Lovina up in North Bali is a popular stop on the tourist trail for its famed dolphin-watching boat rides, but fishermen say it’s been super quiet lately.
Some even say the amount of tourists has now dropped by 70 percent, according to Kompas (though reports didn’t specify what period exactly this supposed drop is measuring).
“The turnover has dropped dramatically, sometimes in one day there will only be four guests going out, paying a rate of Rp 100,000 for one person,” Chairman of the Lovina Tourism Fishermen’s Group Putu Budista told Kompas on Monday.
Budista says the decline in tourists coming up is not just experienced in Lovina alone, but throughout Bulelelng regency. The slow tourism has resulted in a number of boat operators switching industries.
“In fact, many are complaining and forced to work in other sectors while awaiting for more visitors, usually in mid-year,” Budista explained.
But at least he understands the cyclical nature of the industry!
Apparently peak season is in June through August, where Europeans and Chinese make up the most visitors, along with domestic tourists who come during school holidays.
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