Dr Bendesa earned his doctorate in economics at the Australian National University in 1991. He also obtained a master's degree at the same university. He was appointed as a professor of economics at the economics faculty, University of Udayana, in 2004, and was elected dean of the economics faculty from 1993 to 1999, and the coordinator of the private universities to Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara from 2000 to 2005. In 1999, he founded the International Business Studies Network (IBSN) for German students to study at University of Udayana. In 2006, he became a vice rector for academic affairs for two terms. From 2010-2017 he has held the post of director of the doctoral program of tourism at the same university. In 2016 he and his colleagues edited a book on Tourism and Sustainable Regional Development in Indonesia: IRSA Book Series on Regional Development No.14. In the field of research he has an interest in economic development and tourism. He is a founding member of ATREI.