The Indonesian government is considering on imposing a tourist tax for foreigners in Bali, ranging from $30 to $100 and serving as a deterrent to unwanted tourists. Sandiaga Uno, the Minister of Tourism, stated during a Tuesday, 2nd of May online media conference that President Joko Widodo is considering imposing a tourist tax. However, the proposal is still in the discussion stage.
Most tourists who visit Indonesia fly to Bali, straining to accommodate an upsurge in long-staying tourists who have voluntarily fled due to the conflict in Europe.
Many of them are attempting to make money by competing with local businesses for the tourist market or trying to stay as cheaply as possible by not dining at restaurants or staying in motels. Additionally, there has been a rise in the number of Russian nationals deported for disrespecting local customs, particularly in or near sacred or religious sites.
Immigration police detained three Russian tourists on the 1st of May for dancing inappropriately at a temple in the Karangasem Regency in east Bali, which angered the residents there.
101 foreigners have been deported from Bali this year, including six Australians, eight British, seven from Nigeria and the United States, and 27 Russians. Despite making up just 2.5% of the 2.25 million visitors who came to Bali in the first three months of this year, Russian nationals are overrepresented in the deportation statistics.
Malaysians were the most prominent visitors, with 368,000 arriving in Bali in the first quarter, followed by 283,500 Singaporeans and 280,000 Australians. 56,900 Russian visitors visited during this period.
According to Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, head of the Bali Tourism Board, a new tourist tax of between $30 and $100 will help raise the calibre of tourists to the island.
Adnyana requests that the government use the funds for improved training for local employees to improve the image of Indonesian tourism.
“Income from the tourism tax would go toward funding several initiatives and keep Bali from merely being recognized as a cheap vacation spot. Cheap travel attracts cheap travellers, who often cause many issues,” according to Adnyana.
Not everybody supports it. Instead of enacting a tourist tax, Komang Artana, vice-chairman of the Indonesian Hotel General Manager Association in Bali, suggested that the government enforce current laws that prohibit foreign visitors from trying to earn money in Indonesia.
According to Artana, there have been several incidents of Russian nationals travelling on tourist visas working as tour guides, renting motorcycles, and instructing others on how to ride motorcycles for a charge.
“We welcome visitors from all nations to Bali, but we must prevent individuals from misusing their visitor or resident permits.” Artana clarified
“We have no power over how much money they spend while they are here, so tourist tax will not help that much. Some have modest, some medium and some have large budgets. As long as they know and follow the rules, we should embrace everyone,” Artana remarked.
Interested about this topic? Check out our other articles from Social Expat:
