New oversight rules follow high-profile deportations in Canggu
Authorities in Bali's Badung Regency have announced tighter monitoring of community events and public gatherings organized by foreign nationals, a direct response to an incident involving a run club in Canggu that resulted in two deportations and drew international media attention. The move signals a more systematic approach to enforcing rules that have long existed on paper but were inconsistently applied.
The Badung Regency Tourism Office (Dispar) moved quickly after viral allegations emerged that Indonesian citizens had been turned away from a running event organized by a foreign-led group. AA Putri Mas Agung, Head of the Badung Tourism Office, told reporters the office would push for a clearer notification mechanism covering every community group or event organizer that uses public spaces in the regency. According to Agung, the mechanism is designed so that "every activity can be monitored from the start, including licensing, impacts on the surrounding community, and compliance with applicable regulations."
Badung Regency covers some of Bali's most visited areas, including Canggu, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Uluwatu, making the policy shift relevant to a large share of the island's foreign resident and visitor population.
What the rules actually require
The core message from officials is straightforward: any event held in a public space, whether ticketed or free, requires proper licensing and sign-off from local government and relevant stakeholders before it takes place. Agung stated that Badung wants tourism to remain "inclusive, orderly, and respectful of the rights of all parties," while making clear that all activities must respect local culture and comply with applicable regulations.
Beyond the event-licensing question, there is a visa dimension that catches many well-meaning organizers off guard. Organizing or facilitating an event of any kind is classified as work under Indonesian regulations. That classification means a standard tourist visa or a socio-cultural visa does not cover the activity, regardless of whether money changes hands. Even holders of investment, pre-investment, or business visas need to verify that their specific permits extend to event organization, which often requires approvals across multiple agencies.
The Regent of Badung, I Wayan Adi Arnawa, confirmed the regency government's commitment to maintaining order in public spaces and praised the swift response of all parties involved in addressing the run club case. The Tourism Office has referred the specific deportation case to the Immigration Office and police for formal resolution.
The Bali Sun, which first reported these details on July 28, 2026, described the Canggu run club incident as a landmark case likely to set the tone for stricter enforcement going forward.
Why it matters for hosts
Independent accommodation operators in Badung, particularly those in Canggu, Seminyak, and Uluwatu, frequently field requests from guests wanting to organize yoga sessions, social runs, pop-up markets, or community dinners on or near their properties. The new notification mechanism means hosts should proactively advise guests that any organized gathering in a public space requires advance licensing, not just a casual arrangement. Hosts who facilitate unlicensed events on their premises or in adjacent public areas could find themselves drawn into compliance reviews. The practical step is to establish a clear house policy, keep a contact at the local village administration (banjar) or tourism office, and direct guests to seek proper permits well before any event date. Staying ahead of this process protects both the guest and the property's operating relationship with local authorities.
Details in this post were first reported by The Bali Sun.
First reported by Bali Travel.