The Indonesian Department of Tourism and its Balinese office have a central role in predicting, recognizing and treating the challenges created by the economically profitable, but culturally threatening, tourism of this high-technology and travel-minded generation. The Bali Department of Tourism has begun to take the lead in serving as a "cultural conservator," working with other government offices, as well as university researchers, religious leaders and the tourist industry, but this role needs constant encouragement by the central government, as well as the Governor of Bali. Since tourism is viewed by Indonesian officials as a vital source of international currency, the Balinese have real leverage in fighting for their cultural health, which after all is the raison d'etre for the tourist industry. But the Department of Tourism needs the top-down authorization to make and enforce hard decisions which might counter certain interest groups and their short-term gains. The Balinese provincial leaders should insist that a requirement for an honest "cultural impact study" for proposed developments in each of the governmental agencies and by the private sector will be instituted. A panel of Indonesian leaders could then adjudicate the decisions, based on the goals of a "master plan" already undertaken for Bali by the World Bank.
At the same time, tourists can be educated as they arrive and stay in Bali. Visitor centers, mini-museums, slide-tape programs and films in transit could alert tourists about what to expect and why, how to behave, and what actions will show honor to the Balinese.
Educating, testing and licensing of guides, tour operators, and local performing groups would likewise strengthen the ability of Balinese to understand their role in promoting an enduring culture for coming generations.
Is Bali unique in its relationship to tourism? As in so many other ways, assuredly so. But in offering a potential both for future tourism and for its own cultural future, Bali may provide a model for other peoples as well.
The Indonesian Department of Tourism and its Balinese office have a central role in predicting, recognizing and treating the challenges created by the economically profitable, but culturally threatening, tourism of this high-technology and travel-minded generation. The Bali Department of Tourism has begun to take the lead in serving as a "cultural conservator," working with other government offices, as well as university researchers, religious leaders and the tourist industry, but this role needs constant encouragement by the central government, as well as the Governor of Bali. Since tourism is viewed by Indonesian officials as a vital source of international currency, the Balinese have real leverage in fighting for their cultural health, which after all is the raison d'etre for the tourist industry. But the Department of Tourism needs the top-down authorization to make and enforce hard decisions which might counter certain interest groups and their short-term gains. The Balinese provincial leaders should insist that a requirement for an honest "cultural impact study" for proposed developments in each of the governmental agencies and by the private sector will be instituted. A panel of Indonesian leaders could then adjudicate the decisions, based on the goals of a "master plan" already undertaken for Bali by the World Bank.At the same time, tourists can be educated as they arrive and stay in Bali. Visitor centers, mini-museums, slide-tape programs and films in transit could alert tourists about what to expect and why, how to behave, and what actions will show honor to the Balinese.
Educating, testing and licensing of guides, tour operators, and local performing groups would likewise strengthen the ability of Balinese to understand their role in promoting an enduring culture for coming generations.
Is Bali unique in its relationship to tourism? As in so many other ways, assuredly so. But in offering a potential both for future tourism and for its own cultural future, Bali may provide a model for other peoples as well.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..