The religious tourism area of Gunung Kawi is now enforcing much stricter rules regarding access for content creators. This policy is reportedly a result of several viral social media posts reviewing the mystical aspects and myths of the area, including a video previously uploaded by the figure known as Pesulap Merah (Red Magician).
As of now, the site management has not released an official statement regarding these procedural changes. However, many suspect that this tightening is a protective measure by the management for the Gunung Kawi royal court (keraton) compound, which is deemed to have been frequently exploited for sensitive content.
Reports about the difficulty of obtaining coverage permits have begun circulating among social media influencers. Several content creators reported that despite meeting all administrative requirements, they still faced obstacles in securing access permits to specific locations within the Gunung Kawi area.
Furthermore, there is information indicating that administrative permits from the police or the local tourism office do not guarantee that creators can cover the area. The management is reportedly enforcing a much deeper verification process, presumed to be a response to the disappointment of local residents and management regarding previous content deemed disrespectful to local customs.
