With its pristine sandy beaches and breathtaking clifftop vistas, Uluwatu has quickly become one of the most sought-after destinations on the island of Bali.
As its popularity soars, the development of tourism infrastructure in the area is also on the rise. However, the construction of a new apartment complex, known as the Cube Apartments, has sparked mixed feelings among Bali enthusiasts.
The Cube Apartment complex is currently one of the largest tourism and property development projects taking place in Bali. Situated just 200 meters from Uluwatu Beach, the complex will feature 120 serviced apartments, most of which will offer stunning ocean views.
According to the Cube Apartments website, the complex will offer a wide range of amenities for guests to enjoy, including three swimming pools, sports equipment rental services, a spa, a co-working space, a cinema, a bar, and an on-site restaurant.
Cube Apartments promotes the development as a unique investment opportunity, providing options for leisure travel, serviced apartment living, and business diversification.
The organization explains on its website why it chose the Bukit Peninsula, where Uluwatu is located, for its investment and property development. They mention that affluent tourists and surfers are attracted to the Bukit Peninsula due to reasons such as minimal traffic congestion, excellent surf spots, white sand beaches, clean seas, beautiful nature, and privacy. They also highlight that leading hotel brands like Ritz Carlton, Grand Hyatt, Four Seasons, and Kempinski have chosen this location for their properties.
At first glance, everything seems positive. Cube Apartments is just one of the many large-scale tourism and property development projects taking place in Bali’s emerging tourism hubs.
Their website and social media presence indicate that they are targeting luxury-seeking, high-spending investors and tourists, aligning with the local leaders’ efforts to attract more high-quality tourism.
However, there are differing opinions among Bali enthusiasts regarding the Cube Apartment construction and the addition of 120 properties in Uluwatu.
Certain campaigners have taken to social media to express their discontent with what they perceive as the “absurd” nature of such a complex being built in Uluwatu.
One of these campaign groups, Stop Uluwatu Destruction, has gained increasing support in recent days, even from notable Balinese businesswoman and social justice advocate Ni Luh Djelantik. They utilize their social media presence to raise concerns about the potential consequences of overdevelopment in Uluwatu.
Stop Uluwatu Destruction is determined to prevent the “Cangguization” and destruction of Uluwatu. Canggu, currently the most popular tourist destination in Bali, has undergone significant transformation in the past seven years. Some people believe that this development has led to Canggu losing some of its traditional charm and fear that a similar fate awaits Uluwatu.
These concerns are compounded by the impact of rising property prices, cost of living, and limited access to public resources for the local population.
The Stop Uluwatu Destruction group has launched an online petition in hopes of having the project’s licenses revoked. Although construction of the six-floor, 120-apartment complex is already underway, the campaigners aim to rally support and potentially halt the development.
They express concerns that Uluwatu may resemble Las Vegas in a few years if such property developments continue unchecked.
Within a few days, the online petition has already amassed half of the desired number of signatures. The power of social media in Bali should not be underestimated, as seen through the impact of recent viral videos featuring misbehavior by foreigners.
Whether the campaign group succeeds in its mission remains uncertain. However, it is undeniable that development in Uluwatu is already booming.
The demand for tourism infrastructure has undeniably arrived, presenting both positive and negative consequences for everyone involved.
Despite the ongoing developments, Uluwatu remains a paradise for beach lovers, offering attractions such as the tranquil waves of Padang Padang Beach and the thrilling surfing breaks off Nyang Nyang. Uluwatu continues to shine as the jewel of Bali.
