The impact of orphanage tourism on Bali

Abstract

This article deals with the phenomenon of orphanage tourism in Bali, Indonesia. Context is given based on a recent published report by the Dutch government on the impact of orphanage tourism. Findings are derived from larger-scale qualitative research based on child welfare institutions in Bali, Indonesia (50 children, 16 familial caregivers) between 2015 and 2020. Two axial codes (forced attendance and suspicion) of this research are used in this article. Deductions are based on recent literature, prior research and findings. The conclusion of this article is that children in Bali should not be institutionalised for the sake of poverty or education and that a continuous flow of tourists visiting and donating to child welfare institutions means that children have become commodities for such institutions, causing a plethora of problems for children living in these institutions.

Keywords: Bali, impact, orphanage tourism, right to education, underprivileged children