Hans Johannes Hofer

Hans Johannes Höfer was born in Stuttgart, Germany. An artist, he wrote a travel guide to Bali and produced a whole series of travel guide books.[1]

In the late 1960s, he trekked from Europe to Asia. In Bali he earned a living by selling his paintings of the Indonesian island to tourists. He was frustrated, however, by the lack of easily available information on Bali's colourful culture and people. Where did their beliefs originate? How did their art develop? Hoefer searched for a guidebook that would provide this information as well as describe its tourist sites. It would give an insight into the people's values and politics; it would use strong visual images to communicate directly the atmosphere of the destination and the everyday life of its inhabitants; and it would encourage readers to celebrate the essence of the place rather than fashion it to suit their preconceptions. He couldn't find such a book, so he decided to create it. With the financial backing of a local hotel, he published Insight Guide: Bali in 1970.

He sold his share of the Insight Guide company to Langenscheidt KG and currently owns Apa Villa, Sri Lanka, one of the top-rated get-away hotels. He also owns an 80-foot schooner called Rising Tide. He is married to retired journalist and reporter Cynthia Hoefer and has two children, Hans-sen Hoefer and Hanli Hoefer.