It is fair to say that while Bali has had a largely successful year with tourism so far, the journey has not been without turbulence.
As the island grapples with a rise in bad behavior by a small minority of tourists, leaders are working around the clock to create greater public awareness about how tourists can and should respect the culture on the Island of the Gods during their visit.
Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster has just launched a new cultural promotion campaign in partnership with the London School of Public Relations Institute.
The cultural campaign is called Bali Shanti, meaning Bali Peace. The campaign has been designed to help promote Balinese culture within all aspects of tourism on the island with a focus on peace and harmony.
Governor Koster told reporters at the launch of the campaign that the preservation of Balinese culture, customs, and traditions must be a top priority.
He shared, “This culture must also be respected not only nationally but also by foreign tourists who are in Bali.”
While the vast majority of tourists are respectful of Balinese culture, there has been a rising number of reports of tourists behaving badly over the last six months.
An aspect that isn’t highlighted as often is how many tourists don’t engage in the culture at all. For many people, Bali is considered a resort and party destination; many tourists fly into the island, head straight to their resort, and seldom venture further than the foyer.
While it does little harm in the grand scheme of things, this is something that leaders want to change. Leaders and communities in Bali want to see tourism become a greater medium for cultural awareness, education, and engagement.
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Speaking at the launch event, the CEO of the LSPR Institute, Prita Kemal Gani, shared how the Bali Santi campaign has been designed as a form of national branding.
The campaign will feature a series of foreign representatives who have lived in Bali.
These folks will be positioned as ambassadors to help explain Balinese culture to the communities in their own countries.
They will be tasked with bringing the cultural divide and bringing communities together.
The Bali Santi campaign is just one of a series of measures put in place by the provincial government in Bali to help ensure tourists are aware of the ways they should and shouldn’t behave in Bali.
That being said, leaders and communities are not only wanting to curb the bad behavior of some tourists on the island but actively encourage tourists to engage in learning and exploring Balinese culture for their own benefit.
Bali is one of the most culturally rich islands in the world, and there are a wealth of cultural experiences that are not to be missed during a visit to the island.
One of the most popular cultural attractions in Bali right now is the GWK Cultural Park in the very south of the island.
The GWK Cultural Park is a fantastic starting point for tourists who want to learn about Balinese culture. Visitors can learn about Balinese Hinduism and how the principles of the faith influence every aspect of daily life.
During a visit, guests can watch a magical traditional dance, either the Barong or the Kecak dance.
The highlight of a visit to the GWK Cultural Park is exploring the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue. Standing at an impressive 121m tall, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is the tallest statue in Indonesia.
Guests can also take a guided tour of the museum inside the statue, where they can learn about everything from Balinese music to textiles and the incredible mythologies that are still shared across communities today.
One of the most famous cultural experiences to take part in Bali is a water blessing ceremony and the Tirta Empul Temple just outside of Ubud.
Made famous around the world by the film Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts, taking part in a traditional melukat ceremony is often noted by tourists as the cultural highlight of their vacation.
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Walt Gerode
Thursday 24th of August 2023
The people from Russia don't know how to behave, and they are not going to be taught to be civilized. They don't respect anything or anybody. When you clean this mess up, you won't have to write articles about these things. OK, you can get away with it this year, but next year wait and watch and then wonder where all the tourists have gone.
‘New Russian’ is a negative figure,” according to Andrei Timin, who, like many in the 1990s, quit academia and went into business, becoming a ‘new Russian’ himself. Proud, Ruthless and Arrogant.
Mark
Wednesday 23rd of August 2023
Do a simple Google search for "The London School of Public Relations Institute", it's not quite as international or prestigious as its name would indicate! :)
J West
Wednesday 23rd of August 2023
An individuals peaceful nature is born by culture, not current location. In Thailand this past few months we’ve had a spate of drunken Russian boys throwing their ( mostly) Russian girlfriends off a balcony causing death. You’ll see the arrest photo where the inebriated Russian is smiling and flashing peace signs. In the Russian mind, he is at his best. So Bali, don’t expect to teach peace to the wolves you’ve invited over for dinner.
Rod Wilkinson
Wednesday 23rd of August 2023
A nice idea,but a bit late.You must remember this Shanti idea needs cooperation from the Balinese people making millions from the party scene.This behaviour is encouraged in the name of the mighty rupiah.
Exp
Tuesday 22nd of August 2023
Quote "Many tourists don’t engage in the culture at all. For many people, Bali is considered a resort and party destination; many tourists fly into the island, head straight to their resort, and seldom venture further than the foyer."
Why is that? Roaming around in the south of Bali will just lead to a stressed out holiday exposed to traffic jam, unsafe traffic, dirty beaches, trash, dilapidated buildings, preman, dodgy eateries and clubs, extortionate fees at tourist "attractions". Better just to stay in the resort area and relax.
Day trips inland or better stay inland or Bali east / north is a better alternative for a holiday.