The Tourism Industry In Bali Needs To Be Accompanied By A Balance Of Nature And Culture Conservation

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI) assesses that the current increase in the tourism industry in Bali needs to be accompanied in maintaining a balance of nature and culture.

Head of GBCI Putu Agung Prianta said the Bali tourism industry has now recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the number of tourists increasing again.

Based on data from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf), in the January-July 2024 period, as many as 9,904,508 tourists visited Bali, this figure exceeded pre-pandemic figures in the same period in 2019.

"Although this increase in the number of tourists is good news, it presents its own challenges. The Emergence of the Bali tourism industry faces great challenges in maintaining a balance between development and cultural preservation," Agung said in his statement in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Friday, August 9.

Currently, he continued, Bali is considered to be in a phase of facing the threat of uncontrolled development to support the excessive tourism industry, which often ignores cultural and environmental aspects.

Starting from the conversion of agricultural land functions for development, high congestion rates, and waste issues that add to the complexity of this problem.

Quoting data from the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), he added that during 2020 to 2023, the average domestic and foreign investment in Bali increased by 18 percent and 26 percent, respectively.

Therefore, according to the founder of Jimbaran Hijau, it is important for Bali to start compiling blueprints regarding the development of Bali in the future and its relation to the Bali tourism industry.

The goal is to create Bali into a better place, create destinations and combine them with culture, sustainability, innovation, and creativity.

"If it is not handled properly from an early age, it can lead to broader cultural erosion," he said.

The sustainability of Balinese culture, he continued, is very important to be maintained in line with rapid developments. Modernization and globalization are feared to bring about changes that will erode local values.

For this reason, it is important for all Bali stakeholders to carry out good planning that adopts the concept of green initiative and sustainable development that focuses on layout and the environment.

"So Bali's future depends on tourism actors, investors, and others how to form Bali," he said at the 2024 Tourism, Hotel Investment & Networking Conference (THINC) event in Nusa Dua Bali.

According to him, there are three important points that need to be maintained in the development of Bali, namely preserving Bali's identity by defending Bali's character through building designs that reflect local culture.

Then, respecting culture and customs by maintaining traditions in every aspect of life, as well as supporting the local economy by involving communities in every development project.

According to Agung, the three points have also been applied, the main focus of which is sustainability starting by involving local communities in farming and reforestation.

In addition, the initiation is also for solar panels and charging electric vehicle batteries, the use of plastic as raw material for asphalt.

According to Agung, Bali has great potential for a bright future if development is carried out wisely. The preservation of culture, empowerment of local communities, and the application of green initiatives are the keys to maintaining the beauty and wealth of this island.

"So Bali is not anti-tourism at all. Instead, we have to change the pattern of tourism in order to attract quality tourists. With concrete steps, we can contribute to Bali's sustainable future," he said.