Marine tourism seeing significant gains

Bali is enjoying robust growth in marine tourism, with a growing number of companies operating in this business, and increasing numbers of water sports lovers coming to the island’s favorite marine sports sites.

Lately, Bali has been the busiest place in the Southeast Asia region in terms of marine tourism activity, Indonesian Marine Tourism Association chairman Yos WK Merta said at the association’s annual meeting here in Sanur.

“Bali has tremendous water and marine sports potential, including in diving, snorkeling, rafting, surfing and other sports activities,” Merta said.

Eighteen years ago, there were only 20 companies operating marine and water sports businesses. “In 2010, we have 187 companies registered with the association,” he said.

Bali Tourism Agency chief IB Ngurah Wijaya said water sports were one of the favorite tourism activities on the island. “Beaches always have always served as attractive places to go after cultural and traditional performances and rituals.”

Wijaya said marine and water sports operators had increased their professionalism in handling visitors. “Security, good management and service systems are keys to successful businesses. Access to insurance could be a plus point to draw in more water sports lovers to the island,” Wijaya added.

He also called on the local government to improve facilities and infrastructure in potential areas. Conserving and preserving underwater conditions are also important to maintain ecological balance.

Bali Tourism Agency chief IB Kade Subhiksu said the provincial administration had introduced various programs to revitalize water sports areas, and to preserve environmental conditions.

Subhiksu also said operators needed to help protect beaches and marine areas. “A lot of water sports can endanger our marine wildlife,” he said.

Association deputy chairman Ismail said Bali and Eastern parts Indonesia possessed unexplored marine treasures.