Tourists to be banned from visiting Hindu temples

In 2017 when Bali’s annual tourists figure reached five million, little did the authority know that offensive behaviors by some unguided visitors would ever prompt them to consider tough restrictions on tourists.

There is an increased worry that Western tourists are climbing on holy sites or disrespectfully posing for photos in skimpy swimwear. As a result of this, authorities on Bali, known as “the island of 1000 temples”, are considering tough new restrictions on tourists’ access to those sacred areas.

Bali’s Deputy Governor, Tjokorda Oka Artha Sukawati, known as Cok Ace said tourists may be banned from visiting Hindu temples unaccompanied.

“The quality of tourists is now different from before. It is because we are too open with tourists, so too many come”, Cok Ace lamented at a regional council meeting.

Rethinking on what tourists could and couldn’t do around Bali’s Hindu temples is now the next line of action.

 “This is the government’s attempt to maintain the Pura (temples). The temples need to be preserved since they are the spirits of Bali’s cultures and customs” Cok Ace emphasized.

His comments appeared to be prompted by a recent viral photo of a Danish tourist sitting on the holy Linggih Padmasana shrine at Puhur Luhur Batukaru temple.

“We saw tourists climbing on ancient walls, not wearing proper attire even after being told by ticket sellers or whatnot, being in spots to take photos that were not permitted. Indian culture is different from Western culture”