Indonesia has passed a controversial new criminal code banning cohabitation and sex outside of marriage. These laws, which apply to both locals and tourists, are stirring fears of a major hit to the tourism sector. Industry experts and rights groups are raising red flags.
Parliament passed the legislation this week, signaling a shift toward religious conservatism in the largely Muslim country. But it clashes with the more laid-back social norms in Bali, the popular tourist magnet with its Hindu majority, which has long been a draw for Western visitors.
Putu Winastra, who leads the Association of The Indonesian Tours And Travel Agencies (ASITA), is sounding the alarm. He argues that the laws could scare off tourists and tarnish Indonesia's global image, potentially slashing vital tourism revenues. "This law will be very counterproductive for the tourism industry in Bali, " Winastra warned.
Under the new code, anyone caught committing adultery or engaging in premarital relations could face up to a year behind bars. However, it's unclear how strictly these laws will be enforced, leaving the tourism sector in limbo. Winastra wonders if tourists will need to prove they're married, a concern shared by many in the industry.
Indonesia's tourism, especially in Bali, took a massive hit during the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of foreign visitors nosedived from over 500,000 each month to just 45 for all of 2021. As the pandemic fades, there was hope for a strong rebound, with predictions of a 10% annual growth in the travel sector over the next decade.
Earlier this year, the World Travel & Tourism Council estimated that Indonesia's tourism could pump nearly $118 billion into the economy and generate over 500,000 jobs annually. Local guide Ken Katut noted that the recent G20 summit in Bali had breathed new life into the industry, with hotels bustling and tourism activities picking up.
But now, the new laws could put the brakes on this recovery. Rights groups are worried about selective enforcement, especially against women and the LGBTQ+ community. Hotel operators are also raising concerns, questioning the feasibility of verifying guests' marital status.
Ida Bagus Purwa Sidemen, Executive Director of the Indonesian Hotel & Restaurant Association (PHRI), criticized the laws, suggesting the government might rethink them if public backlash grows. "We just can’t be asking every couple about their legal marital statuses. It will create huge problems for us, " Sidemen stated.
Despite the uproar, Indonesian lawmakers are standing by the new code, saying it reflects "public aspiration" in a diverse country. Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly acknowledged the difficulty in crafting a criminal code that balances the interests of a multicultural and multi-ethnic nation.
The tourism sector now faces an uncertain future as it wrestles with the potential fallout from these laws. Stakeholders fear the regulations could undo the progress made in reviving tourism post-pandemic. "The government can’t be wanting tourist revenue and at the same time enforcing these laws that will scare people away, " Sidemen emphasized.
