Bali’s luxury villa owners should use the forced lower occupancy brought about by the on again, off again, volcanic activity of Mount Agung to their advantage and consider structural upgrades and renovations to their properties now.
The 2017 Christmas holiday season was supposed to be a high point for Bali. Even in the midst of the annual monsoon season, Bali luxury villas fill to bursting with end-of-year holidaymakers from across the globe, especially from regional markets like Australia, Singapore and China. Instead, the tourism industry saw a steep downturn in visitor arrivals and a slew of cancellations brought about by the continued and as yet to be realised eruption of one of the Island of the Gods’ resident volcanoes, Mount Agung.
Indonesia’s Tourism Minister, Arief Yahya, said in December that Indonesia was expecting an estimated 15 trillion rupiah ($1.11 billion) in lost income and around 1 million fewer tourists because of the volcano, according to daily newspaper Kompas.
Embrace a new feel in your luxury Bali villa
As the saying goes, every cloud – or ash cloud as the case may be – has a silver lining, and for owners of luxury Bali Villa stays a forced downturn in occupancy offers an opportunity to spruce up your investment for when the tourists return (and they will).
Bali’s accent as a global tourism destination has brought an influx of new ideas, styles and trends along with the tourists. Take a stroll through areas like Seminyak or Canggu, and you’ll see interior design styles reminiscent of New York’s Greenwich Village or enduring boroughs of cool like Sydney’s Surry Hills, or Shoreditch in London. Minimalist and industrial themes, warm touches, and the blurring of indoor-outdoor spaces are all contemporary trends that will futureproof your property for the next generation of international traveller.
Modernise common spaces
When looking at your property’s common spaces, it’s important to understand the changing tastes of discerning international clientele – while the traditional Balinese look is timeless and suits some properties, it also suffers from a lack of versatility. Owners should consider modernising a villa’s common spaces, including kitchens, bathrooms, living, dining, and outdoor areas.
Redo surfaces
Bali’s tropical climate wears down surfaces over time. Constant moisture, heavy rains during the annual monsoon, and sometimes poor quality can leave surfaces such as tiled floors and benchtops in need of much-needed repair. As part of any renovation, consider updating surfaces in line with a new interior theme. Bali’s many local and expat artisans offer imaginative, original and contemporary tile and benchtop designs, and a qualified interior designer may even have existing relationships and can order bespoke pieces.