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Bali tourism expiring: Experts
Andra Wisnu , The Jakarta Post , Denpasar | Mon, 02/02/2009 4:06 PM | Bali
Experts continue to claim that Bali's tourism industry is on the decline and that the island may become marginalized when the ASEAN charter takes effect in 2015 and makes travel to other regional tourist attractions more affordable for Indonesians.
Daradjatun Kuntjoro Jakti, former coordinating minister for the economy, said Friday that Bali's tourism industry had reached a saturation point that could endanger public livelihood if the administration did not act.
His data shows that Bali's income from foreign tourist has continually dropped to $4.44 billion in 2006 from US$5.74 billion in 2000, despite the rapid development of tourism-related infrastructure projects within the six-year period.
He further cited a continual reduction in foreign tourist's length of stay, from 12.26 days per visit in 2000 to 9.05 days per visit in 2005.
Foreign tourist expenditure per visit also reveals a downturn to $904 in 2005 from $1,135.18 in 2000.
"In other words, looking at the Bali tourism industry is like a person running really fast yet doesn't get anywhere, which looks like he's having a really bad dream," he said.
He cited as reasons for the downturn, a deteriorating environment, deceitful taxi drivers and currency exchangers, an increasing prominence of Western-style buildings and diminishing Balinese culture in Bali.
He said Bali's tourism industry would not survive if nothing was done to address the problems given increasing competition from other ASEAN countries.
"Especially considering that ASEAN will sign the ASEAN charter in 2015, effectively making travel between ASEAN countries cheaper," he said.
"At this rate, Bali will become a tourism destination of yesterday and not of tomorrow. It may not even last 10 years."
His prediction was somewhat in line with a previous statement by Dr. Nyoman Erawan, a noted Balinese economist, who said that Bali's tourism industry could no longer contribute significantly to the island's economic growth.
Erawan urged the island's administration to allocate a greater portion of the budget to other economic sectors, such as agriculture.
Daradjatun, on the other hand, said Bali's tourism industry could still take off if the administration focused its efforts on revitalizing Balinese cultural-based tourism and organizing larger meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition related-activities.
Dr. I Wayan Ardika, an archeology professor at Udayana University, agreed with Daradjatun that a revitalization of Balinese culture could boost tourism.
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David C (not verified) — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 5:44pm
The challenge for tourism in Bali has been made much worse by the incredible decision of the government in Jakarta to levy 300% tax on imported foods and alcohol. Already the word is getting out that enjoying a good meal and drinks on Bali has gotten both expensive and even hard to come by. I have spoken to restaurant owners and hotel managers who say although their business (number of visitors) is holding, the average check amount has greatly declined as people are not willing to pay the high prices for a glass of wine or a cocktail. The first thing Bali should do to help tourism is to gain independence from the Jakarta tax authorities on the issue of alcohol. In the US each state regulates taxes and regulation of alcohol. A few states are "dry" meaning no alcohol. If there are provinces in Indonesia that wish to be "dry" they could decide this and leave places such as Bali to make their own rules and taxes. How would Indonesia like it if the European Union, Australia, and the US added 300% additional taxes on imports from Indonesia?
Muli (not verified) — Mon, 02/02/2009 - 11:13pm
Bali tourism expiring? Not surprising given the lack of attention to the environment, the decline of Balinese culture, pollution, traffic, police corruption and harrasment amongst other problems.