UBUD, Bali (BPN) – The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of the Gianyar chapter officially appointed Gede Paskara Karilo as chairman for the 2024-2029 term, through a meeting held on Wednesday (July 3, 2024) at The Ubud Village Resort and Spa.
Gede Paskara Karilo stated various challenges during his five-year tenure, such as improving the destination infrastructures in Gianyar Regency and advancing the tourism human resources.
Gede Paskara Karilo also highlights the commission wars in restaurants in Gianyar specifically in Ubud, which should ideally focus on competition based on quality and experience.
“There are many challenges we must face in the next five years. From infrastructure, especially in tourism areas, to social and environmental issues, as well as efforts to enhance human resources. None of these are easy; it requires collaboration among all stakeholders in Gianyar,” said Gede Paskara Karilo, also owner of Wapa di Ume Resort Ubud, during the inauguration ceremony.
Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, popularly called Cok Ace, Chairman of PHRI Bali, mentioned that Gianyar lacks white sandy beaches and sunset views like Denpasar and Badung. However, Gianyar’s tourism wealth lies in its deeply rooted traditions and culture among its people.
Cok Ace urged the new PHRI Gianyar board to maintain the tourism climate in Gianyar, especially now that many investors are starting to look at Gianyar, particularly Ubud.
“I am very concerned because currently, many parties are indifferent to the environment. We seem powerless; we can’t even speak, let alone act. Therefore, let us guide everyone to preserve our culture,” said Cok Ace.
Meanwhile, the former chairman Pande Mahayana Adityawarman who led from 2018 to 2023, emphasized the importance of leadership regeneration within an organization.
“Leadership regeneration is crucial. It’s time for the younger generation to contribute and dedicate themselves to Gianyar,” said Pande Adit, also owner of The Ubud Village Resort and Spa.
Adit hopes that the new PHRI board will collaborate closely with the local government and other tourism stakeholders in Gianyar to ensure the tourism climate in Gianyar remains healthy and of high quality.
He explained that the tourism industry has returned to normalcy post-pandemic. However, there are both positive and negative impacts behind this tourism boom.
“On the positive side, there’s economic activity. On the negative side, there are environmental and social impacts. Environmentally, there is pollution due to waste, and the reduction of green open spaces due to extensive tourism development,” he said.
Adit suggested that investors should contribute more to the community. For instance, during ceremonies, investors should participate actively either through manpower or financial support, and they should also help maintain the purity of temples.
Adit also advised the new PHRI Gianyar management to strengthen cooperation with all stakeholders, collaborate across associations, and partner with the government to ensure that tourism in Gianyar would not be out of control.
“PHRI Gianyar, whose members are locals, certainly do not want our home to be damaged. We, in PHRI Gianyar, were born here and will always be here, and we will take care of Bali,” he concluded.
