It is no wonder, to anyone who knows Bali, why it is a top tourist destination. People who are thinking about having a vacation or holiday will always find Bali at the top of their options. However, it is also important to think and review if this influx of tourists has any adverse effect on the island.
Le Monde, a leading French-language newspaper, has written an article examining how Bali is being destroyed by mass tourism, written by Bruno Philip.
“Bali is not what it used to be” is the statement that Bruno Philip said to both residents and expats in Bali during the course of his writing the article.
It is understood that changes will have to occur considering the progress and modernity the island is going through. However, the greatest threat comes from mass tourism which used to only be cultural tourism.
So what are the causes of this destruction? The author sees the following points. There is the usurpation of agricultural lands and turning them into roads, the emergence of a number of added hotels and luxury villas in Bali, garbage piling up, as well as traffic jams. Indeed, Bali is no longer what it used to be.
Though the governor has already introduced a moratorium to put a hold to investments and projects like the construction of additional private villas in Bali and Bali villas resort, the regional officials have simply ignored this and opposed it.
As for the people, especially the young Balinese, they have already started distancing themselves from the usual and traditional agricultural work and rituals and religious activities. They are in desperate competition for earning dollars, yens, and euros.
“Traditionally, people lived in fear of the gods. Because the Balinese were aware of nature’s forces, rites enabled them to maintain the balance between man and divinity. Now, even though the rites are still respected, an increasing number of people are focused on material possessions. The authorities’ policies are causing a loss of collective wisdom, a blurring of reference points and cultural uprooting,” says a Brahman who lives nearby Ubud.
Le Monde, a leading French-language newspaper, has written an article examining how Bali is being destroyed by mass tourism, written by Bruno Philip.
“Bali is not what it used to be” is the statement that Bruno Philip said to both residents and expats in Bali during the course of his writing the article.
It is understood that changes will have to occur considering the progress and modernity the island is going through. However, the greatest threat comes from mass tourism which used to only be cultural tourism.
So what are the causes of this destruction? The author sees the following points. There is the usurpation of agricultural lands and turning them into roads, the emergence of a number of added hotels and luxury villas in Bali, garbage piling up, as well as traffic jams. Indeed, Bali is no longer what it used to be.
Though the governor has already introduced a moratorium to put a hold to investments and projects like the construction of additional private villas in Bali and Bali villas resort, the regional officials have simply ignored this and opposed it.
As for the people, especially the young Balinese, they have already started distancing themselves from the usual and traditional agricultural work and rituals and religious activities. They are in desperate competition for earning dollars, yens, and euros.
“Traditionally, people lived in fear of the gods. Because the Balinese were aware of nature’s forces, rites enabled them to maintain the balance between man and divinity. Now, even though the rites are still respected, an increasing number of people are focused on material possessions. The authorities’ policies are causing a loss of collective wisdom, a blurring of reference points and cultural uprooting,” says a Brahman who lives nearby Ubud.
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