2009 Bali, Indonesia

The Bali Convention offered unparalleled opportunities for delegates and individual guides to exchange views and information. Country representatives formed small or regional groups to address their own needs, and to give advice and solutions to the problems they encountered. Individual tourist guides learned new skills that may not be offered in their home countries and made new friends and contacts. Lectures and workshops on a wide variety of subjects gave all participants a clearer view of the guiding profession and how to develop beyond it.

About the host destination

Bali, a province of the archipelago with a population of 3 million, a large part of which follows the Hindu religion, places great value on the uniqueness of its culture. Since the beginning of history, when other islands became destinations for economic reasons, Bali was a destination for spiritual quests. Its tropical flora and fauna provide the most beautiful scenery and have inspired its people to care for their natural resources. The harmonious relationship between nature, culture and human activity has made Bali a very special place that attracts artists, cultural observers and travellers from many countries.

When Bali came into contact with the wider world, especially the Netherlands, the island became renowned among connoisseurs of eastern culture. In the mid-1960s, when the Bali Beach Hotel opened, tourism boomed and Bali became a key resort, not only in Indonesia but throughout Asia. With economic growth, ritual life and local culture became even more significant: tourism and culture are closely tied, making Bali a place of endless wonder.

Throughout its history Bali has absorbed foreign influences, which could weaken its own culture if not met with determination. Together, the people of Bali work to sustain the values of their history and culture while keeping up with progress, in order to protect its taksu (spiritual charisma). Bali became the final crystallisation of Java’s ancient Majapahit culture; the integration of local traditions with Javanese Majapahit culture gave birth to the Hindu culture of Bali, often called Nusa ning Nusa, “the island amongst a thousand islands”. Bali is inspiration.