Why tourists avoid Besaki temple

Half of the people who visit Bali’s sacred Mother Temple of Pura Besakih are reporting their disappointment via social media.

“As much as 55% of tourist visiting the Besakih complex are complaining about the experience. This information is from 'Trip Advisor,'" explained the chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) for Karangasem.

While visitor have endless praise for the inspiring views and sacred setting of Bali’s most religious site, they have little regard for the treatment they must endure or how visits to the sacred site are organized.

Because of the failure of Pura Besakih to compete in terms of the visitor experience with other leading tourism sites around the world, Tama, who also serves a member of the Karangasem House of Representative (DPRD-Karangasem), is calling for the urgent formation of a Besakih Management Board being considered by the Besakih Community and the Regency of Karangasem. The Management Board will be able to address the complaints of tourist visitors.

He warned that the formation of the planned Management Board should not be solely about profit. The profit, he promised, will come when Besakih is properly managed.

Contacted separately, the head of the Culture and Tourism Department for Karangasem did not deny that many visiting tourists are finding their visit to Besakih an unsatisfactory experience. Moreover, he said that the problems plaguing Besakih are of long standing.  Adding, “The object is excellent, but there are a number of problems that give rise to complaints.”

When asked to elucidate, he mentioned aggressive traders who prey on visitors and illegal guides who coerce “tips” from tourists. He explained that this behavior is also found even among registered guides who are not ashamed to be extorting tourists.

More on www.balidiscovery.com.

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