The Indonesian Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, has been vocal about his commitment to promoting lesser-visited regions of Bali to tourists.
As part of a mission to avoid overtourism in the south, combat a homogenized public image of the diverse island province, and crack down on low-quality tourism development, Minister Uno is looking to West Bali as a region with heaps of potential.
Community leaders, business developers, and tourism stakeholders in Jembrana Regency have been speaking to the media about new initiatives to help bring more international tourists to the area.
Jembrana Regency spans much of the southwest of Bali and is best known for travel destinations like Gilimanuk, which is the gateway to West Bali National Park.
Despite being one of the largest regencies in Bali, Jembrana sees markedly fewer tourists and investment in tourism than Badung Regency in the south, which is home to resorts like Canggu, Uluwatu, and Seminyak.
All that is about to change, leaders have spoken to the press about the need for advancements in all areas of tourism and hospitality in the region and are willing to do all it takes to make it happen.
A new chapter for tourism in the region calls for new ideas, but everyone agrees that these ideas must align with Bali’s overall mission to promote high-quality, culturally respectful, and sustainable tourism across the province.
The Jembrana Regency Government wants to find new ways to promote the region’s unique culture and natural heritage. One idea on the table is to promote the Makepung buffalo racing culture with equestrian polo to offer tourists more sports and cultural events.
The Regent of Jembrana, Nengah Tamba, spoke to reporters at the opening of the Makepung Jembrana Cup Competition at the All In One Circuit in Negara.
He explained, “There will be an equestrian polo field in the Gilimanuk area. I will communicate with investors so that Makepung can be included in the sport.”
He noted that Makepung buffalo racing only exists in the Jembrana Regency, whereas equestrian polo has a cultural history that is far more modern and far more international.
Combining these two events together, Regent Tamba feels, will create an opportunity to create a collaboration between traditional and modern culture. He added, “Equestrian polo participants come from various countries. This is an effective moment to introduce Jembrana culture.”
Regent Tamba confirmed that he would meet with the incoming president, Prabowo Subianto, to hold him accountable for his election campaign promise of bringing both polo and Makepung together in Jembrana.
While there is a clear incentive to attract more tourism to the area, Regent Tamba’s vision to combine polo and Makepung buffalo racing is also a bid to help protect Jembrana’s green landscapes.
There are plans to make the All In One Circuit field, which also doubles as rice paddies throughout the seasons, and the surrounding area into a residential zone.
Regent Tamba revealed “what is clear is that if this becomes a residential area, the residents will defiantly ask for these roads to be asphalted. Once it is asphalted, it can no longer reused for the Makepung circuit.”
He added, “Makepung is a tradition and culture typical of Jembrana Regency. We must preserve its existence, including by providing a permanent circuit. Equestrian polo fans are usually from the upper middle class. If Makepung, which is a farmer’s culture, could take part in the production, that would be great.”
Makepung racing sees farmers race two buffalos in chariot style; the origins of the practice come from farmers celebrating a successful harvest and is one of the biggest events in the Bali cultural calendar.
While many back Regent Tamba for his work to preserve Makepung culture by finding innovative ways to connect traditional and modern culture together, many tourism operators will be divided about the move.
As more travel and tour operators move towards promoting tourism activities that involve high welfare or natural encounters with animals, whether wild or domestic, the new initiative in Jembrana may need to give assurances to tourists that the activities do not exploit or harm the animals involved.
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Shorty
Monday 19th of August 2024
Throwing rice at a lumbung in the hope some may make it inside.
Uno. Shots at goal: ++++++. Hits: 0000000000
Shorty
Saturday 17th of August 2024
A practical polo thing.
Even if it only involves locals - the only Javanese club - you'd need 4 teams to make it a worthwhile competition.
That would require 60 polo ponies and the attendant grooms.
There'd have to be humungous prize money, crowd and entry fees to transport the teams, stable and fodder them.
It's a kuda kotoran idea,
Shorty
Saturday 17th of August 2024
Has Uno considered the kick back from the animal welfare groups could potentially reduce, not increase tourist numbers?