Indonesia: Bali's Tourism Tax Targets Visitors; Top Travellers Including Indians Will Have to Pay This Much

Foreign tourists visiting the city of Bali in Indonesia are now required to pay a 150,000 rupiah ($10) levy upon entry, which will be used to help preserve the island’s environment and culture. Effective from Valentine’s Day, the Bali tax will target visitors from abroad or other parts of Indonesia.

Tourist-dependent Bali attracts millions of foreign visitors annually and the beach-dotted island is trying to capitalise on its popularity to boost its coffers. The levy, meant to preserve the culture of the “Island of Gods,” however, will not apply to domestic Indonesian tourists, AFP reported. “This levy is aimed at the protection of the culture and the environment in Bali,” Bali’s acting governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya said at a launch ceremony Monday.

The fee will have to be paid electronically through the “Love Bali” online portal and will apply to foreign tourists entering Bali from abroad or from other parts of Indonesia. While Bali has long been renowned for its pristine beaches and scenic landscapes, the recent influx of tourists has raised concerns among locals. Nearly 4.8 million tourists visited Bali between January and November last year, with Australia leading in tourist arrivals, followed by India, China, and Singapore.

However, instances of misbehaviour by tourists have stirred controversy in recent years. The palm-fringed hotspot has promised a crackdown on misbehaving tourists after a spate of incidents that have included acts of disrespect to the predominantly Hindu island’s culture. Last March, a Russian man was deported for nudity on Mount Agung, a sacred site. In another incident, a video of a couple engaging in inappropriate behaviour on Mount Batur sparked public outcry. Local authorities are also reportedly contemplating banning foreign tourists from using motorbikes due to traffic violations.

Last year, the local government published an etiquette guide for tourists who wish to visit Bali after being pressed to do so by the island’s immigration office. Locals argue that these events underscore the need for measures to regulate tourism and protect Bali’s cultural heritage. The latest tourist tax coincided with Indonesia’s electoral process, as millions cast their votes for a new president and legislature.

(With agency inputs)