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useums in Bali are expected to attract more domestic and foreign tourists following renovations and the “Visit Museum” program being campaigned by the government.

Bali Tourism Agency head Ida Bagus Kadek Subhiksu said his agency carried out promotions nationally and abroad to target more tourists interested in learning about the island’s history and cultural uniqueness.

Of 2.5 million foreign tourists and 4.8 million domestic tourists who visited Bali last year, only a few visited museums, he said, adding that Bali’s museums had the potential to attract visitors.

“Beside domestic tourists, there are five potential groups of foreign tourists that we have observed based on museum visitor data: Japan, Korea, Taiwan, France and the Netherlands,” he said.

Most foreign tourists came from Australia, but tourists from that country were not interested in visiting museums in Bali, he added.

No museum has had more than 100,000 visitors per year since 1997.

Some museums with a large number of visiting tourists are Kerthagosa and Gunarsa in Klungkung, Bajrasandhi in Denpasar, and Neka in Ubud, he said.

“We regularly hold promotional activities, and participate in tourism events and sales missions abroad. We also facilitate family trips and list museums in tourism brochures and publications.

“Bali is committed to improve its museums as cultural tourism attractions. Thanks to the central government for helping us in the renovation and the “Visit Museum” program,” he added.

The central government began a five-year national program called “Love Museums” last year in an effort to revitalize the image of museums not only as places to keep historical objects but to provide education and entertainment.

It will also renovate 80 of 275 museums nationwide, including in Bali, said Intan Mardiana, head of the museum division at the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

“We are renovating 35 museums this year, as well as improving collections and overall management,” she said. The renovation will cost about Rp 134 million.

 Among museums in Bali slated for renovation next year is Subak Museum in Tabanan regency.