In Kuta, there is a Water Bom Theme Park catered specially to foreign tourists. It is a popular theme park amongst tourists and it has shown substantial evidence of Disneyization.
It is easy to say that with the introduction of globalisation, Bali wishes to show the world a homogeneous product and attract more tourists from western countries with this theme park. The 'original' Bali consists of many natural habitats and this theme park is completely man-made on 3.5 hectares of land.
HYBRID CONSUMPTION
Peope travel to Bali for many different reasons. They can travel to Bali to explore its cultural tourism, spa tourism or recreational tourism. The issue about hybrid consumption is many variables interconnecting with one another that leads to tourists staying longer and consuming its product more than they are supposed to.
For example, a cultural tourist might visit Bali because he wishes to explore the beaches in Kuta and relax there with his family. But because of the Water Bom Theme Park in Bali, he chooses to stay longer in Bali and visit the theme park. As Kuta is the most popular tourist destination in Bali, there are many kinds of attractions there varying from food and beverages, clubs, spa services to accommodations to the Water Bom Theme Park. Thus the idea of hybrid consumption is the more consumption items are fused together, the longer the person will stay in the venue in which they have been attracted to in the first place.
MERCHANDISING
Using the same example of the Water Bom Theme Park, there is a Pump house retail and cafe situated inside the theme park selling many different varieties of Water Bom Theme Park logos. It sells items such as swim wears, goggles and also cookies all with the logo of the theme park embedded on it. A visitor may purchase a magnet there with the magnificent slides of Water Bom instead of buying the magnet itself. The magnet thus becomes a form of commodification as well.
PERFORMATIVE LABOUR
As tourists patronize Bali, they will visit many kinds of shops from souvenir shops in Ubud to restaurants and theme park in Kuta. In these places, locals actually potray themselves happy and welcoming to the tourists and always show great hospitality to them. However, how they might be feeling on that day itself may not be potrayed. Thus, it is a form of giving a false impression to tourists about their emotions.
A good example to potray this will be the Universal Studios Singapore in Sentosa.
In Sentosa island alone, employees are made to always smile and wave to tourists whenever a monorail passes them by and also to maintain an upbeat work attitude during their work. In USS, employees are also very enthusiastic about the rides and attractionsThus Bali is similar to USS in certain aspects as locals do not display their true emotions with tourists around. Instead, they display emotions and actions that they are 'expected' to do so that tourists will return to their island or even shop/restaurant.
Another point is that in the beginning when tourism first started out, Bali has nothing more to offer other than its authentic culture and pristine environment, thus leading to the rise of cultural tourism. Balinese were made aware that in order for them to reap the harvest of tourism (monetary gains), they have to behave as courteous and be respectful hosts. they had to promote a holistic and pleasant atmosphere in order to entice tourists to extend their stay in Bali or even return for a second visit. As tourists visit Bali to seek the authentic cultures of Bali, they are presented with what they expected, but is what Bali has purposely created for them to see. Visitors are invited to view what is 'Authentically Bali' such as festivals and events of all sorts.
