Backlash as Bali cracks down on antisocial tourists

Luiza Kosykh claims she didn't know the 700-year-old tree she posed naked in front of was sacred

- Tamara Davison

However, the viral shot captured by the Russian national in Bali was enough to infuriate the local community and resulted in her swift arrest and deportation.

The case is one of a growing number of incidents involving unruly visitors, as tensions between foreign influencers and locals on the Indonesian island reach boiling point.

Once known as a laid-back surfer's paradise, Bali has become a popular backdrop for "content creators" looking to promote their picture-perfect lifestyles. The streets of towns such as Canggu and Ubud are lined with aesthetically pleasing cafes and bohemian clothes stores seen as perfect settings for attracting Instagram and TikTok likes.

According to the province's bureau of statistics, the number of foreign visitors entering Bali jumped to more than 300,000 every month at the start of 2023. The numbers were dominated by Australian nationals, and Indian and Russian tourists.

A byproduct of the uptick in tourism has been more traffic, construction and pollution. These shifting dynamics, combined with a perceived lack of respect for Balinese Hindu culture and beliefs shown by some influencers, have prompted the community to take action.