Tourist fees imposed so far in Asia are too low to deter tourists. Fees do not help curb overtourism, but they provide destinations with regular income that can be used to maintain tourism infrastructure. Industry Stakeholders want transparency in collection and usage
Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture currently collects a visit fee, which authorities say will be used for sustainable tourism development.
Bali is the newest destination among other destinations around the world to impose visitor fees with the aim of preserving the condition of the land, but tourism authorities are trying to better manage tourist flows. , probably won’t be the last destination as it looks for ways to fund tourists. Infrastructure maintenance.
From February 14 this year, all international travelers entering Bali will be required to pay a one-time fee of Rp 150,000 (US$10) per person. The Bali government said the collection will be used to fund the preservation of Bali’s unique cultural heritage and strengthen sustainable tourism efforts. The first year’s donation is estimated at Rp 250 billion and will be used, among other things, for cultural preservation programs and critical waste management.
Last October, Miyajima, located in Hiroshima Prefecture and famous for its UNESCO World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine, began collecting an entry tax of 100 yen (US$0.66) per admission, or 500 yen for a one-year pass. Ta. . Officials of Hatsukaichi City, which has jurisdiction over Miyajima, say that the worship fees will be used for sustainable tourism development, including measures to ease tourist crowds and the maintenance of ancient shrines.
Thailand was also scheduled to introduce a tourist fee this year, but it has since been put on hold. Part of the collection will go toward new health and accident insurance for foreign tourists, which is currently being funded by the national treasury. Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports and National Institute provides insurance coverage of up to 500,000 baht (US$13,861) for each traveler involved in an accident while on vacation in Thailand, or up to 1 million baht in case of death . Department of Emergency Medicine under the Ministry of Public Health.
Other popular Asian destinations, including South Korea’s Jeju Island and Japan’s Taketomi Island and Amami City, are also considering tourist fees.
Jeju Island intends to use the fee to manage waste produced by its burgeoning tourism industry. Discussions in mid-2023 suggested that tourists could be expected to pay a fee for each stay on the island, in addition to a one-off entry fee and additional fees for vehicle hire.
Last year, Taketomi Town in Okinawa Prefecture, home to the World Natural Heritage Site Iriomote Island, submitted a draft proposal for a tourist tax starting in 2024. The proceeds will be used to reduce strain on local infrastructure and reduce environmental damage caused by tourists. Before the pandemic, that number was more than 1 million a year.
The nearby archipelago of Amami, another World Natural Heritage site, also imposes taxes and grants to tourists to protect its endemic species and natural environment, which is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. We are considering recruiting.
Welcome charge
Indonesian inbound tourism operators say Bali’s tourism tax is low, at the equivalent of $10, and that European tourists, especially those accustomed to higher tourist and accommodation taxes within Europe, are comfortable with it.
However, we believe there is room for improvement in the application and payment system. Currently, travelers must access different links for Visa on Arrival, Electronic Customs Declaration, and Bali Tourist Tax.
Ricky Setiawant, director of business development at Panorama Destinations, said it was better for travelers to have everything in one channel.
Miyajima’s tourist fees, which are nothing more than small change for tourists, have not met with any resistance.
Hamid: Destinations can encourage better tourist behavior through education
Will it work?
When asked whether the entrance fee was helping alleviate overcrowding on the famous island, Shunji Mukai, chief of the Miyajima Planning and Coordination Division in Hatsukaichi City, said, “There was no change in the number of visitors before and after the introduction of the admission fee.” . Miyajima tourism tax.
However, not everything was wasted, and the city has been able to generate “stable and continuous financial resources of 350 million yen annually” through “improved transportation access and convenience, etc.” The large financial resources are being effectively utilized. From cleaning and maintenance of toilets and rest areas to projects related to the preservation and inheritance of Miyajima’s traditions and culture.
One such project is the Miyajima Another 1000 Years Project, launched in 2023 to promote the development of Miyajima as a sustainable tourist destination with activities for everyone.
Mr. Mukai said the Miyajima Tourist Tax would provide travelers with a “cost reduction” in order to achieve tourism that “appropriately responds to the needs of tourists, the tourism industry, the environment, and host communities, while taking full account of the current situation and circumstances.” We believe that this system is necessary in order to have the government pay a portion of the burden. Future economic, social and environmental impacts”.
“Visitors are expected to engage with the community not only as tourists and consumers, but also as contributors to the creation of sustainable tourism destinations,” Mukai said.
Shotaro Yamabe, chief producer and executive director of the Hiroshima Tourism Association, said proper and sustainable management of a destination is important to make it a “repeat” attraction for travelers.
“Ensuring tourist satisfaction is essential for developing tourist destinations that can be used repeatedly,” Yamabe said, adding that tourist destinations must maintain at least their “basic qualities” so as not to cause stress to visitors. There is a need, he added, and the Miyajima Tourism Tax will help fund the provision of such tourist destinations. basic qualities.
These fees allow travelers to actively contribute to the development and care of a destination, but industry stakeholders are calling for transparency in the collection and use of tracking.
Euan Klucky, founder of Tripseed, a Thailand-based destination operator and tour distributor committed to responsible tourism, said such financial initiatives require “appropriate execution and allocation of funds. “We need transparency, but in reality this rarely happens.”
Aje Wajono, operations manager of Aneka Kartika Tours & Travel in Indonesia, said the tour operator community expects the Bali tourism tax to contribute to culture and conservation, adding that the fund will also support trade promotion. He expressed his hope that this would happen.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said that in addition to these fiscal measures, destinations could encourage better behavior from tourists through education, and when exploring a destination. He said tourist behavior could be improved by explaining the benefits of bringing a water bottle with you and ordering food in moderation. Tourism organizations could also inform travelers about the challenge of overtourism and help them make “informed decisions about where to visit based on the destination’s capacity.”
An example of a destination-led campaign to improve traveler behavior can be seen in Palau. Palau launched an app in 2022 that allows users to accumulate points by completing eco-friendly tasks such as offsetting their carbon footprint, frequenting and participating in responsible businesses. In a community regeneration tourism project.
Mr. Clacky is also committed to educating travelers, saying they should be encouraged to explore second-city destinations or travel during off-peak seasons, so that The company says it will contribute to a more stable flow of tourism income throughout the year.
He also called on travel industry stakeholders to do more to achieve responsible tourism growth.
“DMOs, international travel agents and tour operators have a big role to play in communicating the benefits of more sustainable travel to consumers. On the back end, DMCs are putting profits ahead of the welfare of their local communities. “Rather than prioritizing it, we need to ensure that its operations and procurement strategies are truly aligned with (sustainable) goals,” he said. – Additional reporting by Mimi Hudoyo
