During my visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali, I was struck by the behavior of many tourists. First of all, it is important for me to distinguish between travelers and tourists.
Travelers and tourists are often recognized by the way they approach the world. Tourists usually stay in resorts or large hotels. Travelers tend to stay in hostels, guesthouses, or travel more independently. Tourists travel to escape their country and routine. Travelers travel to experience different cultures, broaden their horizon, and understand the world.
While tourists often escape their reality, travelers try to learn from the realities of other cultures.
My frustration began when I saw how some tourists behaved in the Sacred Monkey Forest.
My opinion might be strongly shaped by my own beliefs and values, still, the behavior I witnessed left me confused and disappointed. Many tourists seemed to treat the place as if it were simply a theme park or entertainment venue. But the Monkey Forest is not just a tourist attraction. It is a sacred place embedded in Balinese spiritual culture. In Balinese culture, respect for sacred places is deeply important. On the signs inside the park it is written that visitors should cover their shoulders and knees. Apparently, many tourists already struggle with this small sign of respect. From what I observed, at least a large portion of visitors ignored these guidelines completely. And yes the dresscode is not mandatory and more a recommendation, only when you want to enter the temples in the monkey forest you have to wear a sarong or sash. So when walking through the forest you have the choice to be respectful or not.
Tourism is important for countries like Indonesia. It creates jobs and generates income for local communities. But at what cost?
When culture becomes something that is packaged and sold, something important can be lost. Cultural heritage can slowly become commercialized and shaped to please visitors. As a guest in another country, I believe we have a responsibility to be respectful and conscious.
While visiting Gili Air I saw a poster that told a little story. It was a short comic on the history of the island. It also contained the present and future, how the choices made by the visitors of the island shape it. Either Gili Air becomes a touristic attraction with hotels and streets or it stays the little paradise with horse carts and hostels.
This is where I see the biggest difference between travelers and tourists. Travelers are curious, they observe, they try to understand.
Tourists often feel entitled to behave however they want. Instead of truly experiencing a place, they consume it. Instead of engaging with the moment, many experience everything through a screen.
To name one example, I watched people photographing monkeys constantly.
They looked at the animals through their phone screens rather than with their own eyes.
This does not mean that we should never take photos. Take a few pictures. Capture the moment. But then put the phone away. Experience the moment for yourself. Do it for your own memory, not for social media.
I found myself disappointed by the behavior of some visitors. Many seemed to be chasing a kind of staged fantasy experience. They move from resort to resort, from attraction to attraction. Meanwhile the real life of the place passes them by. Travel can be something transformative. But only if we approach the world with humility, curiosity, and respect.
After reading this text, you the reader can probably guess what I identify with. I wrote this short article one, as a valve to vent my frustration, second in the hope to reach and touch people. It is my belief that through sharing stories we can change the world for the better.
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