KUTA, Bali (BPN) – Eco Tourism Bali hosted the 2nd edition of World Tourism Day 2024 at Studio Eksotika, Desa Potato Head, under the theme “Bali Tourism: Climate Change & Tri Hita Karana”, on September 27, 2024.
This year’s event highlighted the urgent need to address Bali’s climate challenges while promoting sustainable tourism rooted in the island’s rich cultural heritage and traditional philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which promotes harmony between people, nature, and the divine.
In alignment with the UNWTO World Tourism Day 2024 global theme of “Tourism and Peace,” the Bali event also underscored the powerful role tourism plays in fostering peace and understanding between cultures and destinations.
By integrating Tri Hita Karana, the event stressed the importance of respecting the environment, humanity, and spirituality, reinforcing how sustainable tourism can be a pathway to global harmony and reconciliation.
The day’s discussions kicked off with a panel session exploring the intersections of Bali Tourism, Climate Change, and Tri Hita Karana.
Experts shared insights on how these elements can shape a sustainable tourism model for Bali, addressing environmental concerns while preserving cultural integrity.
The discussion showcased how tourism can serve as a bridge between environmental stewardship and cultural preservation, contributing to a more peaceful global community.
The event’s alignment with UNWTO’s focus on Tourism and Peace was further highlighted in a session on sustainable benchmarking and verification.
As the tourism sector faces increasing demand for transparency in sustainability practices, speakers emphasised the need for reliable, measurable standards.
This is not only critical for environmental preservation but also for fostering long-term peace by ensuring the tourism industry respects local cultures and ecosystems.
“Today, as we commemorate World Tourism Day 2024, let’s highlight the importance of sustainability benchmarks in tourism, so that businesses, especially accommodation, are encouraged to implement environmentally friendly and climate-friendly practices, in order to strengthen our commitment to sustainability,” said Tjok Bagus Pemayun, the Head of Bali Tourism Office.
Therefore, Eco Climate Badge was launched as a major milestone of the event, as a new sustainability verification scheme for hotels and restaurants in Bali.
It is designed to encourage eco-friendly practices that protect both the natural environment and the cultural heritage of the island, which also aligns with global efforts to advance sustainable tourism, contributing to Bali’s role in promoting peace through tourism by preserving the integrity of its unique landscapes and traditions.
According to the Bali Provincial Office, in 2023, there are more than 7,500 hotels in Bali, and yet, only a few can get the international standard verification.
By creating this guideline, it is hoped to attract hotels who haven’t gained access to improve their sustainability to join.
Ayuk Yulianingsih, the Market Team Leader of Booking.com also approves the initiatives, as their recent research stated that about 83% of global travellers now prefer and prioritise eco-friendly options, and about 56% are willing to pay more for sustainable alternatives.
Therefore, making Eco Climate Badge more attractive for travellers as well as hotels and restaurants.
A positive remark of the benefits of the Eco Climate Badge was portrayed by Amanda Marcella, Potato Head’s Director of Sustainability.
“I think it is great that we have this (guideline), we can always look and see what we can improve next.”
The event also included an open discussion on the growth of financial support and funding for green businesses, focusing on the role of financial resources in advancing sustainable tourism.
Participants explored how increased investment in eco-friendly initiatives can further strengthen Bali’s commitment to sustainable development, both economically and culturally.
As part of this year’s World Tourism Day celebrations, Bali’s event paralleled the global recognition of tourism’s role in peace building.
This global focus on the role of tourism in reconciliation and cultural understanding echoes the sentiments of Bali’s celebration, proving that tourism, when done sustainably and respectfully, can be a driving force for peace and progress worldwide.
