: 2026 Jatiluwih Festival and Tourism Road Race Grand Opening, Water Police Crack Down on Green Turtle Smuggling
- Boosting the Local Economy! The 7th ‘2026 Jatiluwih Festival’ Kicks Off with a Major Road Race, World Heritage Terrace Hotels Fully Booked: The Regent of Tabanan officially inaugurated the 7th ‘2026 Jatiluwih Festival’ with a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday. This festival, aimed at revitalizing grassroots agriculture and sustainable tourism, has this year partnered deeply with the ‘Bali Tourism Run,’ channeling a large influx of international runners and local tourists over two days (June 20-21) to this iconic UNESCO-recognized ‘World’s Best Tourism Village’ terrace area. Festival committee chairman John Ketut confirmed that thanks to the sports event, local homestays and boutique eco-hotels in Jatiluwih, which typically see occupancy rates below 50%, have soared to an astonishing 100% full booking this weekend. Besides the scenic terrace road race, the event features local farmers, UMKM craft stalls, and large-scale traditional decorative art exhibitions. Officials remind independent travelers heading to the central highlands of Bedugul or the terrace areas this weekend to be mindful of local traffic congestion.
- Strong Protection of Marine Ecology! Bali Water Police (Ditpolairud) Intercept and Seize 21 Rare Green Turtles in Smuggling Case on Northern Buleleng Coast: According to an emergency environmental enforcement report released by the Badung Regency and provincial police headquarters late on June 20, the Indonesian Water and Air Police (Ditpolairud Polda Bali) successfully cracked a major smuggling case of nationally protected Class II animals on the northern coast of Buleleng Regency at Pegametan Beach. Acting on a secret tip from local villagers, enforcement officers conducted a raid, seizing and safely rescuing 21 live green turtles (Penyu Hijau) ready for illegal sale, and arrested a 67-year-old male prime suspect (KS). Preliminary interrogation indicates the rare turtles were illegally smuggled ashore by boat from dangerous waters near Madura Island, East Java, late at night. Police emphasized a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards illegal hunting and trade of protected wildlife, with the suspect facing up to 15 years in prison and heavy fines. The turtles have been handed over to marine conservation scientists for health assessments and will be released at a later date.
📄 Tourist Hot Topics: Jimbaran Oceanman International Open Water Swim and Terrace Strolling Guide
- Swimmers from 27 Nations Gather in Jimbaran! ‘Oceanman Bali 2026’ Open Water Swim Kicks Off at Kedonganan Beach: The internationally renowned outdoor water extreme event—‘2026 Bali Oceanman International Open Water Swim’ has launched spectacularly at Kedonganan Beach (Pantai Kedonganan) in the Jimbaran area. This year’s event attracted a total of 900 top long-distance swimmers and open water enthusiasts from 27 different countries and regions worldwide. Kedonganan Beach in Jimbaran, with its relatively gentle dry-season waves and wide shoreline, serves as the host venue for this international competition. Maritime security teams remind that due to safety zone controls around the beach course this weekend, independent travelers planning to swim or enjoy the famous seafood barbecue at this beach should follow the guidance of on-site staff and lifeguards, avoiding the swimmers’ sprint lanes.
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