PUPAR LPPM Udayana University Holds FGD Reflection on Bali Tourism Based on Culture, Quality, Responsibility and Sustainability

Denpasar - The Center for Tourism Excellence (PUPAR) of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of Udayana University (Unud) held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) Reflection on Bali Tourism Based on Culture, Quality, Responsible and Sustainable at the Nusantara Room, Agrocomplex Building, Sudirman Campus, Denpasar, Thursday (6/3/2025). This FGD was attended by participants from government, industry or associations, community leaders, academics and the media and presented five speakers, namely the Chairperson of the DPD Asita Bali, Member of the DPD RI for the Bali Electoral District IB Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra, Chairperson of PHRI Bali, Representative of the Bali DPRD and Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office.

Head of PUPAR Unud Prof. Anak Agung Putu Agung Suryawan Wiranatha in his remarks said that the challenges of Bali tourism are increasingly complex and tend not to be beneficial for the sustainability of Bali tourism. For example, the issue of overtourism has become controversial because many opinions state that the issue of Bali overtourism is a fictitious issue, because in reality the conditions considered to be overtourism are only felt in a very small part of the Bali region, namely Canggu, Seminyak and the surrounding area.

However, the over concentration condition in the area needs to be improved by developing quality and sustainable tourism. Tourism stakeholders have worked hard to create tourism products and services collaboratively and integratedly so that they can provide satisfaction for tourists and also happiness for local residents. However, it is still recognized that there are weaknesses in terms of public infrastructure and the application of strict and consistent legal regulations for both tourism actors and tourists. Various problems have not been handled properly, resulting in a negative image related to the Bali tourism sector. In addition, other issues that are in the spotlight of the public on social media also need to get attention and be discussed in this FGD event.

"Now is the time for Bali tourism to take systematic steps towards the New Era of Bali Tourism, namely quality, responsible and sustainable Bali tourism, which is based on cultural tourism so that the benefits of tourism can be enjoyed by the Balinese people who are the guardians of Balinese culture itself," he said.

Meanwhile, the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. I Gede Rai Maya Temaja representing the Rector of Unud in his speech opening the event said that Udayana University, which has excellence in the academic field of tourism, starting from the Tourism Vocational/Diploma Education Program, Tourism Bachelor Program, Tourism Master Program, to Tourism Doctoral Program, as well as the tourism study center which has become the Center of Excellence for Tourism Science and Technology in Indonesia, feels called to contribute ideas and solutions through this FGD event.

"It is time for Balinese tourism to start taking systematic, structured and directed steps towards quality, responsible and sustainable Balinese tourism, which of course still prioritizes cultural tourism as the basis for developing Balinese tourism so that the benefits of tourism can be enjoyed by the Balinese people who are the guardians of Balinese culture itself," he said.

The sustainability of Balinese tourism also means the sustainability of Balinese culture. Likewise, the sustainability of Balinese culture is the main supporter of the sustainability of Balinese tourism. Balinese culture is not only related to works of art, dances, Balinese traditional ceremonies, but also includes culture related to the preservation of nature and the environment, as well as the development of Balinese human resources, as stated in the values ​​of Balinese local wisdom known as Sad Kerthi.

Through this FGD activity, it is hoped that the challenges faced by Balinese tourism can be inventoried and mapped, and solutions can be found together.