0 Karangasem to be developed as tranquil destination

Having natural, social and cultural potential, the Karangasem administration will focus on developing the regency as a tourist destination offering serenity. The administration is currently drafting a bylaw that will serve as guidance to develop its tourism sector in the future, regent Wayan Geredeg told Bali Daily recently. He emphasized that Karangasem had distinctive potential compared to other regencies in Bali, thus needed a different approach to develop its tourism. 

“If South Bali offers fun and excitement, we want to offer tranquility,” he said, adding that the regency’s potential included its breathtaking scenery of hills, rice fields and beaches that had not been damaged by construction projects, as well as the culture of its local people who still adhered to Hindu teachings. In order to optimize the potential, the administration has drafted a bylaw, which will regulate, among other things, tourism management, products, promotions, facilities and human resources. 

“We are still deliberating the regulation and involving tourism businesses, prominent figures in society and academics,” he said. Currently, the regency’s tourism agency preserves 15 main destinations in the regency, including Besakih Temple, Taman Ujung and the Amed area. Village-based tourism is also being developed in Sidemen, Budakeling and villages around Besakih Temple. The regency also has the famous old village of Tenganan, in which traditions are well preserved across generations. 

Geredeg said the administration would continue to improve the quality of its infrastructure, facilities, human resources and other supporting factors. “We will only develop the destinations and manage them professionally, without changing the basic potential,” he said, adding that generally Karang-asem was quieter than areas in south Bali, thus many tourists came there in search of tranquility, doing activities such as yoga and meditation. A number of construction projects that had been neglected and unfinished due to licensing problems, seen previously around Candidasa and Amed, have now been completed. 

Bagus Sudbya, a tourism businessman from Karangasem, said that Karangasem was perfect for development as a spiritual destination. “Generally, Karangasem has a very peaceful and quiet atmosphere. Facilities for meditation and yoga are also available in many places there,” he said, adding that better access from Denpasar to Karangasem would also support tourism development. He noticed that people who were interested to going to Karangasem were mostly those who were fond of history, social and cultural topics and underwater activities. 

Those who like historical places can visit Besakih Temple, Karangasem palace and Taman Ujung, while divers can make Tulamben and Padang Bai their favored spots. Geredeg added that foreign tourists to the regency were mostly from Europe, the US and Australia, and spent one to two weeks in the regency. Therefore, the administration would focus tourism promotion in those countries. “Next year, as in previous years, we will join tourism promotion events in Berlin, Frankfurt and Australia. We also plan to hold promotions in other areas, including in Indonesia.”

source : bali daily