Indonesia: Bali Approves Hotel Construction Moratorium
Indonesia: Bali toApproves Ban Hotel Construction Amid Tourism OverdevelopmentMoratorium
The Facts
Indonesia's government has approved a moratorium on building hotels, villas, and nightclubs on the island of Bali. Government officials said the reasons for the policy include protecting the environment and indigenous culture.Indonesia's government has approved a moratorium on building hotels, villas, and nightclubs on the island of Bali. Government officials said the reasons for the policy include protecting the environment and Indigenous culture.
According to acting Bali Gov. Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, the moratorium, which is to occur in the Sarbagita region, is set for one to two years, but potentially up to 10 years. He added that the main goal is to slow commercial development on rice fields.According to Acting Governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, the moratorium, which is to occur in the Sarbagita region, is set for one to two years, but potentially up to 10 years. He added that the main goal is to slow commercial development on rice fields.
The Spin
Besides the environmental issues, from water allocation to pollution and littering, tourism has led to cultural decay, largely thanks to tourists disrespecting local peoplepopulations and their religious sites. If tourism was cut back, Bali could save its cultural identity while also propping up its economy through marine and agricultural industries. This is not a zero-sum game.
Balinese culture has sustained and even integrated itself with foreign visitors for almost a century. As children continue to learn traditional worship, dress, and art, they also monetize their culture by performing for and selling merchandise to tourists. As long as localslocal populations are able to maintain their historicaltraditional lifestyle aton hometheir own terms, tourism shouldn't be a problem.
