Bali to Introduce $10 Tourist Tax to Preserve Culture and Environment

Key Points

• Bali will implement a $10 fee for foreign tourists entering the island from abroad or other parts of Indonesia.

• The fee will commence from 2024.

• This fee will be in addition to the Visa On Arrival fee most tourists pay.

• The tax aims to preserve the culture and environment of Bali, which attract millions of foreign visitors each year.

• Domestic Indonesian tourists will be exempt from the levy.

Bali to Introduce $10 Tourist Tax 'to Protect Environment and Culture'

Foreign tourists visiting the Indonesian island of Bali will soon have to pay a $10 fee as part of efforts to preserve the island's culture and environment. The levy, equivalent to 150,000 rupiah, will be collected electronically upon entry into Bali from abroad or other parts of Indonesia. However, domestic Indonesian tourists will not be subject to this charge.

This fee is in addition to the visa fee a tourist will also pay. Most visitors pay a Visa On Arrival fee of US$35 per person.

I Wayan Koster, the governor of Bali, reassured that the new tax would not deter visitors. He stated, "We will use it for the environment [and] culture, and we will build better quality infrastructure so travelling to Bali will be more comfortable and safe." With over two million tourists visiting in 2022 alone, officials hope that this measure will help manage unruly behavior reported among some travelers.

Quick Check: Find out what visa you need for Bali

Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, chairman of the Bali Tourism Board, expressed his hopes that the tourist tax would prevent Bali from becoming known solely as a cheap destination. He emphasized that "cheap destinations bring in cheap tourists who tend to cause a lot of problems."

According to The Independent, recent incidents involving disruptive behavior by foreign visitors have highlighted the need for stricter measures. In April, a Russian woman was deported after posing nude in front of a sacred tree in Bali. Similarly, an Australian woman was deported after arguing with police during a traffic stop for riding a scooter without a helmet.

The introduction of this tourist tax is seen as crucial for preserving Bali's unique cultural heritage and protecting its environment. The funds collected will be utilized to improve infrastructure, ensuring a more comfortable and safe experience for travelers.

Source: The Independent - https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/bali-holidays-new-tourist-tax-b2374571.html

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the new tourist tax start?

The new tax will not commence until January 2024.

Will the new Bali tourist tax be in addition to visa fees?

Yes. The new Bali tourist tax will be levied on top of the applicable visa fees. For most travelers, this means the tourist tax of US$10 will be on top of the US$35 Visa On Arrival fee, raising the cost to enter Bali for a holiday to US$45 per person.

More Bali Travel News