Bali governor lashes tourism promotion “shopping trips”
DENPASAR – Bali’s tourism promotion effort has came in for sharp criticism from the island’s outspoken governor, Made Mangku Pastika.
Comparing Bali’s tourism promotional efforts to the workings of a badly organized three-ring circus, Pastika said Bali’s tourism marketing was ineffective and inefficient.
Bali Update (www.balidiscovery.com), quoted a local report that the governor had complained that the results achieved by tourism promotion compared poorly with the amount of money expended.
He said the billions of rupiahs spent to promote tourism were more decorative than meaningful, and focused on "playing" at tourism as opposed to "working" for the tourism industry.
“Those promoting tourism abroad must also be people who really work to promote tourism, and not be on an overseas shopping trip."
Pastika went on, "There are many cultural delegations sent abroad. When they arrive at their overseas destinations they typically perform before the Indonesian embassy. What use is that? It’s like a circus group without a clear mission."
The governor urged Bali’s tourism promotion team to spend the billions of rupiahs now dedicated to cultural missions to be diverted to international television promotion.
Pastika said, "Make quality tourism promotion films. After that, show them on CNN and other international television channels. That will be far more useful than stage performances presented abroad."
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11