Operations Manager of DTW Jatiluwih, Ketut Purna, explained that the dance prepared to welcome 124 participants from various countries epitomized an offering to the Goddess Sri, who is a symbol of fertility for agricultural land, especially rice.
"The residents of Jatiluwih Village have been practicing this dance for two weeks," Purna revealed.
After enjoying the dance performance, the participants were then directed to join the tour along the rice fields and witness up-close the Subak irrigation system and the rice pounding procedure.
"They seemed amazed during the tour," he remarked.
According to Purna, some participants agreed that the welcoming dance and the tour were the best among other tourist destinations in Bali.
"I am grateful if they think that way," he stated.
He affirmed that the 10th World Water Forum in Bali had a positive impact on the tourism sector, especially the Jatiluwih tourist attraction.
Data from the Jatiluwih DTW management showed that before the 10th World Water Forum event in Nusa Dua, tourist visits per day reached 800 people.
Meanwhile, during the World Water Forum event, the number of tourists increased to 1,500 people per day.
"The increase in visits reached 50 percent. This is the positive impact brought by the event," he remarked.
Meanwhile, Navya, a participant from Canada, said that apart from witnessing the beauty of rice fields in Jatiluwih, she and her entourage also came to review and study the Subak irrigation system and art and culture in Bali.
"This is an extraordinary experience, being able to see firsthand how Subak can irrigate such vast rice fields. The Balinese dance that greeted us was also good. The dancers' graceful movements were so flexible. I wish I could learn it," she remarked.
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Translator: Pande Yudha/Rolandus N, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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