Bali Maturing As a Tourist Destination

Although Bali has always been a stopping point for outsiders for many centuries, it was not until the 1980s that the infrastructure was in place to enable mass tourism to the island. Bali has gone through many upheavals throughout history such as conflicts between the Balinese themselves, attempted subjugation by the reigning Javanese powers and Dutch colonization. Additionally, Bali underwent Japanese occupation during World War 2, the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963 and terrorist attacks in 2002 and 2005. Indonesian independence in the 1960's has brought a semblance of peace and prosperity in the island and has laid the framework for a stable and prosperous Bali that enabled the island province to emerge as a premier world holiday destination.

The first tourist oriented hotel in Bali, aptly named The Bali Hotel, opened in 1926 in the modern capital of Denpasar. The 1930's saw a gradual increase in the number of hotels opening in South Bali, mainly operated by Europeans until Japanese occupation during World War 2 put a hold on things. The 1960's brought an increase in popularity of Sanur in Bali's South East coast with Australian tourists, while the 70's saw an empty stretch of mangroves and white sand beaches on the tip of a peninsula in south Bali gradually transform in to a string of 20 luxury resorts known as Nusa Dua. Kuta, located near Bali's only international airport also emerged as mecca for surfers from Australia and the rest of the world.

The ever increasing influx of tourists from the 1980's onwards have played a major role in improving the standards of living for the local Balinese and has brought in much needed foreign currency to the island. Paradoxically, tourism has not destroyed Bali's unique culture, religion and strong sense of tradition, but rather reinforced them as an integral part of Balinese identity. The immense growth in the Tourism has its drawbacks, however. Many consider the development of non-stop property and construction in the south of 'island unsustainable and damaging to the environment. Bali Bali is seen announcement by the North Bali' response to the increasingly 's overcrowded south, and the recent second airport Bali International knows the North to be built, the government is seen as an important step by moving a part of tourist traffic unlessDeveloped North.

Already a popular destination for many visitors to the south to avoid the tourist traps north of Bali's many attractions in its own right. One of the main attractions in North Bali, Lovina Beach has a large number of excellent hotels and facilities and is also home to Lovina Beach Resort, the area only five-star luxury beach hotel real estate investments.