Jakarta – Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa has urged Bali authorities to devise rules requiring people visiting the island to use local tour guides, following two recent reports of sexual violence against tourists in the past few weeks.
She made the statement in response to the alleged rape cases of a tourist from China by a motorcycle taxi driver in Badung hours after the new year and a tourist from Jakarta by a 17-year-old teenager that reportedly happened hours after the new year in Buleleng. The police are still hunting for the motorcycle taxi driver, while the teenager has been arrested.
"Always use local guides. That's what we want to keep emphasizing," said Puspa after an event in Jimbaran Bay on Sunday, as quoted from detik.com.
According to her, Bali is not only about its natural beauty, but also its unique spiritual aspects, which are understood best by Bali people. This is why local tour guides can offer the best experience for visitors, she said.
Puspa said that her office had coordinated with the provincial administration regarding ways to ensure safety for tourists in Bali.
"We are encouraging them to introduce regulations, the dos and don'ts that are expected to bring comfort and safety for tourists," she said.
Puspa noted that foreign tourists in Bali have been working illegally as tour guides or drivers, calling for stricter sanctions to deter such practices.
Bali Tourism Office head Tjok Bagus Pemayun said his office had coordinated with the Buleleng regency to formulate a regulation requiring the use of local tour guides as a preventive measure.
Interim Bali governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya said he would enhance supervision at tourist destinations across the province.
"We have coordinated with the Bali Police and assigned the Public Order Agency [Satpol PP] to conduct patrols at tourist destinations and other locations we consider necessary," Mahendra said on Saturday, as quoted by kompas.com.