0 No more leeway for illegal businesses: Bali Tourism Agency

Bali Tourism Agency expects the municipal and regency administrations to stop being lenient with illegal tourist-related businesses. Head of Bali Tourism Agency Ida Bagus Kade Subhiksu acknowledged that amid the rapid growth of tourism on the island, many related businesses, such as accommodation, restaurants, travel agencies, tour agencies, spa centers and adventure tourism operators, were operating without the proper licenses. This not only causes unhealthy competition, such as price wars, with those with proper licenses, but these businesses often operate with no guarantee for their customers’ security and safety.

Although concerned to receive many complaints about the operation of illegal businesses, Subhiksu said his hands were tied due to the regional autonomy law that limits the authority of the provincial level agencies to interfere with the matter. “Accommodation businesses, like hotels and villas, as well as other businesses related to tourism, obtain their licenses from the regency and municipal administrations. So, discipline is also part of their authority. We can only urge them to be more selective when giving out permits,” said Subhiksu.

After the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on security management for accommodation and restaurants between the Bali Police and the Bali chapter of the Association of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI), Bali Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Ketut Untung Yoga acknowledged that such illegal premises had brought about fatalities to their customers. “No responsibility was taken by the operators in the case of tourists drowning during diving,” he said. Yoga emphasized the significance of the legal status of a business.

“To maintain quality tourism, safety, security, certainty and peace are the four aspects that must be adhered to. All can only be fulfilled if the businesses are legal. Legal status ensures the business owners’ sense of responsibility,” he said, adding, “I believe tourists will be willing to pay more for such a sense of security and safety.” PHRI Bali chairman Tjok Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati acknowledged that a number of robberies and murders had also occurred in unlicensed villas and motels. “Such cases sometimes occur in secluded villas and motels without adequate security measures. I really hope that the administration will be stricter on illegal premises,” said Sukawati, better known as Tjok Ace, who currently is also the regent of Gianyar regency.

source : bali daily