Bali Travel Hot Topics & News Roundup｜September 21, 2026

🌏 Representatives from 43 Countries Gather in Bali: IAWP 2026 International Conference Officially Begins

Today marks the start of Bali’s most internationally significant event.

The 63rd International Association of Women Police (IAWP) Annual Training Conference 2026 opened on September 20 at Nusa Dua, Bali, with around 450 representatives from 43 countries in attendance. The conference runs through September 24.

This event goes beyond a typical conference, with discussions covering topics such as women in leadership, human trafficking, tech-related crime, counterterrorism, and transnational crime.

On the same day, female police officers from various countries also took part in a Parade of Nations in the Renon area of Denpasar, donning their uniforms, waving national flags, and enjoying traditional Balinese cultural performances.

For travelers, there’s currently no indication that Nusa Dua or Denpasar should be avoided, but this major international event does explain the recent heightened security at Ngurah Rai Airport.

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🌾 Beyond Ubud! Sudaji in Buleleng Launches ‘Sport + Rural’ Tourism

Travelers looking to avoid the crowds at popular southern spots can start turning their attention to northern Bali.

On September 20, Sudaji Village in Buleleng hosted its first Sudaji Peace Trail Fun Run 2026, attracting hundreds of runners along a 6-kilometer route through local rice fields and rural landscapes.

What makes this event special is that it’s not just a road race—it aims to weave nature, agriculture, the Subak irrigation culture, local cuisine, and community life into a travel experience.

Bali’s tourism authorities see Sudaji as a model for community-based tourism development, hoping to let visitors not only enjoy the scenery but also directly engage with local rural life.

For travelers familiar with Ubud, Canggu, and Seminyak, this kind of northern rural tourism could be a fresh direction worth watching.

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🐕 Rabies-Positive Puppy Found in Jembrana; Family Bitten Tests Positive

This is a travel safety alert, especially important for families bringing kids to Bali.

In the Baler Bale Agung area of Jembrana, a puppy that bit a family member has tested positive for rabies.

Local veterinary authorities report that of five recent samples tested, three have been confirmed positive for rabies, with the other two cases occurring in Mendoyo and Melaya.

Authorities are preparing emergency animal rabies vaccinations in the affected areas to reduce the risk of further virus transmission.

For general tourists, there’s no need to panic, but this serves as another reminder:

When you see stray dogs, puppies, or other animals in Bali, do not touch them just because they look cute.

Especially children, avoid feeding or playing with unfamiliar animals. If you are bitten or scratched, immediately clean the wound and seek medical help.

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🌤️ Bali Weather on September 21: Southern region more stable, other areas mostly cloudy

According to BMKG forecasts, Bali’s overall weather on September 21 will be sunny, cloudy, and overcast.

Badung and Denpasar are predicted to have relatively stable weather, with Badung around 25–30°C and Denpasar around 25–32°C; Gianyar around 25–31°C, Karangasem also around 25–31°C. Buleleng will be around 25–30°C.

This kind of weather doesn’t affect general tourism much, but the differences between regions in Bali are still quite noticeable.

If you’re planning Ubud, the northern highlands, or waterfall itineraries, don’t just rely on the weather forecast for Kuta or Denpasar; cloud cover and rainfall in the mountains can be completely different.

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🏃 Bali Is Embracing ‘Sport Tourism’ as a New Direction

Another noteworthy tourism trend today is that sports tourism is playing an increasingly important role in Bali’s local tourism development.

The event in Sudaji is a clear example: runners aren’t competing on closed city roads but instead traverse rice paddies, villages, and communities, turning the sport itself into a way to explore local culture.

Local tourism authorities also emphasize that they hope such events can simultaneously boost the local economy, UMKM, small-scale dining, agricultural products, and community-based tourism.

This is definitely worth watching for Bali’s future tourism offerings.

In the past, when people thought of sports tourism in Bali, they might have thought of surfing, diving, or yoga. Now, activities like trail running through rice paddies, cycling through villages, and hiking combined with agricultural culture are emerging as more grounded, local-life-oriented experiences.