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’’Bali
Travel News’’ and Tourism Development
Indonesians,
including Hindu Balinese, have been of the
opinion that some numbers such as 1, 2,
3 5, and 7, contain specific positions in
expressing the importance of things, historical
happenings, and personalities. They are
proud of Dwitunggal Sukarno – Hatta
leading in defending the nation in a 1945
fight against the Dutch colonial power armed
to the teeth at making a post-WW II comeback
to colonize this country. Even the Army
of the Republic of Indonesia has its own
oath of life and struggle formulated in
Sapta Marga or Seven Principles in upholding
the Republic both against internal and external
enemies.
Bali
Travel News now has passed through 5 years
in presenting commentary and objective articles
on tourism development on this tiny Island
of the Gods, as a bi-weekly medium specializing
in Bali’s tourism to support its development,
mainly during the post-Bali’s Tragedy
Affair of 12th October 2002, to the downturn
of tourism business in the biggest archipelago
in the world. The 5-year existence of the
English-edited magazine for tourism has
so far has reflected the ups and downs of
not merely tourism in Bali, but also the
culture and traditions of its Hindu Dharma
religious background often demonstrating
colorful parades of girls and men accompanied
by gamelan melodies.
In the ups and downs of historical development
Bali, there was a trace of tourism labeled
colonial tourism proposing Dutch colonial
policy in a ruthless set of military and
diplomatic campaigns in the late 19th and
early 20th centuries. Bali fell into the
net of a new rational and bureaucratic style
of colonialism following the end of a range
of kingdoms in Bali namely Karangasem and
Gianyar, falling into the net of this new
rational and bureaucratic style after a
peace with the Dutch, while ceding their
sovereignty between 1895 and 1900.
In completing the Dutch domination of Balinese
kingdoms, the colonial power remained in
toppling down the stubborn native kingdoms
of south Bali to finish off ruthlessly in
what they considered endings, puputans or
fighting to the death committed by Badung
kindom’s ruler and his family. After
having subjugated the Balinese kingdoms
in a conquest of 1849 to 1948, chance was
for the Dutch to realize its policy of being
seen to be preserving native culture and
the need for new sources of revenue. Bali
in early 20th century went through a series
of disasters: an earth quake, and the eruption
of Mt. Batur in 1917 destroying many temples
and palaces.
These disasters took many lives, like the
worldwide influenza epidemic of the time
that killed thousands; new taxes, and the
loss of traditional forms of patronage meant
great setbacks for most Balinese, while
the Great Depression topped off this privation.
Simultaneous with these conditions was the
development of the image of Bali as the
ultimate tourist destination, culturally
rich, with smiling people, an island of
dances and temples to attract the wealthy
of the world, and one with which most of
the Dutch civil servants posted here, also
fell in love.
During the independence of Indonesia following
the state proclamation on the 17th August
1945 by Dwitungal Sukarno – Hatta after
the bombing of Hiroshima (Japan) ending
the WW II in the Pacific, Bali occupied
a special place in the Republic, while remaining
loyal to President Sukarno in contrast to
policies adhered by the pro-Dutch Islamic
and military groups, which attempted coups
and assassinations during the rule of Sukarno.
During this era of Sukarno, Bali showed
a special image as seen in the restoration
of the as the Island of the Dancer and Artists.
The birth of the such-called New Order proclaimed
by Suharto Regime in 1966 on the threshold
of its governmental power, coincided with
the flourishing of international tourism
facilitated by UNDP development programs
in establishing Denpasar’s BTDC (Bali
Tourism Development Corporation) engaged
with the task of projecting and building
the Nusa Dua Resort by the end of 1970s.
Bali Travel News has maintained zest to
participate in keeping tourism flourishing
in Bali to the interest of Bali’s Tourism
development, especially in Post-12th-October
Bombing Tragedy of 2002, to the success
of restoration efforts now rushing both
in design and execution so as many domestic
and international visitors will be enthusiastic
to see Bali the Island of Dancers and Artists,
more recently referred to as the Island
of Gods. (BTN/05)
Achievement
of “Karyakarana Pariwisata”
(Tourism Awards)
 DENPASAR
- Bali Governor Dewa Made Beratha handed
over a “Karyakana Pariwisata”
reward to 12 Balinese tourism performer
in 2003 at Kerta Sabha Building Denpasar,
last Thursday (13/11). The performers are
Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra, I Nyoman Oka,
Ida Bagus Kompyang, Bagus Soedana, Anak
Agung Gede Rai, SS, MBA, Pande Wayan Suteja
Neka, Ketut Peter Suarsha, Prof. Drs. Ida
Bagus Adnyana Manuaba, SF, FIPS Hon. Ferg.S.,
Anak Agung Pandji Tisna, Drs. I Wayan Geriya,
Irjen Pol Drs. Made Mangku Pastika and John
Millard Daniels (seen in front). Later The
Governor handed over scholarships from Singapore
Airlines to several tourism students. (BTN/015)
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