TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno responded to the Bali regional government’s ban on all tourist activities on the island’s 22 mountains, including hiking, in order to maintain customs and quality tourism.

According to Sandiaga, the policy will still be discussed with Bali Governor Wayan Koster. He acknowledged concerns among tourism and creative economy players. “Let's discard prejudice, let's wait to see how the policy will be adopted,” he said at the weekly press briefing, on Monday, June 12, 2023.

He shares optimism that the quality of the tourism business such as accommodation and other facilities will increase as the number of foreign tourists visiting the Island of Gods remains high. “With some of the promotions we have made, foreign tourists [visiting Bali] now reach above 15,000 per day.”

Sandiaga Uno also said that the ministry along with the provincial government will continue to promote high-quality tourism.

On the same occasion, Bali Tourism Agency Head Tjok Bagus Pemayun said the status of at least 186 mountain tour guides in the region will be transformed into contract workers in a bid to ensure their livelihood if the hiking policy is enforced. “We won’t stop their jobs but provide solutions,” Pemayun said.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster initiated the ban on tourist activities in the mountains through the issuance of Circular Letter No. 4 of 2023 concerning the New Order for International Tourists in Bali. The policy is issued following rampant cases of foreign tourists’ inappropriate behavior in sacred highlands.

AMY HEPPY

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