Bali Tourism Leaders Push for Innovative Certification Program

Denpasar, prominent tourism organizations in Bali have voiced strong support for the development of a certification program aimed at improving the quality of experiences at the island’s top attractions. The Indonesian Recreational Park Business Association (PUTRI) has expressed a need for establishing new standards to ensure safety, industry cohesion, and, most importantly, high-quality experiences for tourists. The Chairman of the Bali Restaurant and Hotels Association and former Deputy Governor of Bali, endorsed the proposal for a certification program. He emphasized that such a program would help tourists better assess the quality of attractions, hotels, restaurants, and other facilities on the island. Addressing Quality Discrepancies Cok Ace highlighted the rapid growth of Bali’s tourism sector, which has led to a noticeable variation in the quality of experiences available. He pointed out that the expanding range of tourism activities necessitates a certification process to ensure consistency in safety and quality across different providers. It was noted that while Bali has traditionally focused on cultural, natural, and artificial attractions, the rise of social-environmental attractions—such as festivals, selfie stations, and rice terrace swings—requires a distinct approach. There are challenges of ensuring quality and safety in this new category of attractions. He argued that the presence of high-end hotels and restaurants is rendered meaningless if the overall tourism experience is compromised. For instance, he described a scenario where a tourist could be injured, such as being bitten by a dog during a village walk, and stressed that such incidents could severely damage the island’s tourism image. He pointed out that the integration of safety measures and quality standards is crucial to maintaining the reputation of Bali’s tourism sector. Need for Comprehensive Certification It was seen that Bali’s tourism activities span multiple regions, including Tabanan, Gianyar, Bangli, and Buleleng, in addition to the more prominent Badung Regency, which features popular resorts like Uluwatu, Canggu, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua. Despite this diversity, a comprehensive certification program is still lacking. Inda Trimafo Yuma, the Head of PUTRI Bali, underscored the necessity of certification for nature-based tourism activities such as rafting, swings, and ATV tours. Yuma stressed that without certification, these activities could pose significant safety risks. She highlighted that ensuring tourism safety is paramount and urged that businesses offering these services should not compromise on quality. Ongoing Efforts and Impact on Tourism PUTRI Bali has been actively lobbying the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economies for over two years to establish a quality verification process. The anticipated certification program is expected to aid tourists in planning their visits, booking activities, and ensuring the quality of their experiences. Currently, tourists largely depend on online information, travel guides, blogs, and fellow travelers’ reviews to gauge the quality of their chosen experiences. However, safety and quality concerns have been a recurring issue among tourists, with numerous reports of accidents and injuries at various attractions. Such incidents have occurred in rafting experiences, ATV tours, adventure play centers, cultural sites, and coastal viewpoints. Additionally, the safety standards of Bali’s fast boat services, which connect the main island with the Nusa and Gili Islands, have been frequently criticized following incidents of capsizing, fires, and injuries. PUTRI’s Proposal for Safety and Quality Certification In response to these concerns, PUTRI has offered its expertise and resources to the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism to develop, implement, and manage a safety and quality certification program. This initiative aims to enhance the overall tourist experience in Bali by establishing clear standards and ensuring that attractions meet rigorous safety and quality criteria.