This week, Bali was shocked by the actions of a foreign tourist who stole a truck, hit a motorcycle, and damaged the infrastructure of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. This action made the Bali government and also the central government respond.
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy applies the precautionary principle in recommending an evaluation of the provision of visa-on-arrival (VoA) immigration facilities due to the many problematic foreign nationals.
Meanwhile, acting Bali Governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya wants the action against rogue foreign nationals to be completed so as not to negatively image tourism on the Island of the Gods.
According to him, Bali’s economy depends on the tourism sector, which is currently starting to rise after nearly three years of being severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ministry has also begun to evaluate the Visa on Arrival policy, which was previously given to facilitate the arrival of foreign tourists. Its impact will encourage the growth of the tourism sector in Bali.
According to the Deputy for Marketing of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has to calculate the advantages and disadvantages of VoA.
Efforts are also made, including education for business owners and foreign tourists, primarily related to the rules while in tourist destinations. In addition, they are cooperating with related stakeholders, including immigration, hotels, and airlines, to conduct law enforcement.
“If (foreigners) violate, there is strict law enforcement,” he told Kompas.
Meanwhile, according to data from the Bali Ministry of Law and Human Rights, from January to June 7, 2024, 135 foreigners from 41 countries worldwide were deported from Bali.
