Tourism is not a scapegoat object

The co-19 pandemic situation has paralyzed the world economy, Indonesia including Bali. Covid-19 pandemic made the Balinese people aware of a common mistake that depended the majority of their welfare on the tourism industry. The cultural tourism that is embraced is then made into a tourism culture. Tourism for Bali then becomes Bali for tourism. Farmers who grow crops should aim to produce rice, but are now the object of spectacle or entertainment. Fishermen or coastal communities who are familiar with marine life and fish, but are now tourists, or restaurant and hotel workers. This error does not only lie with one party, whether it is the fault of the government, the central government, the local government, business people or tourism workers only, or academics, or other parties, but this is a common mistake. The tourism sector which later became the object of a scapegoat, whereas previously they enjoyed and flattered this sector.

Others economic sector, blame tourism industry as the cause of the deterioration of the Bali economy. Criticism in tourism comes from the elements of the entrepreneurs, workers or academics, but when viewed closely, why other sectors than tourism do not develop or do not get the attention of the government and its people, this can be caused by the relevant sectors not being developed optimally. Less than optimal development of sectors other than tourism can be caused by unfair goverment  policies, fast profit-oriented entrepreneurs, people want to get fast profit and prestigious, academics who are talkative enough to connect all their knowledge to the tourism sector, hopefully there is no nuclear development for tourism.

Optimization of sectors other than tourism in Bali begins with: first, cooperation between the parties so that they do not blame each other; second, cultural, scientific and technological approaches; third, based on the paradigm of sustainable development; fourth, the goal of benefits is not just profit; fifth, fair and equitable welfare. The government, both regional and central, the business world, the community and academics must work together to achieve a common goal of prosperity and happiness together. The development of the agriculture, fisheries, creative economy and other sectors must use a scientific and technological approach without leaving or even replacing the culture that already exists in Bali. The principles of sustainable development must remain the foundation of economic development in Bali. The paradigm of pursuing high economic growth must be changed towards sustainable economic development, which balances the attention of people, planet and profit or what is often called the Triple Bottom Line. If these steps are followed then benefits from development will not only benefit. So that equitable and equitable welfare will be achieved.