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Tourists Flock to Bali to Enjoy Sounds of Silence
Made Arya Kencana | March 14, 2010

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Denpasar. The Hindu day of silence has provided a boost to Bali’s tourism industry, with hotels reporting swollen occupancy rates as Indonesians and foreigners flock to the resort island to see it in repose.

Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, head of Bali’s tourism board and owner of the Segara Village Hotel in Sanur, said on Sunday that the hotel was 70 percent full for Nyepi, the local name for the holy day. The observance begins at 6 a.m. on Tuesday and ends at the same time on Wednesday.

He said the majority of guests were Europeans, although he noted that occupancy rates were still below high season.

“Most of the tourists who come are those who have never been to Bali, or those who have been here before but never visited during Nyepi,” he said, adding that Nyepi packages offered by the hotels could be one of the factors that attracted tourists.

During observance of Nyepi, which demands no artificial light, no activity, no traveling and no entertainment, tourists are advised not to leave their accommodations.

Tasya Aluia, spokeswoman for the Holiday Inn Kuta, said it had promoted Nyepi packages in advance and was at 60 percent occupancy for its 195 rooms.

Dutch tourist Frans van Dijk said he has been to Bali three times but never during Nyepi.

“We want to see for ourselves how Bali can become so quiet,” said van Dijk, who traveled to the island with his wife and was staying in Sanur.

Meanwhile, large numbers of non-Balinese residents and workers opted to leave the island by ferries to Java.

“The number of passengers has been increasing since Saturday and we have anticipated it by providing 127 ferries,” said the Gilimanuk port’s operations manager, Ospar Silaban.

On the island, the Balinese are preparing a range of activities to welcome the holiday, which also marks the Saka New Year 1932 on the Hindu calendar.

On Monday, thousands will flock to Puputan Square in Denpasar to be sprinkled with holy water in the cleansing ritual of Tawur Agung Kesanga. That evening, cities across the island will host Ngrupuk parades, in which huge, demonic figures known as ogoh ogoh are meant to bewilder evil spirits.

During the holy day, all access to Bali, except in case of emergency, will be closed for 24 hours including seaports and airports.