Indonesia’s new tourist fee on international visitors to Bali is set to make around $18m in it’s first year.
The fee of 150,000IDR – nearly A$15 – started on 14 February. Introduction of the fee comes after year of attempts to curb mass tourism to the popular destination, and to regulate ‘disorderly’ foreigners.
Tourists have been causing local discontent for years. Lewd behaviour such as nude photo sessions near sacred localities, stripping in public and recklessly rebuffing traffic rules have angered authorities.
As a result, a comprehensive list of dos and don’ts for tourists was published and a designated task force formed to track overseas tourists’ behaviour. A hotline service was launched so locals can report any misconduct.
More than 1.2 million Australians visited Bali last year, making them the most important foreign tourism group for Bali. While the Australian government urges tourists to pay heed to and understand Indonesian sentiments and norms, Indonesia is also entreating Australian tourists to discover territories beyond Bali.
Indonesian tourism minister Sandiaga Uno told to news.com.au that earnings from the new tourist levy would be invested in protecting and nurturing the distinctive culture, treasured traditions, spiritual heritage, and environmental beauty of Bali. It will also contribute towards a more sustainable model of tourism.
Indonesia hopes to pull in more than $18 million just from Australian tourist levies alone. Indonesia’s deputy tourism minister, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, says the primary use of funds would be put towards environment preservation, safeguarding cultural sites, and fortifying waste management strategies.
Waste management is an ongoing issue throughout Indonesia. Recent pictures showed Kuta Beach inundated with piles of food containers, plastic bottles, and discarded shopping bags left by tourists.
Tourists expressed concern about a double levy payment after visiting Gili Islands and Lombok before returning back to Bali on the same trip. However, Mr Uno confirmed that a single fee payment will be sufficient for visits within Indonesia.
“You could fly to Bali, pay the fee, visit Jakarta and then return to Bali and not have to pay again,” he said.
“However, if you were to go from Bali to Bangkok and then back to Bali, you would need to pay again.”
Payments can be effortlessly made online prior to landing in Bali.
What do you think of the new tourist fee? Is it fair? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?
Also read: Five tactics for enjoying travel as an introvert
