Cultural Landscape and Ecotourism in Bali Island, Indonesia

This paper describes the role of ethnoecology in supporting tourism. We conducted a case studyon the island of Bali (Indonesia), the famous tourism destination. We review the culture, nature and ecotourismprospects of Bali and then extend our discussion to examine the role of indigenous philosophies in building thedestination’s image. Bali has a rich culture and natural resources that have been utilized and managed throughan indigenous philosophy called Tri Hita Karana. Ethnoecology is widely applied and appreciated in the societyand has produced Balinese cultural landscapes that have become significant tourism attractions. There has beena recent increase in tourist desire to explore genuine Balinese culture, so ethnoecology has a significant rolein the quest to preserve and conserve such indigenous cultural landscapes. Ethnoecology is a key to ensuringand sustaining the images and authenticity of Bali Island. In this paper, we considered the landscape of ricepaddies as a cultural landscape and resource for tourism. The structure and function of paddy terrace landscapesis based on the ethnoecology of Tri Hita Karana; therefore, in order to understand nature and ecotourism in BaliIsland, knowledge of indigenous philosophy is indispensable. Cultural landscapes that link human and naturalsystems are not only places of natural beauty but also provide background information about the history ofhuman adaptations to nature.