The start of a new decade has brought a renewed interest in exploring solutions and opportunities to many of the problems associated with Bali’s blossoming tourism industry.

The most immediate issues being discussed are the over dependence on tourism and the environmental impact mass tourism has on the island and its economy.

Outside forces can’t be controlled

Puspa Bali News are reporting Head of the Bali Provincial Statistics Agency, Adi Nugroho, as saying Bali’s tourism related businesses contribute over 50-percent of the island’s revenue and this leads to over-dependence on things that can’t be controlled.

Being vulnerable to market fluctuations for example, which are in turn influenced by outside forces (the US-China Trade War) and natural events (the eruption of Gunung Agung) are precarious to say the least.

In addition, the impact ever-increasing numbers have on the environment is something Bali is acutely aware of. Waste and water management, overstretched infrastructure and power deficiencies are real issues and some fingers point to the tourism industry as being responsible.

Less is More

Mass tourism it seems, doesn’t offer any viable or sustainable alternatives to escape this cycle. One possible way forward however, is to adopt a “less is more” mindset.

According to Puspa Bali News, Putu Astawa, Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, is suggesting quality tourism is the answer.

While this isn’t exactly new news it is gaining more traction as the world wakes up to the urgent need to adopt a more environmentally aware future.

Gapura Bali reported in November 2018 on something called Tourism 2020: Quality over Quantity, which suggested Bali could lead the way and be a prime example of tourism development based on being a Tri Hita Karana – a Green Sustainable Tourism Destination.

“The key is not to just pursue quantity and reduce prices. We must improve the quality and importantly tourists will spend more,” said House of Representatives Commission X Member, I Putu Supadma on the sidelines of the 2018 Indonesia Tourism Attraction Expo and Forum (ITAEF).

Tourism trends in 2020

Some of the latest research from the world’s leading travel providers suggests responsible travel and Eco-conscious decisions will dominate travel trends in the year ahead.

A recent report in National Geographic claims they asked “more than a dozen industry experts what travel will look like in 2020, and the overwhelming consensus is that this year – more than ever before – travelers will prioritize their journeys’ impacts: on the planet, on destinations and local communities, and on themselves.”

Investment Opportunities

This in itself offers more opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to capitalize on eco-friendly, community based initiatives in Bali. Recently issued regulations for clean energy and electric vehicles for example, will provide more opportunities for green investments in transportation and construction.

There are incentives to follow these new rules. Regulation No. 45/2019 says industrial, commercial, and mall buildings with floor areas of more than 1,000-square metres, resorts with a land area of more than 3,000-square metres and 4-star (and above) hotels that use electricity sourced from clean energy will be entitled to a special green electricity tariff.

Promoting Quality Tourism

The Jakarta Post is also reporting on the need for Indonesia to move away from mass tourism plans, “urging the authorities to look beyond tourist arrival targets and focus on improving infrastructure and sustainability to promote quality tourism.”

Bali’s tourism industry is at a cross roads. It must make a choice between quality and preserving its natural attractions or quantity and mass tourism.  Choosing to ignore the signs, could well result in a tough and costly year ahead.