To begin the expose on the topic above, I Would like to ask the attention of all Bali community to look back at a glance the history of Bali tourism development.
Bali as Island of the Gods along with its cultural uniqueness and beauty of nature has drawn the attention of the world since the Dutch colonialism (VOC – Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) hundreds of years ago. Out of some thousands of islands existing on this archipelago, Bali Island was selected by VOC to be determined as tourist region at that time. By administration of VOC, Bali Island was determined as cultural reserve that should be protected from the influence of foreign or external culture. More extremely, any religious could be disseminated throughout the territory of Dutch colonialism, except for Bali. Since then, this unique island kept on visiting by higher officials of Dutch and visitors from Europe to enjoy the allurement and typically of the island. Regardless of the dislike to colonialism, but one thing needs nothing here and we should express our gratitude that VOC had a clear and future-oriented vision about Bali tourism. For that purpose, they have established a very sturdy foundation for Bali tourism development based on local culture.
In the independence period, central government and Bali regional government gave speciall attention for the development of tourism in Bali Island based on culture. I still remember clearly about the statement of the late Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra, former governor of Bali, in his speech on a Tourism Management course/seminar that I attended in Nusa Dua in 1981. He stated firmly that the development of Bali tourism was based on the unique and typical Balinese culture. As an intellectual and humanist, he had future-oriented perspective and vision. In my mind, such opinion is very appropriate and based on the reason that at other region across this archipelago or all over the world we can enjoy the beauty of seascape, beach, mountain, valley, river, lake, waterfall, marine park and so forth as we can encounter on Bali Island. However, we will never see and enjoy the uniqueness of Balinese culture in other region as we can see on Bali Island. It is the basic and spirit of Bali tourism development that should be upheld, conserved and developed persistently.
However, it is undeniable that the development of cultural-oriented Bali tourism has turned vague today. The unique and typically Balinese culture becoming the foundation and spirit of Bali tourism development sets to loose. Other than low awareness of the community, the main obstacle is the economic factor where people compete to enrich themselves with any manner without paying attention to cultural and customary norms. For example, everywhere people build hotel, villa, and house shop uncontrollably in various external architectural styles without appreciating Balinese architecture filled with the artistic and cultural values. If we have a promenade around Kuta Legian, Seminyak and its surroundings, we will find several buildings and house shops designed in European styles, as if we were in Europe. On that account, it is not mistaken if a Dutch tourist expressed his disappointment when seeing the current condition of Bali. Even, the tourist said that it was no use for him to visit Bali because he saw Europe in Bali.
The question is that whether the development of Bali tourism is just like a peanut forgetting its shell. Typicality and uniqueness of Balinese culture that have ground and made the Bali tourism development fragrant in particular and Bali’s development is general commences to be forgotten. For that reason, I invite all components of the community, either government as regulator, abli community and migrants in particular living and earning livelihood in Bali (from various background in terms of race, faith and custom) to preserve and maintain together the values of Balinese culture in morale manner and materially as the foundation and spirit of Bali tourism development. Please have confidence, without the presence of Balinese culture as its spirit the tourism development would be useless and it will have a great impact on any business run in Bali. Our affirmation, awareness, tolerance and appreciation to conservation of Balinese culture would become a potential asset for the sustainability of Bali tourism in years to come. What have been initiated and struggle by VOC, local figures as well as the intellectuals of Bali Island should be resumed by young generation having glorious culture. Indeed, it is very ironical when VOC as colonial had vision and high concern to maintain and preserve Balinese culture. Meanwhile, we as the owner and inheritor of this country do not have such vision and concern. Hopefully, we would not become a stumbling stone of Bali tourism development like a peanut forgetting its shell. Respect the local custom where you are! (Stefan Fenanlampir – Balinese Cultural and THK Observer)
News by International Bali Post
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