A new helipad at Bali’s UNESCO World Heritage Jatiluwih Rice Terraces is set to open in March 2025, designed to accommodate VIP tourists. The helipad, located in Banjar Kesambi, has completed successful testing and trial landings, according to Jhon Ketut Purna, general manager of Jatiluwih Rice Terraces. "It will be launched in March 2025. The trials have gone well," he confirmed.
The helipad’s placement ensures minimal impact on the cultural integrity of the rice terraces. Purna assured that the location, distant from the terraces, would not affect the landscape. The idea of a helipad has been discussed since 2019, though a previous plan within the heritage area was rejected by Indonesia’s Ministry of Education and Culture to protect the Subak system, a traditional water management practice vital to local agriculture.
Purna did not clarify whether the helipad would be used for commercial helicopter tours but emphasised that it would primarily serve VIP guests. While helicopter tours around Bali’s Mount Batur and Ubud rice terraces have grown in popularity, Jatiluwih’s focus remains on elite visits.
The village’s inclusion in the UN World Tourism Organisation’s 2025 list of the world’s best tourism villages is expected to increase tourism. Purna highlighted the need to balance tourism development with cultural preservation, stating, “Our priority is preserving cultural heritage, protecting the environment, and responsibly managing tourism growth.”