Bali, the Most Important Tourist Place in the World

I was walking home the other day after a lecture. I looked around the neighborhood, there were simply big houses and fences with a tree every here and there. That day, the lecturer said that Bali was the most important tourist place in the world. I understand that Bali is indeed an outstanding island but, why is it though? I was curious myself. What’s so important?

In the following year, I had the opportunity to visit Bali for the first time. It was quite as promised. It was beautiful and magnificent, except for the littering at the gorgeous Kuta beach. The trip firstly took me down to the south of Bali that had many picturesque beaches and good food. Then I went up to the unexpectedly cold and magical Kintamani and Mount Batur. Yes, I was undoubtedly attracted to those places.

However, what captivated me the most is when I kept my eyes on the Balinese houses while being in a speeding car along the trip or walking around the neighborhood. Wherever, whether it’s a humble living house or a big office building, they all had a front sacred temple for the occupant to pray and worship in front of. The inhabitants also had a somewhat small offering made from leafy dish to serve Gods and spirits right in the front gate. As it is a spiritual tradition, one thing foreigners should do was simply respect the offerings by walking carefully around them, not to step on them for sure. I also happened to be sightseeing in a souvenir market when I saw a merchant lady prayed by bowing down in front of her small store with her fresh offering in hand. At home, at place of work or place of attraction and so on, Balinese people put God first by having their surroundings ready for worship and to me, that is a beautiful sight to see.

My question however, why is Bali the most important tourist place in the world, is answered.

There are many beautiful beaches, waterfalls or other natural attractions. There are also many cultural attractions with beautiful culture within although you will find them mostly in cultural heritage or museums. But where can you find a place or region in which the people still hold on to their spiritual culture and practice their tradition as a normal way of life nowadays?

Of course, there are changes in Bali in many aspects. But what will Bali always offer you is its convenient culture to be enjoyed by the walkers on the streets. What you want to see in Bali is actually it’s tradition that is held by its people and is showcased in their humble environment. That alone is an idea of tourism, that’s why visitors enjoy Bali thus much. Sociologically, Bali’s tourist attraction is not about the beaches, the clubs nor even the Kecak dance. As said previously, wherever you are in the land of Bali, you will find culture. It is found in its people as they practically worship and pray in front of their yards or stores. That is when you are served with captivating culture as your primer tourist attraction and you will not take your eyes off of them.