Bali travellers to face new tourist tax in 2024
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With the warmer weather upon us, now is the perfect time to embrace the great outdoors and explore nearby destinations. For those dreaming of a holiday in Bali, here's some good news: this Indonesian paradise isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Aussies, in particular, are no strangers to this tropical haven; statistics reveal that over a million Australians travel to Indonesia every year.
But before you rush to book your tickets and plan your Bali getaway, there's an important detail to keep in mind: the new foreign tourist tax.
According to the Bali tourism department, an international levy of IDR 150,000 ($A15) will be implemented starting February 14.
This means that if you're travelling from outside Indonesia—whether from Australia or any other part of the world—you'll need to pay this fee in addition to the existing IDR 500,000 ($A50) visa-on-arrival fee.
It's important to note that this tax still applies to foreign visitors coming in from other parts of Indonesia. Domestic Indonesian travellers are exempt.
Tjok Bagus Pemayun, the head of Bali's Tourism Department, has officially announced the implementation date for a new tourist levy. He explained that this tax will be collected electronically when tourists arrive in Bali.
Approximately 20 officers will be stationed at entry points to streamline this process, ensuring that the payment process takes only a few seconds.
While the detailed allocation of the revenue generated from this tourism tax has yet to be disclosed, Acting Governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya has clarified that, initially, the funds will be directed towards two key areas: waste management and the preservation of local culture.
Mahendra emphasised the importance of effectively managing the waste generated by the millions of tourists visiting Bali to maintain the island's sustainability.
It's also worth noting that the upcoming governor and their administration will determine the long-term plan for utilising these funds following the 2024 election.
Bali authorities have been addressing issues caused by unruly visitors, including imposing fines and considering deportation.
This initiative began with the creation of the Bali Becik Task Force in August, which was established following a request from the Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim.
The task force has a specific goal of conducting 100 immigration control operations each month, which may result in fines or even deportation for offenders. The measure will remain in effect until December 31, 2023.
Mr Karim highlighted an intriguing correlation between lower-spending tourists and a higher frequency of trouble-making.
He said, ‘The main problem regarding foreigners in Bali is the large number of foreign tourists with low spending who often make trouble. Because Bali is included in the category of cheap tourist destinations, it attracts thin-pocketed tourists.’
This news comes in the wake of a recent travel advisory that has brought attention to a new concern for tourists.
Authorities are warning travellers heading to Bali and other popular tourist destinations, urging them to exercise caution around animals. This caution comes as more Australians are reporting bites and scratches during their trips.
One of the primary attractions that draw tourists to Bali is the Ubud Monkey Forest, where visitors can observe monkeys in their natural habitat.
Such places are particularly popular among tourists, especially Australians, who seek to capture photos with these charming creatures. However, despite their adorable appearance, approaching them may not be advisable.
For more information, please refer to the full article here.
Members, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this news. Have any of you been to Bali? If you have, did you notice any unruly behaviour from tourists and travellers? Feel free to share your stories with us in the comments below!
Aussies, in particular, are no strangers to this tropical haven; statistics reveal that over a million Australians travel to Indonesia every year.
But before you rush to book your tickets and plan your Bali getaway, there's an important detail to keep in mind: the new foreign tourist tax.
According to the Bali tourism department, an international levy of IDR 150,000 ($A15) will be implemented starting February 14.
Officials have confirmed that foreigners heading to Bali for a tropical getaway will be slugged with a new tourist tax from February 2024. Credit: Unsplash/Kharl Anthony Paica.
This means that if you're travelling from outside Indonesia—whether from Australia or any other part of the world—you'll need to pay this fee in addition to the existing IDR 500,000 ($A50) visa-on-arrival fee.
It's important to note that this tax still applies to foreign visitors coming in from other parts of Indonesia. Domestic Indonesian travellers are exempt.
Tjok Bagus Pemayun, the head of Bali's Tourism Department, has officially announced the implementation date for a new tourist levy. He explained that this tax will be collected electronically when tourists arrive in Bali.
Approximately 20 officers will be stationed at entry points to streamline this process, ensuring that the payment process takes only a few seconds.
While the detailed allocation of the revenue generated from this tourism tax has yet to be disclosed, Acting Governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya has clarified that, initially, the funds will be directed towards two key areas: waste management and the preservation of local culture.
Mahendra emphasised the importance of effectively managing the waste generated by the millions of tourists visiting Bali to maintain the island's sustainability.
It's also worth noting that the upcoming governor and their administration will determine the long-term plan for utilising these funds following the 2024 election.
Bali authorities have been addressing issues caused by unruly visitors, including imposing fines and considering deportation.
This initiative began with the creation of the Bali Becik Task Force in August, which was established following a request from the Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim.
The task force has a specific goal of conducting 100 immigration control operations each month, which may result in fines or even deportation for offenders. The measure will remain in effect until December 31, 2023.
Mr Karim highlighted an intriguing correlation between lower-spending tourists and a higher frequency of trouble-making.
He said, ‘The main problem regarding foreigners in Bali is the large number of foreign tourists with low spending who often make trouble. Because Bali is included in the category of cheap tourist destinations, it attracts thin-pocketed tourists.’
This news comes in the wake of a recent travel advisory that has brought attention to a new concern for tourists.
Authorities are warning travellers heading to Bali and other popular tourist destinations, urging them to exercise caution around animals. This caution comes as more Australians are reporting bites and scratches during their trips.
One of the primary attractions that draw tourists to Bali is the Ubud Monkey Forest, where visitors can observe monkeys in their natural habitat.
Such places are particularly popular among tourists, especially Australians, who seek to capture photos with these charming creatures. However, despite their adorable appearance, approaching them may not be advisable.
For more information, please refer to the full article here.
Members, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this news. Have any of you been to Bali? If you have, did you notice any unruly behaviour from tourists and travellers? Feel free to share your stories with us in the comments below!
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