JAKARTA - Indonesia’s new Tourism and Creative Economy Minister, Wishnutama Kusubandio has played down reports that the government plans on making changes to encourage more Muslim tourists to visit Bali.
An Indonesian media outlet reported that the new minister was keen to establish places of worship for Muslims in parts of Indonesia that were not predominantly Muslim, such a Bali and Lake Toba.
Bali Governor I Wayan Koster was among those who shot down the suggestion.
“If Bali were to be attached with taglines, such as halal tourism or Muslim-friendly tourism, then I will firmly reject it. It must not be so. Let Bali grow on its own, according to its culture,” the governor said.
The new tourism minister subsequently said the media outlet had misreported what he said and stressed that he is committed to tolerance and diversity.