Hotel Association Suggests Govt Controls Tourist

Gianyar (Antara Bali) - Bali's Chief of Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Tjokorda Oka Arta Ardhana Sukawati, suggests that the government controls the number of tourists coming to Bali.

"The development of tourism in Bali during the past few years has emphasized on quantity instead of the quality of tourists coming to the island," he said.

Tjokorda gave the example of cheap accommodation in Bali that attracts many tourists but, consequently, increases the density of population in the island.    

He said the large number of tourists coming to Bali also had a negative impact on the local culture.

"People in Ubud (north of Bali), for example, can no longer conduct cultural activities such as Mapeed (walking together in a group) without being disturbed by the public transportation and private cars flocking the area," he explained.(IGT)