Currently, the Bali Provincial Government is imposing an international tourism levy of IDR 150 thousand for foreign tourists vacationing in Bali. Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023 regulates the foreign tourist levy concerning Levy for Foreign Tourists for the Protection of Bali’s Culture and Natural Environment.
The levy has been running since February 14, 2024. However, due to the misbehaviour of foreign tourists acting in Bali, Commission II of the Bali Regional House of Representatives proposed an increase in the international tourism levy. Initially, USD 10 surged to USD 50, even though this policy has only been running for four months.
The Chairman of Commission II of the Bali Provincial DPRD IGK, Kresna Budi, submitted the proposal.
“We want to increase (the levy) to USD 50. So, we can use the necessities. Why is Bali sold cheaply? If we go to England, we must get a visa of IDR 5.7 million,” said Kresna after the 10th Plenary Meeting at the Bali Provincial Office Building on June 19, 2024.
According to Kresna, the Bali Province Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023 concerning fees for foreign tourists will also be revised along with this plan.
The levy will also be budgeted for tourism police wages in Bali that have been formed, Bali Immigration, and the management of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali. In addition, the levy will also be for the good of tourists who come to Bali.
He also hopes that the increased fees will make tourists who come to Bali more qualified.
“Automatically, with higher fees, the quality(of foreign tourists) will be better. We hope that everything will be fine; Bali belongs to everyone, not only to the Balinese people; tourists love Bali,” he said, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Urge Stability
The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, responded to the proposed foreign tourist levy in Bali, which rose to USD 50. If equated to the current exchange rate, it would be around IDR 800 thousand.
According to Sandiaga, the proposal is fine, but the levy policy itself is just running, so it would be bad if it were changed in the near future. He also said that the main concern now is to provide a safe, comfortable, pleasant, and clean experience to foreign tourists who comply with the tourist levy.
“That is our first task before we tinker with policies that are not yet six months old—still very new. If we keep changing our policies, Indonesia’s credibility level in the eyes of stakeholders and the world will be questioned,” he told Detik.
Sandiaga said the Indonesian government must also ensure foreign tourists have a pleasant experience. He considered that an in-depth study needed to be conducted before changing policies so that tourists from other countries would be more willing to come to Bali and other parts of Indonesia.
