Postcards of a diluting culture
Arriving in Indonesia is no longer just about discovering a destination, but facing a landscape marked by the footprint of mass tourism. What was once a place of identity and cultural wealth has become a territory where local essence is diluted under the weight of foreign investment and the desire to please visitors.
In this land, the importance of nature has faded in the face of the allure of money coming from abroad. Postcard tourism has turned the most beautiful corners into mere settings for the perfect Instagram photo, while authenticity and the magic of the environment are lost in consumerism and the pursuit of instant gratification.
Ancient streets brimming with history become mere walkways for tourists, where local culture is reduced to souvenirs and performances prepared for fleeting entertainment. Paradise beaches are filled with waste, and pollution becomes an indelible mark on the landscape.
As mass tourism continues to gain ground, it is crucial to pause and reflect on the impact of our actions as travelers. We must seek a more conscious and sustainable tourism, one that respects and preserves culture, nature, and local identity.
In Indonesia, as in any other place, true wealth is not found in the photos we take, but in the experiences we live and the respect we show for the places we visit. It's time to change the narrative of tourism and rediscover the authenticity lost in our quest to capture the exotic in a picture.
I had the feeling that I was 30 years late, and perhaps the same feeling applies to most tourist destinations.
