On the sidelines of the 2018 Indonesia Tourism Attraction Expo and Forum (ITAEF), held in Kuta last week, House of Representatives Commission X Member, I Putu Supadma Rudana, told local news wires that the future of tourism will change for the better.

He suggested Bali could lead the way and be a prime example of tourism development based on being a Tri Hita Karana - Green Sustainable Tourism Destination.

Tri Hita Karana

Translated, Tri Hita Karana means three reasons for prosperity and well-being: 1) harmony among people, 2) harmony with nature/the environment and 3) harmony with god. It is a philosophy and tradition with significant meaning in Bali, where the concept of balance can be seen in the island's daily ceremonies and traditions.

Rudana said following this model would mean tourism development could transform natural exploitation into green tourism and destructive development into sustainable development.  Together with the rise of the creative economy, tourism could increase foreign exchange by not damaging the environment as oil, gas and coal have done, he explained.

Sustainable Future

This is a major step forward for Bali's eco warriors who have been calling for better checks and balances in the islands tourism and property industries.

The 'Tourism 2020' initiative emphasizes quality over quantity at a time the country has set its target for 20 million foreign arrivals by the end of 2019. "The key is not to just pursue quantity and reduce prices. We must improve the quality and importantly tourists will spend more spend," Rudana said, citing a growing global trend for sustainable tourism and Bali's award winning destination status. 

Quality Wars

Instead of the traditional 'price wars', which aim to increase arrivals through cheaper holiday packages, Rudana suggested a 'quality war' that would provide provide big benefits not only for tourists but also for local stakeholders.

Justin Dallas from The Dallas Group finds this encouraging. "Bali can set the example for a more sustainable future. In many ways it should as the country's leading tourism destination. Quality Wars not Price Wars would be a game changer for NTT and Indonesia's eastern islands, which are attracting investors with a much clearer vision for environmental integrity and community development than ever before."

Rudana hopes that members of the Indonesian Recreation Park Business Association (PUTRI) can empower their respective attractions with the spirit of Tourism 2020 and build a model

Sources: Bali Bisnis, Baliekbis, Gapura Bali

Similar to this:

Hundreds of millions of US dollars for tourism at the Indonesia Investment Forum

Our Ocean Conference: Another high level event sets Bali as a leading MICE destination

Tri Hita Karana Roadmap: Blended Finance for Better Business