Digital Narratives: Representations of Bali in Virtual Tourist Communities
Abstract
The digital narratives within virtual tourist communities on Bali highlight the island’s rich cultural heritage through diverse themes and discussions. Platforms like TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Reddit play a significant role in shaping perceptions, providing a space where travelers share experiences and insights. Key themes include romanticized portrayals, spirituality, cultural exchange, and ethical considerations, collectively shaping a nuanced digital portrayal of Bali. This analysis was carried out using qualitative methods to explore these narratives and uncover underlying motivations, sentiments, and cultural insights shared within the communities. Ultimately, these discussions encourage responsible tourism and promote Bali’s unique cultural values on a global scale. The significance of this research lies in demonstrating how digital spaces can foster meaningful connections between global audiences and local cultures. By promoting environmental and cultural awareness, these virtual communities help preserve Bali’s identity and heritage in the face of increasing mass tourism.
Downloads
References
Ayeh, J. K. (2015). Travellers’ acceptance of consumer-generated media: An integrated model of technology acceptance and source credibility theories. Computers in Human Behavior, 48, 173–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.12.049
Ayeh, J. K., Au, N., & Law, R. (2013). Predicting the intention to use consumer-generated media for travel planning. Tourism Management, 35(April), 132–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2012.06.010
Bassano, C., Barile, S., Piciocchi, P., Spohrer, J. C., Iandolo, F., & Fisk, R. (2019). Storytelling about places: Tourism marketing in the digital age. Cities, 87(December 2018), 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2018.12.025
Bestari, N. M. P., Suryawan Wiranatha, A., Oka Suryawardani, I. G. A., & Darma Putra, I. N. (2022). Rejuvenating Cultural Tourism Through Gastronomic Creative Tourism in Ubud Bali. Mudra Jurnal Seni Budaya, 37(2), 136–145. https://doi.org/10.31091/mudra.v37i2.1938
Binder, D., Lukas, C., & Zoltán. (2017). The impact of user-generated content on Facebook on travel destination choices: A comparison of Austrian tourism students and non-tourism students. Forum on Economics and Business, 20(131), 56–77. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/2117080643?accountid=14744%0Ahttps://cbua-us.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/openurl?institution=34CBUA_US&vid=34CBUA_US:VU1&lang=es?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&genre=article&sid=ProQ:
Chang, H. H. (2022). Virtual reality, YouTube, or social media? Assessing promotional effects on tourism destination. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 28(2), 211-227. https://doi.org/10.1177/13567667211038960
Chung, J. Y., & Buhalis, D. (2009). Information Needs in Online Social Networks. Information Technology & Tourism, 10(4), 267–281. https://doi.org/10.3727/109830508788403123
Chung, N., & Han, H. (2017). The relationship among tourists’ persuasion, attachment and behavioral changes in social media. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 123, 370–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2016.09.005
Dewi, N. I. K., Gede, I. G. K., Kencanawati, A. A. A. M., & Mataram, I. G. A. B. (2021). Social Media Usage by Generation Z in Pre-trip Planning. Proceedings of the International Conference on Applied Science and Technology on Social Science (ICAST-SS 2020), 544, 190–195. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210424.036
Dini Andiani, N., Arismayanti, N. K., Anwar Sani, F. E., & Wiarti, L. Y. (2022). Wisata Virtual: Keterlibatan Masyarakat Bali Aga dalam Promosi Pariwisata Virtual di Masa Pandemi Covid-19 di Bali Utara. Jurnal Kajian Bali (Journal of Bali Studies), 12(2), 426. https://doi.org/10.24843/jkb.2022.v12.i02.p06
Ghorbani, M., & Azarnejad, N. (2013). An Introduction to Narrative Drift. Wandering Women in French Film and Literature, 2(6), 15–22. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137339997.0004
Jing, H., & Su, X. (2024). Digital Storytelling and its Impact on Cultural Tourism: A Study on Visitor Purchase Intentions. Evolutionary Studies in Imaginative Culture, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.70082/esic/8.1.10
Kumar, M., & Chauhan, S. (2021). Tourism Digital Marketing Tools and Views on Future Trends: A Systematic Review of Literature. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 10(2), 712–726. https://doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720-128
Laksana, I. K. D. (2016). To the Maintenance of Balinese Culture I Ketut Darma Laksana. International Journal of Linguistics, Language and Culture (IJLLC) Journal Homepage, 2(2), 2455–8028. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.3423695
Matloka, J., & Buhalis, D. (2010). Destination Marketing through User Personalised Content (UPC). Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2010, 519–530. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-99407-8_43
Munar, A. M., Gyimothy, S., & Cai, L. (2014). Tourism social media: transformations in identity, community, and culture. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 12(1), 88–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766825.2013.873385
Nur’afifah, O., & Prihantoro, E. (2021). The Influence of Social Media on Millennial Generation about Travel Decision-Making. Jurnal The Messenger, 13(3), 238. https://doi.org/10.26623/themessenger.v13i3.2328
Pratistita, N. W. I., Ayomi, P. N., Maharani, P. D., & Tustiawati, I. A. M. (2022). Journal of arts and humanities. Journal of Arts and Humanities, 26(4), 7. Retrieved from http://theartsjournal.org/index.php/site/article/view/478/270
Rahjasa, S. L., Prasasti, G., & Apriliani, K. M. (2024). How Travel Influencer and Social Media Influence Tourist Travel Decision to Ubud. TRJ Tourism Research Journal, 8(1), 127. https://doi.org/10.30647/trj.v8i1.243
Singgalen, Y. A. (2024). Exploring the Digital Narratives in Tourism and Culture through The Case of Rambu Solo : Sentiment , Toxicity , and Content Analysis, 6(3), 1900–1930. https://doi.org/10.51519/journalisi.v6i3.836
Sulistyanto, A., Mujab, S., & Harahap, H. (2022). Memorable cultural tourism experience: blogger narrative analysis. Jurnal Pariwisata Pesona, 7(1), 104–119. https://doi.org/10.26905/jpp.v7i1.6387
Varga, I. E., & Gabor, M. R. (2021). The Influence of Social Networks in Travel Decisions. ECONOMICS - Innovative and Economics Research Journal, 9(2), 35–48. https://doi.org/10.2478/eoik-2021-0015
Vickers, A. (2012). Bali: A paradise created. Periplus Editions.
Yuan, Y., Chan, C. S., Eichelberger, S., Ma, H., & Pikkemaat, B. (2022). The effect of social media on travel planning process by Chinese tourists: the way forward to tourism futures. Journal of Tourism Futures, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1108/JTF-04-2021-0094