BaliSpirit Festival 2024 Brings Thousands of Tourists

BaliSpirit Festival 2024 brings together almost 2,000 tourists. Around 90 percent of them are foreign nationals.

ARSIP BALISPIRIT FESTIVAL

A group of participants of the 2024 BaliSpirit Festival performed yoga together in Ubud, Bali, on Thursday (2/5/2024). The BaliSpirit Festival 2024 was held on May 1-5, 2024 and attracted almost 2,000 participants from various countries such as Romania, the United States, Switzerland, Thailand, China, and South Korea. There were over 150 workshops during the festival, including yoga, meditation, healing, and self-development workshops. There were also music and art performances.

GIANYAR, KOMPAS — Nearly 2,000 tourists from abroad and within the country came to Ubud, Bali, to take part in the international yoga festival, BaliSpirit Festival 2024. The economic benefits derived from their arrival are estimated at millions of dollars US.

BaliSpirit Festival (BSF) 2024 will take place on 1-5 May 2024 in Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali. This is the 15th festival since it was first held in 2008. Co-founder BaliSpirit Festival I Made Gunarta said, this is the first international festival to be held in Bali since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gunarta added that around 2,000 people have purchased tickets for BSF 2024. Festival participants come from various countries, such as the United States, Hungary, Thailand, China, South Korea, Switzerland, and India. Festival organizers noted that every year there are thousands of participants from an average of 60 countries.

"When they come here, they also spend money on taxis, hotels, food, and even spas. According to our records, festival participants have contributed to the economy up to 10 million US dollars over the past five years," Gunarta said in Ubud on Saturday (4/5/2024).

KOMPAS/SEKAR GANDHAWANGI

The atmosphere of the BaliSpirit Festival (BSF) 2024 press conference in Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali, on Saturday (May 4, 2024). BSF 2024 is an international yoga festival that has been held since 2008. In its 15th year, BSF held over 150 workshops on yoga, meditation, healing, and self-development. Almost 2,000 domestic and foreign tourists attended the festival.

He added that BSF was originally created to revive Bali tourism which had dimmed after the 2002 Bali bombing tragedy. Three bombs exploded on the island of Bali on October 12 2022. Two of them exploded on Jalan Legian, Kuta, while another one is near the United States Consulate office, Denpasar.

A total of 202 people have died and hundreds of others were injured. Of the number of fatalities, 164 people were foreign nationals and 38 were Indonesian citizens (Kompas.id, 13/10/2022).

Also read: 20 Years After the Bali Bombing Terror

This tragedy has had a negative impact on Bali's tourism sector. Quoting the Denpasar City Government's website, the number of foreign tourists dropped by up to 50 percent after the tragedy. This also has a negative impact on the economy as the community relies on the tourism sector.

BSF was created to invite foreign tourists who are interested in fitness (wellness). According to Gunarta, there must be another tourism niche for Bali to offer. Fitness tourism has also received a positive response from the international public.

KOMPAS/SEKAR GANDHAWANGI

A group of people participated in yoga nidra held during one session at the international yoga festival, BaliSpirit Festival (BSF), on Friday (3/5/2024) in Ubud, Bali. BSF this year was held from May 1-5, 2024, and attracted almost 2,000 participants from several countries, such as Romania, the United States, Switzerland, Thailand, China, and South Korea.

BSF 2024 provides more than 150 workshops on yoga, meditation, healing and self-development. This workshop is guided by instructors from within and outside the country. Apart from that, there are music and art performances at this festival. There are more than 250 musicians performing.

The festival also carries out programs for the community, such as providing HIV/AIDS education to tens of high schools in Bali. Similar education programs have been conducted in other areas such as Lombok, Flores, and Batam. A reforestation program, involving the planting of thousands of bamboo trees, is also being implemented.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, appreciates the BSF event. The concept of minimal waste advocated at this festival is also expected to serve as a reference for the future development of national tourism.

"Bali is still the number one choice for wellness tourism in the world," said Sandiaga when visiting BSF 2024, Friday (3/5/2024) evening.

According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) 2020 data, the economic value of the global fitness sector is USD 436 billion. It is estimated to reach USD 700 billion in 2023 with an average growth projection of 20 percent per year until 2025.

KOMPAS/SEKAR GANDHAWANGI

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, gave a speech at the BaliSpirit Festival 2024 on Friday (3/5/2024), in Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali.

Relieves stress

One of the yoga session performers at BSF 2024, Jordi Jules, said that there are various ways to cultivate one's fitness. Apart from yoga, he can study quantum flow and qi gong. Qi gong is a method for moving energy in the body, while quantum flow is combining different elements to cultivate the body.

"This is a practice that can deepen spirituality. "It can also relieve stress, anxiety, and to balance emotions, and find the meaning of well being," said Jules, who is from Spain.

Meanwhile, yoga practitioner from Scotland, Bex Tyler, recommends that beginners try gentle yoga. The movements in yoga are considered quite simple and can be followed by beginners.

Meanwhile, actor and yoga practitioner Anjasmara said that yoga helps to increase his consciousness. Both yoga and meditation also help him manage stress and think clearly.

Also read: Ubud is More Than Just ”Healing”