Management or domination? Planning tourism in the Banda Islands, Eastern Indonesia

The Banda Islands, or Spice Islands, of Indonesia are idyllic, volcanic mountains in the Banda Sea. Tourism in the islands is dominated by one powerful and authoritarian individual, Des Alwi. With close links to the Jakarta government, he has moulded local development to his own vision. In the areas of marine conservation, diving, architectural restoration and historical tradition (adat) Des Alwi’s domination has brought local conflict. This article examines these issues to highlight the problems of authoritarian planning in tourism and stresses the need for local consent if conflict is to be avoided.