A new academic study warns that many of Bali’s once-promising tourism villages are struggling to survive due to weak planning, lack of innovation, and political interference, threatening the sustainability of community-based tourism (CBT) across Indonesia’s most famous island.
The research, titled “Deconstructing the Myths of Village Tourism in Bali: Development Constraints and Recommendations for Collaborative Models Based on Local Wisdom to Enhance Existence,” surveyed 146 respondents representing 179 tourist villages throughout Bali. Despite government support and post-pandemic enthusiasm for rural tourism, the findings reveal that most of these villages are now facing what researchers call a “crisis of existence.”
According to the study, many tourist villages were established hastily without adequate preparation, institutional structures, or long-term planning. What was once envisioned as a model of Community-Based Tourism—a system where local communities lead and benefit directly from tourism—has in many cases become a symbolic project with little real empowerment.
“Many tourist villages were declared open without sufficient readiness, leading to weak organization and unclear management direction,” the report states.
The “Myths” Behind the Decline
The study identifies five key “myths” or justifications that explain why village tourism in Bali has faltered.
First, many projects were developed spontaneously, following short-term trends or political agendas rather than grounded research. Government programs often focused on quantity—launching new tourist villages—without ensuring that local communities were prepared or involved meaningfully in the process.
Second, local innovation remains limited. Most villages continue to offer similar products—traditional dance, handicrafts, and natural scenery—without providing new or distinctive experiences. The absence of creative product design and the lack of training for villagers have made it difficult to compete with more developed destinations.
Third, digital readiness is a significant weakness. In the era of online marketing and social media, most tourist villages lack the digital infrastructure or skills to manage websites, online promotions, or booking systems. As a result, many destinations remain invisible to domestic and international travelers.
Fourth, the study highlights the strong influence of political interests from outside the community. Local tourism development is often shaped by political priorities rather than the real needs of residents. These external interventions, the authors argue, have diverted attention from empowerment to optics—creating “showcase villages” for policy success rather than sustainable livelihoods.
Fifth, Bali’s traditional social structure has made the implementation of community-based tourism particularly complex. Hierarchical systems rooted in customary law and caste traditions have limited inclusive participation. Internal conflicts, unequal profit distribution, and weak institutional capacity have further hindered progress.
“The ideal of community-based tourism remains far from reality,” the authors, I Nyoman Sukma Arida from Udayana University, Bali conclude. “Most initiatives have failed to engage communities in a truly participatory and equitable way.”
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A Crisis of Sustainability and Identity
These issues have led to what researchers describe as a “crisis of sustainability” for village tourism in Bali. Once hailed as a driver of cultural preservation and rural empowerment, many tourist villages are now struggling to maintain relevance and visitor interest. Some that were once popular have seen declining visitor numbers due to a lack of innovation and poor management.
The study also notes a growing trend of “copy-paste tourism.” Many villages imitate the concepts of others rather than building on their own unique culture and environment. This has led to a homogenization of tourism experiences—villages look similar, offer similar products, and ultimately lose the distinct authenticity that originally attracted travelers.
In some cases, public infrastructure developed through government funding has fallen into disuse. Without proper management or maintenance, facilities such as homestays, information centers, and craft stalls have been left idle, becoming symbols of wasted investment.
Furthermore, limited financial literacy and weak administrative systems have left many communities unable to sustain the businesses they started. Without proper marketing, management, and governance, several tourist villages have effectively gone dormant.
A Collaborative Model Rooted in Local Wisdom
To address these challenges, the researchers propose a collaborative model based on local wisdom, emphasizing cooperation between communities, government agencies, private sectors, and cultural institutions. The approach seeks to balance tourism growth with the preservation of Bali’s cultural identity and environmental values.
Under this model, local wisdom (kearifan lokal)—including communal decision-making, respect for nature, and spiritual values—is positioned as the foundation for sustainable tourism management. The goal is to ensure that tourism benefits are distributed fairly while maintaining cultural authenticity.
The study stresses the need to strengthen digital capacity among rural communities. Training villagers in online communication, marketing, and digital storytelling could help bridge the gap between traditional tourism practices and global market trends.
Equally important, transparent governance is needed to prevent elite capture and political manipulation. Decision-making processes should involve local residents at every stage, from planning and product development to marketing and profit-sharing.
“The strength of village tourism lies in community identity and collective spirit,” said Arida again. “Tourism will only be sustainable when the people become the subjects, not the objects, of development.”
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The Need for a Paradigm Shift
The authors of the study argue that the future of village tourism in Bali depends on a fundamental shift in perspective—from viewing tourism villages as political achievements to seeing them as living ecosystems of culture, economy, and community.
Government agencies, they say, must move beyond ceremonial declarations and focus on long-term mentoring, capacity building, and infrastructure support. Meanwhile, villagers need to be empowered with the knowledge and tools to innovate, manage finances, and market their destinations effectively.
A coordinated tourism ecosystem that includes universities, digital platforms, and private investors could help villages evolve sustainably. Collaboration between these actors would allow for a more integrated model—one that supports local creativity while connecting Bali’s villages to global tourism networks.
The study also highlights the importance of addressing social inequality within villages. Without equitable benefit-sharing and inclusive participation, tourism can deepen divisions rather than strengthen communities.
“Bali’s villages need not just tourists, but trust,” the authors write. “Trust among villagers, between communities and government, and between tradition and modernization.”
A Path Forward
Despite the challenges, the researchers remain optimistic. Bali’s deep-rooted culture of cooperation (gotong royong) and strong local identity provide a foundation for rebuilding a more authentic and resilient model of rural tourism.
They recommend continuous dialogue among stakeholders, community-based monitoring systems, and the inclusion of younger generations in digital and creative roles. By doing so, villages can adapt to modern tourism trends while remaining true to their cultural roots.
Ultimately, the study concludes that sustainable village tourism in Bali will depend on more than economic success—it will depend on preserving the island’s soul. Without genuine collaboration and respect for local wisdom, the concept of “village tourism” risks becoming nothing more than a label, detached from the people and traditions it was meant to empower. (Sulung Prasetyo)
