Jakarta, July 19 -- Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism is stepping up its collaboration with the Bali provincial government to develop more sustainable and high-quality tourism, particularly in response to the challenges currently facing the island.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said in a statement on Saturday that Bali remains a strategic tourist destination and plays a vital role in the country's tourism industry.

This is evident from the steadily increasing number of domestic and international visitors each year, she said.

Wardhana noted that several pressing challenges require immediate attention and strong synergy between central and local authorities. One key issue is unlicensed accommodation, especially villas operating...