Balinese Life
Harmonisation of Agricultural and Tourism Sectors

Currently, intersector contribution in the economy of Bali is extremely unbalanced. Economic development of Bali during the last 30 years indicates reversed data. Different from the condition of 30 years ago, when the contribution of agricultural sector to the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of Bali reached 70% and currently drops to 20%. In contrast, tourism sector increased to 70%, while industrial sector seems to be constant, approximately 10%.

These data indicate agricultural sector has been marginalized these days. Its condition will be getting progressively sluggish since workforce that is interested in agricultural sector only increases 2% a year. Clifford Greertz calls this symptom the process of agricultural ‘involution’.
On the contrary, tourism sector is seemingly unable to be relied on yet as an external and internal condition. Any minor disturbances occur in Bali or in the world, can inflict the tourism sector on being sluggish. Empirical experience of tourism sector in Bali has come to be real evidence and the people of Bali have become an immensely heartbreaking victim-witness.
The fact that current tourism sector of Bali even extends contribution as much as 70% of economy of Bali reveals that the existence of tourism sector genuinely is hazardous to the life of Balinese community. On that account, any disturbances come about on tourism sector will immediately cause touching impact on the community of Bali itself.
On the other hand, the high rising growth in tourism sector even results in excessive migration to Bali. Ultimately, both in sluggish condition and on the other way around, these migrants will definitely become social difficulties (including social illnesses) in Bali.
By nature, imbalance in any manifestations, unquestionably provoke social problems, including intersector imbalance of agriculture and tourism. Therefore, it needs a mechanism or particular system to facilitate the realization of intersector harmony of economy in Bali.

THK Awards Program
Tri Hita Karana (THK) is a concept or life philosophy that has been adhered to the life of Balinese community since centuries ago. This life philosophy has been practiced thoroughly in the circle of subak (Balinese irrigation cooperative) institution and customary village in Bali. On account of this THK philosophical substance is eminently modernistic, namely highly respecting the harmonic and togetherness principle, so this philosophy needs prompting to implement it in the social life, including in the life of economic sector, chiefly tourism. Thus, through the implementation of THK, the tourism sector can develop harmony with agricultural sector, which in current times lays in sluggish condition.
Since last 2000, Bali Travel News has presented Tri Hita Karana Tourism Awards and Accreditations (THK Awards). The substance of ideal expectation of THK Awards program that is intended for hotel management in Bali has generated a kind of motivation to attain intersector harmony and togetherness of tourism and agriculture. Amongst them is the motivation in order that hotel is willing to accept the local agricultural products produced by farmer community at its surrounding. Even, it is expected that there should be a Memory of Understanding (MoU) between hotel side and community at the hotel’s vicinity, including that of farmer.
If hotel side can implement the ideal substance and motivation of THK Awards program, it means that the hotel has given a great contribution to the sake of the growth of harmonic and togetherness process between the two sectors. In this matter, the hotel side is not necessary to import foodstuff and other needs from overseas or outside Bali. For that purpose, farmers should be able to be in production continuously and improve their productivity. And, if we indeed have a commitment, technical problems could be resolved assuredly.

In modern eras, since the decade of 1960s, this island has attracted more visitors even though it lacked of facilities. In the long run, beaches like Kuta and Sanur progressively became famous playground among foreign tourists to do water activities. Circa 1974, Kuta still looked so natural as other pristine rural villages with its distinctive coconut plantation and beach bordered with pandanus clusters. However, in keeping with the arrival of more visitors, it then came to be renowned beach worldwide.
If the Balinese originally interacted with nature just for treasure, taking its resources, so the arrival of some foreign tourists to Bali have given them a new way to find pleasure. They have caught fish in the sea for generations by traditional jukung outrigger and been familiar with high and low waves. In the long run, many locals were interested in surfing as their tourist mate did. Some prestigious surfing tournaments were once held on this island. Not satisfied with Kuta’s waves, other surfing enthusiasts kept on discovering new sites. Some went westward by trying Canggu, Balian and Medewi Beach, southwardly to Jimbaran, Nyang Nyang, Dreamland and Suluban Beach, while the rest explored the Serangan, Lebih and some other beaches. This rapid development then followed by the construction of new small accommodations there.
Other than carrying out regular job, fishermen group also got order to take tourist for leisure sailing or crossing the lake to reach the ancient village at Trunyan. Soon, other water sports were introduced for visitors’ consumption. There are diving that takes guest to underwater exploration seeing the allurement and richness of coral reef along with its decorative fish and other biodiversity or enjoying fishing to catch delicious fish and many more.
The arrival of cruise ship has added the richness of water attractions. It usually sells one-day package to Lembongan Island consisting of village excursion, snorkelling, banana boat, glass bottom boat and so forth or sunset sailing while having dinner aboard. In essence, visitors will be able to luxuriate in their holiday with pleasure and happily.
Fast and challenging adventure has also enlivened some famous rivers in Bali, like the Ayung River with its white water rafting. This grouped sport that needs cooperation brings unlimited enjoyment where participants can discern some activities of the locals in the river, native birds along the river valley or even splash down into deep pool in a stream. In short, water sports as tourist attraction has given wide job opportunity to the locals.
Household mothers around the location, like at premier surfing sites, got new side job. Having completed their household works including the ritual in the morning, they take advantage their spare time by offering massage service on the beach. Or while waiting for guests who purchase beer or soft drink in their temporary warung (stall), they bring along some pieces of young coconut leaves for ketupat rice bag and canang offerings. As a matter of fact, this is something new for the Balinese who are customarily familiar with agricultural activities. Therefore, the sea or other location of watersports has given them something like ‘hidden treasure.’ (BTN/029)