CNN
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Influencers who pose naked on top of sacred mountains. Reckless tourists who ride motorbikes around the island without helmets performing daredevil stunts.
When it comes to misbehaving tourists in Bali, Niluh Djelantik has seen and heard it all.
These are just a few “hugely unacceptable but too common forms of behavior,” says Djelantik, a local entrepreneur who has, in recent years, become the go-to person foreign tourists and travelers call upon when they run into trouble with the authorities.
“There is no shortage of bad tourists in Bali – I’m losing count, to be honest,” she told CNN Travel. “Three years of the pandemic have left us dealing with many disrespectful foreigners – I’ve even heard of people visiting temples and washing their private parts with holy water,” she added.
“Things can get that outrageous.”
Djelantik, 48, was born and raised in Bali. Like many other Balinese, she has been passionate about promoting and supporting ethical tourism on Indonesia’s most popular island.
But with the return of international travelers after years of pandemic restrictions, reports of trashy tourist behavior have been on the rise.
Djelantik worked at top notch marketing firms in Jakarta and Bali, often alongside foreign expats and despite not having a legal background, it’s her mix of excellent language skills and contacts on the ground, combined with her international work experience that has led Djelantik to develop a reputation as an unofficial peacekeeper for the island.
However, there’s one area where she doesn’t stay neutral. “I’ve seen and heard some being impolite to Indonesian workers and I wouldn’t hesitate to speak up,” she said.
She has also expressed political ambitions and announced plans to run for Bali senator, a national parliamentary seat, next year.
Djelantik has mediated between misbehaving foreigners in Bali and the locals they annoy for years. She says she does this in an unofficial capacity and for free. She often receives “reports” from users on Instagram who flag posts about misbehaving foreigners.
“People like coming to me for help rather than going to the authorities because they know I will always respond…
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