Busses, bulldozers and rice paddies. The influence of cultural tourism on Balinese traditions and perceptions on authenticity

Abstract

This thesis is about cultural tourism, intercultural communication and perceptions on authenticity, based on fieldwork in Jukut Paku and Ubud in Bali, Indonesia. This thesis aims to contribute to the theoretical as well as the social debate within the anthropology of tourism, and covers cultural tourism through concepts like authenticity and intercultural communication. In the end it can be said that today’s everyday life in touristic Ubud and more traditional Jukut Paku is influences by cultural tourism, which has negative and positive influences on Balinese traditions and shapes perceptions of authenticity for Balinese people and cultural tourists. The cultural tourists’ quest for authenticity will not be completed, unless the cultural tourist has a Balinese friend or relative who brings the tourist to Balinese everyday life that takes place in the back regions. It might look sometimes that tourists get a glimpse or more of Bali’s every day ‘authentic’ life, but most of this is staged, especially within touristic Ubud. In a traditional village as Jukut Paku, more traditional life can be seen. But most of this traditional life stays behind the candi bentar, the split gate: the entrance to a family compound and temple. Besides, there are positive and negative influences on Balinese traditions and today’s everyday life.