The Bali Provincial Government plans to introduce a new policy in 2026 that will tighten screening requirements for foreign tourists entering the island. The policy will assess visitors’ financial capacity and planned activities during their stay.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster said the measure aims to improve tourism governance and ensure that foreign visitors contribute positively to the local economy. The policy is part of a long-term effort to develop sustainable tourism on the island.
“One aspect considered for quality tourism is the amount of money in the savings account for the past three months,” Koster said, as reported by Antara, when presenting the policy in Gianyar.
According to Koster, the length of stay and the types of activities planned by foreign tourists will also be reviewed. He said the policy is designed to ensure that visitors arrive with clear travel purposes and adequate financial preparation.
The Bali Provincial Government said the policy reflects a broader shift in tourism management. Authorities are moving away from a focus on visitor numbers towards quality and responsibility.
Koster said similar screening measures are applied in several other countries. “This is to ensure everything is under control, just like when we travel to other countries, with policies like those in other countries, we will do the same,” he said.
Focus Shifts from Visitor Numbers to Tourism Quality
The planned screening policy follows a significant rise in foreign tourist arrivals to Bali after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, Bali recorded 7.05 million foreign arrivals by air and 71,000 by sea, the highest figures in the island’s tourism history.
Koster said the surge reflected successful efforts to revive tourism but also brought challenges. He acknowledged that policies introduced in previous years prioritised attracting large numbers of visitors.
“We’re mobilising everyone to get people to come to Bali. That’s what’s happening now, and they are enjoying themselves,” Koster said. “We have to address this, and it can’t be done in a day or two; it requires patience.”
The governor said the increase in arrivals made it harder to manage visitor behaviour and maintain tourism standards.
He said the government now sees the need for better screening to support orderly tourism.
According to the Bali Provincial Government, the new policy is expected to help prevent behaviour that could disrupt public order or harm the tourism image of the island. Authorities said the screening will focus on preparation and intent, not discrimination.
Policy to Be Backed by Regional Tourism Regulations
Koster said the new screening system will be part of regional regulations on tourism governance. He stressed that regulatory reform is necessary to address long-standing challenges linked to tourism growth.
Rather than blaming tourists for issues such as waste management, traffic congestion, or flooding, Koster said the government must strengthen policy frameworks.
“Going forward, we will begin to focus on quality tourism, not just quantity, but quality tourism, designed through regional regulations on tourism governance,” he said.
The Bali Provincial Government said the regulations will serve as the legal basis for implementing the screening policy. Authorities aim to clarify who is permitted to enter Bali and under what conditions.
Koster said the objective is to ensure foreign tourists do not create problems during their stay and instead contribute positively to the local economy and community.
Before outlining the policy, Koster presented data showing steady growth in tourist arrivals since the pandemic subsided. He said the figures demonstrate strong recovery but also highlight the need for stronger governance.
The government has not yet released technical details on how the screening will be implemented. Further regulations and coordination with national authorities are expected before the policy comes into force in 2026.
