Opposition mounts against Bali mega-projects
Bali’s tourist industry is opposing plans for a massive accommodation and entertainment development of the resort island’s Benoa Bay.
Cok Ace, chairman of Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI), told the Jakarta Post that tourists came to Bali for culture and nature, not entertainment.
The leader of the Puri Ubud royal family said that the huge reclamation project at Benoa Bay would not only have a negative impact on the environment but also on the island’s sociocultural life.
He said the development would replicate tourist facilities in neighbouring countries.
It has been reported that that four major investors are currently proposing developments at Benoa Bay to include construction of luxury hotels, a Formula 1 racing circuit, a Disney-like theme park and hotels.
Cok Ace, who is also chairman of the newly established Bali Tourism Promotion Board, suggested that the provincial administration and every tourism stakeholder conserve and preserve the island’s culture and nature instead of building "artificial entertainment and tourist facilities".
According to data from the Bali Tourism Agency, the number of hotels and tourist accommodation facilities in Bali exceeded demand.
There were 161 star-rated hotels with 20,753 rooms; 1,026 non-starred hotels with 20,199 rooms and 1,016 home stays with 4,478 rooms.
Ian Jarrett
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