Social media is one of the biggest assets for tourism developers and local tourism leaders in Bali. This is particularly true for Pandawa Beach and the surrounding coastline in South Kuta. Thanks to TikTok and Instagram, interest in Pandawa Beach and neighboring Tanah Barak Beach is soaring. Tanah Barak Beach is something of a hidden gem, but not for much longer. Accessible through a cliff-lined gorge, Tanah Barak Beach is being touted as South Kuta’s next most popular destination.
Speaking to local reporters, Head of Planning and Development of DTW Pantai Pandawa, Wayan Duarta, said that interest in Tanah Barak Beach and Pandawa Beach has soared since December 2022. He said the towering cliffs that trail down to the ‘hidden’ beach are becoming ultra-popular online. The cliff-lined road is 300m long and 8m wide; the cliffs tower above 40m high at their peak.
Duarta noted that Tanah Barak Beach is managed as a part of Pandawa Beach. He explained, “Most tourists who visit do swimming and surfing activities. Because there is a beach spot called Tanah Barak, which is an integral part of the Pandawa Beach DTW.”
The surge in interest in Pandawa Beach has got Duarta and his teams into a creative headspace. They are discussing how to make the most of the rising number of visitors in the longer term. He explained that he and his team are talking about blocking off the road that goes through the cliffs so that tourists can walk through and safely admire the geology and take photos. His teams are also discussing the possibility of glamping on Tanah Barak Beach.
Duarta explained, “We have indeed conceptualized the road as one of the [tourism] objects. Because I see in other places, many photography activities take place on public roads. So when a car passes by, like it or not, the photo activity has to stop for a moment. Of course, it makes [them] uncomfortable. While here, we really made it specifically for that.”
The Head of Kutuh Village, I Wayan Mudana, told reporters that he is aware that Tanah Barak Beach is going viral online. He said that the unique nature of the landscape is charming and will undoubtedly be of interest to visitors. He added, “With the new spot, it is hoped that it can attract more tourists. The location is indeed very exotic and beautiful because it is flanked by high cliffs.”
Pandawa Beach is fast becoming the destination of choice in South Kuta. As is the case with so many of Bali’s popular destinations, the area is currently more popular with domestic tourists, and the majority of social media content about the beach is made by Indonesian creators and holidaymakers.
Yet, the beach is just a stone’s throw away from some of Bali’s most luxurious and exclusive villas. The Pandawa Cliff Estate, Villa Tirta Kencana, and Shams Ocean Estate, to name but a few.
Pandawa Beach and neighboring Tanah Barak Beach caught the attention of social media users in December and were pinned as being a destination to watch in 2023. Just a little over a month into the year, and the area continues to gather momentum. The beach has long been overlooked, especially by international travelers.
Yet, the stretch of coastline has a lot to offer. The area offers a classic Bali beachside experience. Dozens of deckchairs and sun umbrellas are available to hire for the day or by the hour. Locally run cafes line the edge of the sand, and there are surfboards and kayaks available for hire for a reasonable price.
The question is now whether the cliff-lined gorge that leads to Tanah Barak Beach will become the next Kelingking Beach viewpoint or even Broken Beach lookout.
Source : https://thebalisun.com/balis-tanah-barak-beach-goes-viral-prompting-leaders-to-plan-for-new-destination/
