Tourism through culture

Bali Governor Wayan Koster, who is preparing for a second term, has announced a new concept for the island's development: reformatting tourist villages into cultural ones.

Koster believes that while villages continue to be positioned as "tourist", their cultural component is relegated to the background. And it is Balinese culture that is the main magnet for travelers.

What will change?

• Tourist villages such as Penglipuran, Jatiluwih and Taro will receive the status of "Cultural Villages"
• The main focus will be on traditional rituals, art, architecture and crafts
• New regional legislation will be developed to protect cultural heritage

"Without culture, there would be no tourism in Bali. Therefore, culture should be the focus. Villages will become places where traditions live, and not just beautiful locations for tourists," Koster said.