Tourism observer evaluates the concept of spiritual tourism which is promoted by the Government of Karangasem Regency has been defeated by Ubud, Gianyar Regency.
“The spiritual tourism is not new stuff. If the government of Karangasem regency still promote that stuff, it is defeated by Ubud which is applied this spiritual tourism since 20 years ago,” said Ida Bagus Sudibya, the observer and also the practitioner of tourism in Bali, in Candidasa, Karangasem.

In front of the participant of tourism spiritual seminar in Rama Ocean Hotel, Candidasa, he stated if it is not a mistake if Karangasem started to do it. “The important thing is we have to struggle on it. The government of Karangasem need to do any development simultaneously to make this spiritual tourism concept different with the other region in Dewata island,” he said.
The observer of Balinese culture named Prof. Dr. I Made Titib mentioned if spiritual tourism related with meditation or pilgrimage. “In Hindu tradition, spiritual tourism often called Tirta Yatra,” he said.

Prof Titib confessed if the spiritual tourism concept has been done by Gianyar government.
Even the Tourism Office in Gianyar fixed at least 5 tourism spiritual object areas.
The spiritual tourism spiritual object that have been planned by Gianyar Regency on 2006 in Tirta Empul Pura, they are Tirta Empul Pura, Goa Gajah Pura, Kawi Sebatu Pura, Pengukur-ukuran Pura, Masceti Pura, Medahan Pura, and Keramas Pura.

He said if the promotion of spiritual tourism has been done through travel agent whether domestic and also the foreign ones, include the local people.
“The planned spiritual tourism is not aimed to exploit the pura for tourism importance but to understand the meaning inside the spiritual journey,” he said.

If we want to build spiritual tourism, it is also need the support from local people. In addition it had to reserve some facilities like parking yard and the others.
Prof. Titib said if the preparation of the concept of spiritual tourism need long time. “It is needed long time to prepare, we have to think which object deserved to be spiritual tourism location.”

The other speaker of the seminar are Prof I Made Madiun as the Head of STP, Prof IB Gunada UNHI as the Head of Bachelor Degree of UNHI, and I Gede Prama, the tourism practician.

News by Bali antara