Local Wisdom, Global Impact: Integrating Perarem for Sustainable Tourism in Bali Province, Indonesia

Adi Saputra (Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali Province, Indonesia)

Public Health and Preventive Medicine Archive
Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025)

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the ongoing global transformation, reshaping tourism, and highlighting the indispensable link between travel and public health 1. Highly mobile travellers can carry infectious diseases across borders, turning local vulnerabilities into worldwide risks2,3. Failure to embed robust public health systems into the heart of the tourism sector potentially creates socioeconomic instability rather than sustainable recovery and growth4. Driven by these heightened risks, modern travellers no longer choose destinations solely for their breathtaking scenery or rich culture—they expect robust health and safety infrastructure as part of the package5. Yet, despite growing emphasis on health-conscious travel, a serious disconnect persists on the ground. In destinations like Indonesia, particularly Bali, the public health and tourism sectors continue to operate in silos. This lack of integration creates a critical blind spot for two-way disease transmission. A truly sustainable framework must work both ways: shielding local communities from imported pathogens while simultaneously protecting visiting tourists from endemic health risk.