Bali authorities vow to take action against ‘disrespectful’ tourists at Hindu temples

Authorities have criticised the “quality of tourists” arriving to the Indonesian island in recent years, with concerns over a rise in disrespectful behaviour.

Many bikini-clad tourists were pictured posing in front of Hindu places of worship, posting their holiday photos across various social media websites.

Tourists may soon be banned from visiting temples unattended, officials warn.

Bali deputy governor, Cok Ace aired his concerns during regional council meeting last week, insisting the government take action against a rise in offensive behaviour from tourists.

He told the Guardian: “This is the government’s attempt to maintain the Pura.

“The temples need to be reserved since they are the spirits of Bali’s cultures and customs.”

Cok Ace blamed the rise in tourism for bringing a negative impact to the island.

In 2017, more than five million tourists visited Bali, making the island of Southeast Asia’s most popular holiday hotspots.

He added: “We are too open with tourists – so to many come – and the quality of toursits is now different from before.”

The deputy governor declared new measures will be taken to prevent tourists from visiting temples unattended.

Blasphemy is illegal in Bali, and tourists who pose disrespectfully infront of places of worship can face punishment.

Last month, a photo of a Danish tourist sitting on Linggih Padmasana shrine at Puhur Luhur Batukaru temple triggered national outrage.

The shrine, which represents the supreme god in Balinese Hinduism, enraged Bali locals who deemed his act as highly offensive and disrespectful to their faith.

In 2016, a woman was pictured performing a downward dog yoga pose in front of a Balinese temple, infuriating Balinese locals.

Australian expat and Bali resident Rachel Bergma told news.come.au: “It is not new to Bali to see girls dressed inappropriately. It has been a problem with Europeans for a while now.

“What is new is the latest fashion that young people wear. The shorts that show actual bum cheek and the crop tops.”

Many countries around the world hold certain laws prohibiting tourists from dressing indecently.

In Abu Dhabi, tourists are advised to wear skirts, pants or trousers that are knee-length or longer, and to refrain from exposing too much skin when they are not at the beach.

Source : Express UK