Today, the island of Bali is known around the world as a paradise for surfing, yoga retreats, and luxury vacations. But back in the 1960s, it was a completely different island, where locals grew rice and lived according to ancient Balinese traditions. How did the development of tourism affect the island’s appearance, and what challenges did its popularity bring?
Bali before the tourism boom
In the 1970s, Bali’s economy was predominantly agricultural. The islanders’ livelihoods were based on rice terraces, coconut plantations, and traditional crafts. Balinese culture remained virtually untouched by outside influences, and the locals lived according to the traditional system of communal governance. No one thought about modern coworking spaces, comfortable villas with swimming pools, and boutique hotels back then: real estate in Bali https://myestateinvest.com/en/bali/ consisted of traditional Balinese dwellings made of natural materials. The architectural appearance of the island was shaped by centuries-old traditions, not the needs of the tourism business.
The turning point came when the Indonesian government declared Bali a tourist zone in the 1970s. The transformation was rapid and radical: from the opening of Ngurah Rai International Airport in 1970 to the present day, when tourism accounts for 80% of the island’s economy. By the 1980s, Bali had already become a popular destination for honeymooners and family vacations, and the construction of large resorts spread to the now famous areas of Seminyak, Kuta, and Ubud.
The local economy began to rapidly restructure itself to meet the needs of the tourism industry: farmers became guides, fishermen opened small cafes, and artisans adapted traditional crafts to the tastes of foreign guests. Rice fields gave way to hotels and restaurants, and the incomes of local residents tripled compared to neighboring provinces.
Modern Bali
Today, Bali welcomes around 6 million tourists annually. This figure is three times the population of the island itself. The tourism industry completely dominates the economy, providing employment for most of the island’s residents. Modern Bali is a mix of luxurious villas for digital nomads, nightclubs, and yoga studios.
However, success has a downside. The island’s infrastructure is under enormous strain: this is particularly noticeable in the transport infrastructure, which often cannot cope with the influx of tourists, leading to traffic jams. In addition, there is active cultural commercialization and a growing gap between tourist areas and traditional Balinese life. The paradox of modern Bali is that the island is both thriving and having to cope with challenges that were previously unknown to it.
