Our Vision is to Become the Go-To Platform for Anyone Interested in Bali, Southeast Asia, and Sustainable Travel: Joannes Rhino, CEO of BALI NEWS

BALI NEWS is a vibrant publication that offers an insider’s view of Bali and its neighbouring islands. It shines a light on local life, community initiatives, and sustainable travel, providing perspectives that go beyond conventional guidebooks. Designed for long-stay visitors, creative professionals, and curious explorers alike, the publication offers key know-how, engaging narratives, and a glimpse into the island’s entrepreneurial and cultural scene. By drawing on the experiences of locals and experts, BALI NEWS paints a vivid picture of Bali’s spirit, traditions, and everyday life, making it an essential companion for anyone seeking an authentic connection to the island.

SME BUSINESS REVIEW spoke with Joannes Rhino, CEO of BALI NEWS and TRAVEL TREASURES ASIA, to explore how the publication serves travellers, expatriates, and Bali’s business community, and to hear his vision for their future. This is what Mr. Rhino had to say.

Interview Excerpts

What inspired you to create BALI NEWS, and what gap in the media landscape were you aiming to fill?

Bali has long been one of the world’s leading destinations, yet much of the information available focuses on the familiar topics. This gap in coverage led to the creation of BALI NEWS, a publication designed to reflect the island’s true character.

Unlike general travel outlets, BALI NEWS highlights local stories, sustainable tourism, and community issues, offering readers insights rarely captured elsewhere. It has become a hub for those who want to engage more deeply with the island and understand its dynamic identity.

By drawing on local voices and perspectives, BALI NEWS presents a more authentic view of Bali, one that goes beyond beaches and temples to celebrate its culture, traditions, and community spirit.

Long-stay travellers are one of your main audiences. What kind of content resonates most with them, and how do you keep it fresh and relevant?

Long-stay travellers represent a core segment of our readership, who tend to seek content that feels useful and relevant. They want advice on finding a good place to live, recommendations for reliable dining spots, and tips for getting around the island without the usual snags. Just as important, they are eager to hear the stories of fellow expatriates and stay informed about social and cultural developments within the local community.

To remain current, BALI NEWS engages directly with its readers to track their interests and priorities. The publication features contributions from locals and expatriates who provide firsthand insight, while also covering events and issues that shape everyday life on the island. Through collaborations with seasoned travel writers, photographers, and subject specialists, it delivers readers informed perspectives and a deeper understanding of what makes Bali worth experiencing.

Bali attracts not just tourists, but also entrepreneurs and digital nomads. How does BALI NEWS cater to this growing business and professional community?

Bali has a thriving community of entrepreneurs and digital nomads, and BALI NEWS is dedicated to serving their interests. The publication covers startups, coworking spaces, and innovation across the island, alongside events, conferences, and workshops that matter to this audience.

Through success stories, insights from local entrepreneurs, and expert guidance, readers gain a clear sense of the pulse of Bali’s business community. By highlighting emerging ventures and sustainable initiatives, BALI NEWS helps this growing community make the most of their time and opportunities on the island. Whether a seasoned business owner or just starting out, the publication aims to be the definitive source for all things business in Bali.

BALI NEWS features both inspiring travel stories and important local news. How do you maintain the right balance between entertainment and information?

For us, it’s all about finding the right mix of inspiring travel stories and important local news. We want our readers to be entertained and informed, so we try to balance our content to include:

1) Travel stories that showcase the very best of Bali

2) Local news that keeps readers connected to the island

3) Authentic perspectives from the community to give our coverage a genuine local voice

Our goal is to create a reading experience that brings Bali’s culture, tourism, and community to life. By weaving engaging stories with real insight, BALI NEWS aims to be the go-to source for everything happening on the island.

Beyond Bali, you cover neighbouring islands. Which destinations or stories do you feel remain underexplored and deserve more attention from travellers?

We have a soft spot for the Gili Islands, a stunning destination just off the coast of Lombok. The diving is exceptional, the beaches are pristine, and the atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed. We enjoy featuring stories about these islands because they deserve more attention from travellers.

Lombok itself is equally compelling. It offers a similar charm to Bali but without the crowds and fuss. The scenery is breathtaking, with Mount Rinjani dominating the landscape, and the locals are famously welcoming.

Then there’s Sumba, a true hidden gem, with dramatic coastlines, sweeping savannas, and traditional villages that showcase the island’s rich culture and history, including its ancient megaliths.

These destinations are well worth exploring for travellers seeking an authentic experience beyond the usual tourist trail. For those looking to go off the beaten track, the Gili Islands, Lombok, and Sumba offer unforgettable experiences.

Representing both visitors and locals can be challenging. How does BALI NEWS ensure it reflects diverse perspectives without compromising engagement?

At BALI NEWS, we aim to offer a perspective that reflects both visitors and locals, while keeping our content engaging and relevant.

We explore Bali’s diverse communities and viewpoints, covering local culture, visitor experiences, and issues that shape life on the island. To provide a well-rounded view, we speak with a broad range of people, from expats and locals to tourists and business owners.

Our stories remain fresh and compelling, delivered through articles, videos, and photography that showcase the best of Bali. We tackle challenging topics thoughtfully and respectfully, offering insight without sensationalism.

Through this commitment, BALI NEWS has become a must-read for anyone interested in Bali, whether visiting or living on the island. We are proud of what we have built and remain dedicated to showcasing the island’s rich and diverse perspectives.

What is your vision for BALI NEWS? Do you see it continuing as a regional platform, or expanding into a broader travel and lifestyle publication?

We are excited about the direction BALI NEWS is heading. Our vision is to become the go-to platform for anyone interested in Bali, Southeast Asia, and sustainable travel. While maintaining our focus on the region, we also aim to broaden our coverage to include lifestyle and travel topics that resonate with our audience. In fact, I am developing a lifestyle and travel print magazine, TRAVEL TREASURES ASIA, which explores the wider region and shares stories that highlight the very best of Asia.

As BALI NEWS continues to grow, we may explore new formats, such as video content and podcasts, and collaborate with other publications and influencers to reach a wider audience. Above all, our priority remains staying true to our values and delivering high-quality content that inspires and informs our readers.

JOANNES RHINO | CEO OF BALI NEWS AND TRAVEL TREASURES ASIA

As the CEO of BALI NEWS and TRAVEL TREASURES ASIA, Joannes Rhino has a front-row view of the sweeping changes unfolding in media and travel, influenced by new technologies and shifting audience habits. Beyond his role as CEO, he is a celebrated Indonesian author, known for his gripping novels in the psychological fiction and suspense genres. With eight published books to his name, he has earned recognition both locally and internationally. Some of his notable works include:

The Unseen Face: An Amazon 2019 Best Seller in Psychological-Suspense fiction that catapulted him to international recognition.

Dream: A psychological mystery novel that earned him accolades as one of the best young writers at the Khatulistiwa Literary Award in 2009.

As BALI NEWS continues to grow, we may explore new formats, such as video content and podcasts, and collaborate with other publications and influencers to reach a wider audience.

In fact, I am developing a lifestyle and travel print magazine, TRAVEL TREASURES ASIA, which explores the wider region and shares stories that highlight the very best of Asia.