How can tourism in Bali be made more nature-friendly? This question is increasingly being considered by local authorities, as there are not many rice fields left in the most popular areas of the island — large lands are being converted for development. Modern villas, beach clubs, and padel courts are undoubtedly appealing, but Bali is primarily valued for its culture and nature. Australians also dream of preserving the island’s authenticity, as the largest number of tourists visit Bali from this country every year. This is why the Australian Consulate General, Bali Tourism Department, and local eco-organization PlastikDetox Bali have decided to discuss potential cooperation on this issue.
Around 80 people gathered for the meeting in Denpasar — students, teachers, representatives of tourist companies and hotels, and people who genuinely want to improve the situation.
The Australian Consul General, Joe Stevens, stated that Australia and Indonesia are not just neighbors but good partners who together want to make tourism in Bali not only profitable but also eco-friendly. He emphasized the importance of sharing experiences and applying solutions in practice.
The head of the Bali Tourism Department, I Wayan Sumarajaya, added that he is seriously committed to not only developing the industry but also protecting nature. According to him, collaboration with Australia helps find real ways to preserve the island.
Other experts also participated in the discussion. They talked about how to reduce the amount of plastic and discussed examples of implementing eco-projects in practice. The meeting was moderated by Anna Sutanto, one of the founders of PlastikDetox Bali, who studied in Australia and now helps to make Bali cleaner.
The participants of the meeting once again concluded that eliminating single-use plastic in hotels and cafes is necessary, and educational organizations must engage with residents and tourists to help them understand why it is important to preserve nature and follow waste management rules. There was also mention of implementing new technologies that will save energy and water.
Everyone agreed that eco-tourism is not just a trendy movement but a vital necessity. If we don't care for nature now, Bali will ultimately lose what tourists love about it.
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