Bali tourism expiring, claims economic guru

There is an odd story in the Jakarta Post this week.

The newspaper quotes so-called “experts” who “continue to claim that Bali's tourism industry is on the decline”.

Further, it is claimed that the island may become marginalised when the ASEAN charter takes effect in 2015 and makes travel to other regional tourist attractions more affordable for Indonesians.

The “expert” - Daradjatun Kuntjoro Jakti, former coordinating minister for the economy - told the Jakarta Post that Bali's tourism industry had reached a saturation point that could endanger public livelihood if the administration did not act.

He cited as reasons for the downturn, a deteriorating environment, deceitful taxi drivers and currency exchangers, an increasing prominence of Western-style buildings and diminishing Balinese culture in Bali.

He said Bali's tourism industry would not survive if nothing was done to address the problems given increasing competition from other ASEAN countries.