Indonesia’s holiday hotspot of Bali has issued a fresh reminder for travellers to navigate the island’s cultural landscape with “confidence and grace”, as officials step up a campaign against misbehaving guests.
The tourism-reliant tropical destination’s beaches and lush rice fields attract millions of foreigners annually, but a rise in rule-breakers prompted the local government to deport dozens of people last year over incidents including indecent exposure and disrespecting local customs.
To keep rowdy behaviour at bay and turn trips into “unforgettable experiences”, the tourism board has called on visitors to honour the predominantly Hindu island’s culture by “dressing appropriately”, especially in sacred places, by covering the shoulders and below the knees.
Foreign tourists relax on Bali’s Kuta Beach. Some visitors welcomed the recent etiquette reminder. Photo: AFP
The latest advisory also reminded tourists not to disturb any processions at religious places or enter them with an open wound.
It advised revellers to avoid defiling sacred sites, climbing holy trees and engaging in illegal business activities.
Following the list of dos and don’ts would keep Bali “beautiful for generations to come”, the agency said, and equip tourists “with the knowledge you need to navigate Bali’s unique cultural landscape with confidence and grace”.
Balinese Hindus, who make up nearly 90 per cent of the island’s population, revere its mountains as the dwelling places of gods and ancestors.
The rise in disrespectful incidents forced the local administration to issue its guidelines for tourists last year and launch law enforcement operations aimed at reducing foreigners’ misconduct.
But those efforts apparently failed to deter some travellers.
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Bali issues tourism dos and don’ts list in wake of scandals involving unruly visitors
Bali issues tourism dos and don’ts list in wake of scandals involving unruly visitors
Last weekend, a visitor reportedly hurled expletives at a tour guide and was engaged in a physical altercation after being reprimanded for jumping the queue at a popular beach viewpoint.
Social media users have welcomed the recent etiquette reminder, but also aired a litany of grievances that included plastic-strewn beaches, women tourists being catcalled, taxis that overcharge and a lack of pedestrian crossings and footpaths.
“I know every place has problems and Bali is not a paradise, but I also know there are still so many amazing people, and they make Bali better,” wrote one Instagram user.
A tourist sits amid debris and rubbish washed ashore at Bali’s Kuta Beach. Photo: AFP
Said another: “People use garbage bins, but it seems that nobody ever empties them. Beaches and rivers are full of plastic, it makes us sad that this beautiful country is trashed like this.”
According to the Bali immigration office, 1.3 million international holidaymakers visited the island in the first quarter of this year.
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