EVALUATING ENABLERS AND CONSTRAINTS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HALAL CERTIFICATION WITHIN THE TOURISM-BASED ECONOMY OF BALI PROVINCE

This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the enabling and constraining factors that shape the implementation of halal certification within the tourism-based economy of Bali Province. Although halal tourism has emerged as a global trend and aligns with Indonesia’s national regulatory agenda, the adoption rate of halal certification in Bali remains remarkably low—covering less than 2% of its industrial potential—despite the dominant proportion of Muslim domestic tourists. Employing a socio-legal qualitative approach, the findings reveal that the primary enablers of halal certification include the substantial market of Muslim tourists, the advanced readiness of Bali’s tourism infrastructure, and strong socio-cultural support rooted in long-standing traditions of tolerance and cultural innovation, as reflected in the emergence of the Halal–Balinese Fusion concept. Conversely, the implementation of halal certification is hindered by multiple multidimensional barriers, encompassing: (1) technical and bureaucratic obstacles, including lengthy certification procedures (45–90 days) and relatively high associated costs; (2) human resource limitations, evidenced by the presence of only 12 certified halal auditors across Bali; (3) cultural and perceptual resistance stemming from concerns that halal initiatives may disrupt the philosophical foundation of Tri Hita Karana; and (4) critical infrastructural constraints, particularly the scarcity of halal-certified slaughterhouses that contributes to increased logistical costs, coupled with limited availability of permanent prayer facilities in hotels and tourist destinations. The study concludes that accelerating the implementation of halal certification in Bali requires a more adaptive policy design through procedural simplification, provision of financial incentives to industry actors, and the deployment of culturally sensitive communication strategies. These measures are necessary to ensure the creation of synergy between the needs of Muslim tourists and the preservation of Bali’s cultural heritage.