Abandoned sites like Taman Festival Bali in Padanggalak Beach Sanur has been drawing millennial visitors seeking adventure and unique selfie opportunity. A group of students from Universitas Dhyana Pura (Undhira) has been conducting research on the tourism potential of the abandoned amusement park. This project is a part of Student Creativity Program (PKM) receiving a grant from the Indonesian Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education.
The research found that the main appeals of the ruins of Taman Festival Bali include the decaying buildings, the mystique of its surroundings, the graffiti on the walls of the remaining buildings, accessible location near touristy area, and the opportunity for self-interpretation of the experience. Visitors, both foreign and domestic, noted that the authenticity and perceived risk involved in visiting such places are contributing factors of their curiosity to visit.
Foreign and local visitors differ, however, in how they experience the site. For foreign visitors, the visual aspect and the ‘coolness’ of exploring such abandoned ruins are the main draw. For locals, the opportunity to test their bravery creates an additional adrenaline rush that motivates them to experience the abandoned site of Taman Festival Bali.
Bali has several abandoned ruins in which tourists can explore and see up-close the ‘dark’ beauty of such sites. While these sites certainly appeal to a niche market, but Undhira students’ research finds that they can be further develop. “What’s important is to keep the authenticity and sense of exclusivity, because visitors come to see and then share in their social media that they’ve been to a place that’s truly unique and instagrammable,” said Estri Cinta as the leader of the student research team.
If you are curious about the abandoned amusement park site of Taman Festival Bali, you can head to Padanggalak Beach in Sanur, just 15 minutes east of Denpasar city centre. The entry fee is only Rp 10.000. Don’t forget to bring some mosquito repellent.
