(TAN): A proposed alcohol ban in the popular Indonesian island of Bali could discourage tourists and hinder recovery of its pandemic-hit tourism.
Situated to the east of the Indonesian capital Jakarta and north of Australia, Bali is one of the most visited destinations in Southeast Asia. Famous for its diverse landscapes, which includes lush rainforests, volcanic mountains and picturesque beaches, it’s a liberal, tropical paradise within the more Islamic-fundamentalist country of Indonesia.
However, recent discussions about banning the sale of alcohol on the island could severely affect its tourism industry. The idea of the ban is not a new one in Indonesia. In 2015, they banned the sale of alcohol in small mom and pop-type stores. The city of Aceh has completely prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol following its move to embrace sharia law, the Islamic legal code.
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Earlier calls to ban alcohol in the country had exempted the Hindu-majority Bali, reports said. In order to effectively implement the ban, strong punishments have been set for would-be offenders. Consumption of alcohol could bring about a fine of IDR 50 million (USD 3,500) and a three-year prison sentence, whilst anyone found guilty of producing alcohol could face a fine of IDR 1 billion (USD 71,000) and 10 years behind bars.
The tourism sector accounts for 80% of Bali’s revenue sources. Consequently the province remains the worst-affected of Indonesia’s 34 provinces due to the pandemic. Last year Bali’s tourism was on the rise when the island saw a 3.37% rise in foreign tourists to its shores. However the travel restrictions imposed due to the pandemic have caused a drop in tourism by 95%. Though the airport remains open for domestic travellers, international tourists are still banned.
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Under the present circumstances, the country is thought to be looking to the future holidaymakers to revive its battered economy. The ban on alcohol is likely to have an overwhelmingly negative effect on their numbers.
Officials from Bali have made it clear they are not in support of the restrictions. “We are a unitary state built on diversity, and the potential economic impact involved is unacceptable,” reports quoted A.A. Ngurah Adi Ardhana, chairman of Bali’s regional legislative council, as saying.
