Bali is primarily associated with a paradise consisting of white beaches, romantic sunsets, rice fields and a fascinating culture with lo ts of temples. Every year this image attracts a great number of tourists who are interested in discovering the island and who want to experience Bali’s culture. When tourism in Bali started to develop in the 1970s, it was first a positive effect on the island’s economical situation (increased employment for example); however, the fact that tourism exploded without proper planning within a short period of time leads now to great internal problems. 1 Since the terrorist bombing attacks in October 2002, Bali mo ved more into the limelight and has now not only to combat internal problems, but also external influences on its tourism industry. The aim of this essay is to present an image of the tourist destination “Bali”, an Indonesian island. First, a short count ry profile will be presented to help the reader to get an idea of the island. Chapter three gives a short survey of the tourism development on Bali so that the current state of affairs concerning the actual situation in tourism is clear. The case study then moves on to deal with internal and external problems and their effects on the island. The next chapter reports on strategies that the Bali government pursues in order to struggle with the problems. Finally, chapter six analyses critically the situation leading to a conclusion.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Country Profile
3. Development of tourism
4. Problems and effects
4.1 Internal problems
4.2 External problems
5. Strategies
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Bali as a tourist destination, examining its development from a local retreat to a mass tourism hub. The central research focus lies in analyzing the environmental, social, and economic consequences of this rapid growth, as well as the external challenges—such as terrorist threats—that have significantly impacted the island's tourism-dependent economy.
- Evolution of mass tourism on Bali since the 1970s
- Internal challenges including environmental degradation and cultural commercialization
- External pressures such as terrorist attacks and global health crises
- Government-led recovery strategies and their effectiveness
- SWOT analysis of Bali's tourism sector
Excerpt from the Book
4.1 Internal problems
How the preceding chapter describes, Bali developed from an unknown island to a desirable tourist destination. There are mainly two types of tourists visiting the island: the first wants to relax on holiday enjoying the tropical landscape and the second likes to discover the island by experiencing the foreign culture closely. Today, cultural tourism has transformed into mass tourism. According to the website http://www.american.edu/TED/balitour.htm there has been a commercialization of Balinese culture in such way that it now fits the tourists desires and interests. Consequently, tourism has noticeably influenced cultural traditions: sacred temples are overcrowded by tourists and even religious dances are organised in hotels weekly. Mass tourism also has environmental consequences. On the one hand, there has been a steady loss of virgin nature because of the growing urbanization and tourism development; on the other hand, mass tourism has led to the shortage of water resources and to increasing pollution because of the growing mass of trash. The deterioration of water quality in coastal areas and the destruction of coral reefs are also problematical effects caused by mass tourism. Hotels have been built along the coast and coral reefs have been damaged without paying attention to possible environmental consequences. For example, the disappearance of the reef results in beach erosion. In view of the economical effects the prices that are pushed up by tourism should be mentioned. On the one hand, the price of land increased at the same time as mass tourism developed. On the other hand, the costs of living in general became more expensive; especially in peak season the demand has augmented dramatically. Therefore, some Balinese lost their home as their landlords sold the land due to big profits, others were tempted to sell and some of them felt destitute because they did not have skills to handle such big sums of money. Besides, Bali became susceptible to Aids because of the increase of sex tourists. In the course of time, a National Aids Committee was formed and a plan for Aids prevention is being developed to prevent an Aids epidemic – probably the most tragic effect of mass tourism.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Bali as a primary tourist destination and outlines the transition from positive economic growth to critical internal and external problems.
2. Country Profile: This section provides essential background information on Bali’s geography, tropical climate, demographic composition, and economic reliance on tourism and handicrafts.
3. Development of tourism: This chapter surveys the history of mass tourism in Bali since 1969, analyzing visitor statistics and the infrastructure developments that facilitated rapid expansion.
4. Problems and effects: This chapter identifies the internal environmental and social strains of mass tourism and analyzes the external security threats that have disrupted the island's stability.
5. Strategies: This section examines the recovery programs initiated by national and local governments to mitigate the impacts of tourism crises.
6. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the findings, evaluates the effectiveness of current management strategies, and highlights potential opportunities like sustainable tourism.
Keywords
Bali, Mass Tourism, Tourism Development, Environmental Degradation, Cultural Commercialization, Terrorism, Economic Impact, Tourism Recovery, Sustainability, SWOT Analysis, Infrastructure, Local Economy, Tourism Management, Bali Bombing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
This essay examines the evolution of tourism on the Indonesian island of Bali, focusing on the dichotomy between its growth as a popular destination and the subsequent internal and external problems that have emerged.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The core themes include the history of mass tourism, environmental and socio-cultural impacts, the economic dependency on travel, and the challenges of managing crisis situations like terrorism.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The primary goal is to present a critical analysis of Bali’s current situation, investigating how tourism-related problems have affected the local population and economy, and whether current recovery efforts are sufficient.
Which methodology is applied?
The study utilizes a descriptive case study approach, incorporating statistical data analysis and a SWOT analysis to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing Bali.
What content is covered in the main section?
The main part of the paper details the specific environmental impacts, such as beach erosion and water pollution, as well as the severe economic downturn caused by regional and global security threats.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Mass Tourism, Bali, Environmental Degradation, Economic Dependency, Tourism Recovery, and Sustainability.
How have terrorist attacks influenced Bali's tourism sector?
The 2002 Bali bombings caused a significant decline in visitor numbers and led to economic instability, forcing the tourism industry to navigate security concerns while attempting to recover through governmental support.
Why are the government's recovery strategies currently deemed ineffective?
The research points to a lack of coordination, insufficient synergy between recovery programs, and a lack of experienced planning, which have prevented these initiatives from achieving their intended positive impacts.
- Quote paper
- Jessica Dörr (Author), 2004, Bali. Country Profile and Tourism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/32233
