Currently, the Bali Provincial Government imposes an International Tourist Tax of IDR 150,000 on foreign tourists vacationing in Bali. Local Regulation No. 6 of 2023 regulates the Foreign Tourist Tax on Taxation on Foreign Tourists for the Protection of Bali’s Culture and Natural Environment.
The tax has been in effect since February 14, 2024. However, due to inappropriate behavior by foreign tourists in Bali, the Bali Provincial Council’s Committee II proposed an increase in the international tourist tax. The tax, which was originally US$10, has been doubled to US$50 just four months after the policy was implemented.
The proposal was submitted by Kresna Budi, Chairman of the Bali DPRD IGK Committee 2.
“I want to raise it to $50 so we can spend on necessities. Why is Bali being sold so cheap? You have to get a Rp 5.7 million visa to go to the UK,” Kresna said after the 10th General Assembly held at the Bali Provincial Government Building on June 19, 2024.
According to Kresna, Bali Provincial Local Regulation No. 6 of 2023 on fees for foreign tourists will also be amended to coincide with the plan.
The tax will also be used to pay the salaries of the newly established tourist police in Bali, the Bali Immigration Bureau, and the management of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali. In addition, the tax will also be used for tourists visiting Bali.
He also hopes that the fee increase will improve the eligibility of tourists to come to Bali.
“If the prices go up, naturally the quality (of foreign tourists) will also go up. I hope everything goes well. Bali is not just for the Balinese, it belongs to everyone. Tourists love Bali,” he said, CNN Indonesia reported.
Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy calls for stability
Balinese. Image credit: Polina Kuzovkova
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno was reacting to a proposal to increase the tax charged to foreign tourists in Bali to US$50, which translates to about 800,000 Indonesian rupiah at the current exchange rate.
Sandiaga said the proposal was good, but the tax policy itself has only just been implemented and he would be worried about any changes in the near future. He added that his biggest concern now is ensuring that foreign tourists who comply with the tourism tax have a safe, comfortable, enjoyable and clean experience.
“This is our first task before we tinker with a very new policy that is not even six months old. If we keep changing the policy, it will call into question Indonesia’s level of credibility in the eyes of stakeholders and the world,” he told Detik.
Sandiaga said the Indonesian government must ensure that foreign tourists have a comfortable experience. He believes a thorough study needs to be done before any policy changes are made to make foreign tourists more willing to come to Bali and other parts of Indonesia.
