Home » Bali Mulls Implementing Quota System for Foreign Tourists

Bali Mulls Implementing Quota System for Foreign Tourists

Anasya Dufana
09:21, 7 May 2023

Bali’s Provincial Government intends to adopt a quota system for foreign tourists visiting the Island of the Gods soon. This quota system regulation will be implemented to avoid misbehaving foreigners who may harm Bali’s native culture.

Bali Mulls Implementing Quota System for Foreign Tourists — Source Istock

Addressing a conference on planning Bali’s future growth in 2025-2125 on Thursday, the 4th of May 2023, in Badung, Bali, Governor Koster warned, “(To) Control tourism and avoid the cheap, mass tourism of the past; as a result, a quota system for foreign tourists must be put in place. The quota system regulation is not yet in operation; provincial regulations must first be enforced.”

“Will the total number of foreign visitors be limited to just 7 million annually with specific tightened criteria? For example, visitors must prove minimum amounts of money in their bank accounts, prohibiting them from bringing only Rp. 10 million sufficient for a week and then staying for one month,” Koster explained.

As part of the mass tourism system, the number of foreign visitors to Bali will be capped at a quota set by the Governor of Bali I Wayan Koster’s administration., The Governor told the press that “the quota system will be implemented for the next 100 years.”

Koster stated that imposing the quota system also intends to prevent other problems such as foreign tourists seeking employment in Bali or starting a business with a tourist visa because they run out of money while on holiday in Bali.

“If we allow it to continue, Bali will only attract two penny tourists. Most of them eat rice packages and ride motorcycles, and they break traffic laws. In the end, they will end up dismantling the ATMs,” Koster explained.

Koster argues that an in-depth approach to the issue of unruly foreign tourists is necessary to alleviate the frustration that the Balinese people are experiencing due to these foreigners’ bad behaviour.

The Provincial Government of Bali will discuss the quota system and the exact numbers with the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) and all relevant stakeholders.

“Get on the list now if you want to visit Bali next year. The system will be employed shortly, but the quota will be addressed later. We will assess our team’s capacity, strength, and capabilities in Bali first,” Koster stated

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