Bali’s tourism lesson: Grow without destroying what attracts visitors

Bali, an Indonesian island, has long been famous for its pristine beaches, rice terraces, temples, and sunsets. The source material highlights a key factor behind Bali's enduring appeal: Tri Hita Karana, a Balinese philosophy that emphasizes harmony among people, nature, and the divine. The tourism authorities believe that this philosophy goes beyond being a mere cultural slogan and plays a significant role in shaping Bali's approach to tourism.

According to I Wayan Sumarajaya, Director of the Bali Government Tourism Office, Tri Hita Karana consists of three main relationships: harmony with God, harmony among people, and harmony with the natural environment. This philosophy is reflected in Bali's tourism policies, which prioritize protecting nature, preserving culture, and supporting the local population.

The tourism industry is a major driver of Bali's economy, with approximately 66% of the island's economy relying on tourism. This dependence presents a challenge familiar to many African countries: how to generate economic value from tourism while preserving the culture, communities, and landscapes that attract visitors. Kandi Putra, an official at the Bali chapter of the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies and co-founder of PT Bali Sundaram Travel, emphasizes that Bali's tourism is primarily cultural and agrarian.

Visitors have the opportunity to observe farmers working in the fields, attend temple ceremonies, and experience daily spiritual life, making Bali a unique destination.

Unlike other tourist destinations that view culture as an add-on to a conventional beach holiday, Bali integrates culture into its tourism product. The island's temples, ceremonies, traditional arts, agricultural practices, and spiritual life are all part of the visitor experience, making it distinct from other destinations. Sumarajaya states that the most popular attraction in Bali is its vibrant living culture and traditions, which cannot be found anywhere else.

The success of Bali's tourism strategy can be traced back over a century. The island's global reputation as a cultural tourism destination began to take shape around 1927 when foreign artists and intellectuals, such as German painter Walter Spies and Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, first visited Bali. The royal court in Ubud played a significant role in welcoming these visitors, and over time, Bali's art and cultural traditions spread internationally through the works of those who were inspired by the island.

Next year, Bali will mark 100 years of cultural tourism development, demonstrating the importance of a long-term approach to building a globally recognized tourism brand. By focusing on culture, hospitality, natural landscapes, international exposure, and investment in tourism infrastructure, Bali has successfully created multiple global identities for itself, such as the "Island of the Gods" or the "Island of Paradise," while maintaining a strong association with Balinese culture.

However, Bali's tourism growth has also presented challenges, including increased pressure on land, roads, waste management, water resources, and cultural sites. To address these issues, the island's authorities have implemented zoning rules covering its eight regencies and one city. High-density hotel development is concentrated in designated tourism zones, while other areas are protected for agriculture, cultural preservation, or eco-tourism.

These zoning plans are regularly reviewed and reassessed by parliament every five to 10 years to prevent every attractive piece of land from becoming a hotel or commercial development.