Bali News

Bali needs to me more selective in managing growth of its tourism industry in increasing competition of global tourism market. Paradigm to accept any investments intention without sufficiently assessing their potential negative impacts has to be swept away, otherwise degradation of cultural tourism will surely strengthen in Bali, Wayan Mertha, a lecturer of Bali Tourism College (STP) Nusa Dua, said on Wednesday (May 28th).

He further reminded that a number of experts have warned the potential destruction of Bali tourism, and therefore  Bali tourism community has to retract themselves back into the commitment to protect the holiness of Balinese culture. “Pragmatic approach is not the right approach for Bali development. Opinion expressed by a foreign tourist in an interview  by Bali Post, advising his wish that Bali can protect its culture and identity, should be taken as a strong evidence that tourists are attracted to come to Bali for its culture and people instead of its investment breakthroughs”, he said.

Bali has to stop its greediness in  incoming investments. “Bali has to have clear concept in managing its tourism industry and target only qualified visitors instead of becoming a cheap destination because of overcrowded offerings”, he further advised. Bali is not going to get any meaningful yields in tourism market competition if agriculture as the breath of Bali culture is swept aside, therefore protecting Bali agriculture is a significant challenge.

“Leaders have to stop serving as agent for investments which accelerate degradation of culture and tradition or create behavioral friction in Balinese community. Bali should never left agriculture if it wants to inherit its culture and tradition to the next generation. Investment growth means nothing of Balinese people are getting swept aside even further as more and more access to economic resources are handed over”, he said.

As  open investment tap set a condition where people were motivated to sell their land, currently most strategic land plots in Bali are no longer belong to Balinese. Ownership of these strategic plots with access to economic potential are now dominated by foreigners, leaving Balinese living in poverty as the money they got by selling their land was completely spent in consumption spending.

Meanwhile Prof. Dr. I.B. Gunandha reminded the importance to stick to Balinese wisdom of Tri Mandala which promotes proper balance between sacred and profane sides of human life. Both sides have to strengthen each other to achieve success in each and every conducted activities. “With this concept Bali should be able to wisely respond to investment intentions to prevent potential frictions with cultural and religious aspects”, he concluded.

Those who understand about the holiness of temples including the surrounding area within certain distance but violate them for various reasons are greedy. Hindu teaches that greediness is a bad karma without any good and right values at all.