Grim Warning for Aussies as Big Tourist 'Issue' Could Soon Hit Bali: ‘A Great Shame’
It's a "distinct possibility" that residents in global travel hotspots might soon voice their frustrations with rising tourism rates and attempt to expel tourists, warns a leading Australian travel expert.
Quentin Long, Managing Director at Australian Traveller Media, drew attention to the thousands who protested against mass tourism in Barcelona, claiming it has pushed locals out of the housing market. He suggests that similar protests could occur in other popular destinations, including Bali, which is a favorite among Australians.
Recently, Indonesia's Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, commented on the likelihood of Balinese locals protesting against tourism, similar to the protests in Spain. “Things like that should not happen in Bali," he reportedly told the media. "Because if people feel uncomfortable with the presence of tourists, bad excesses emerge. In fact, tourism is one of the economic drivers in Bali."
Disrespectful Behavior from Tourists
However, Long believes that just because locals have been encouraged not to protest, doesn't mean they won't. Bali has a history of dealing with badly behaved tourists, and authorities have introduced various measures over the years to address the problem.
"There's been a lot of disrespectful behavior in Bali," Long told Yahoo News Australia. "You see people not dressed appropriately in temples, taking inappropriate selfies, drinking excessively, and treating locals disrespectfully. Driving while intoxicated on mopeds, you name it, it happens in Bali."
Yahoo News has previously reported on tourists behaving badly and disrespecting local customs, as authorities desperately try to manage unruly visitors. Instances include tourists climbing sacred trees, wearing inappropriate clothing, and generally making locals uncomfortable in a country known for its modesty. There have also been reports of drunken and disorderly behavior, including fights and an increase in waste.
"I think there's a distinct possibility that locals could start to express their frustrations with tourists directly and start to indicate that they would prefer tourists to do different things or go somewhere else," Long said. "And I don't think it's just targeting Australians. I hope it doesn't happen, but it is definitely possible."
Global Actions Against Over-Tourism
Long noted that some countries have already begun implementing measures to reduce high tourism rates. In Venice, Italy, day visitors were recently required to pay an $8 entry fee during peak hours to help preserve the city from overcrowding. In Bali, travelers must pay a $14 tourist tax on arrival. Amsterdam has also stopped cruise ships from entering local waters. Even in Australia, there have been discussions about introducing a tourist tax, although nothing concrete has been implemented.
"It's a global issue, not just Bali and Barcelona," Long said. "There are all sorts of different ways that countries have been trying to combat mass tourism, but it's going to have to be government-led. If they don't act, their citizens will."
Long theorized two possible scenarios for the future:
"In my opinion, the logical conclusion is that we have two possible routes here: One is that travel becomes dictated by finances, making destinations only affordable to the elite, which would be a great shame. The second way is to implement a lottery system where only certain people are given permission to visit. But neither of these situations are ideal."
On an individual level, "we all need to make choices about what we do, where we go, and how we spend our money," Long said. "Just be educated about what you're doing when you're going."
