Bali to implement tourism tax starting 14 February

BALI, INDONESIA: Beginning 14 February, all foreign tourists, including those from Singapore, will be required to pay a tourism tax of 150,000 rupiah (S$12.83) upon their visit to Bali, Indonesia.

This new levy also extends to tourists visiting mainland Bali and its neighboring islands such as Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan.

Even tourists arriving from other parts of Indonesia, whether by land or domestic flights, will be subject to this tax.

Notably, children will not be exempted from the levy.

As the tax is collected per entry, visitors exploring nearby destinations like Lombok and the Gili Islands, which are outside Bali province, will need to pay the tax again upon their return to Bali.

Bali institutes tourism levy to preserve cultural heritage and environment

The provincial administration of Bali has instituted this levy as a measure to safeguard the island’s cultural heritage and ecological balance.

Governor I Wayan Koster first unveiled this taxation initiative before the Bali DPRD (Regional People’s Representative Assembly) on 12 July.

In September 2023, the start date of the tourism tax was announced by Bali tourism chief Tjok Bagus Pemayun, with assurances that payment could be processed swiftly at airport counters, taking no more than 23 seconds per person, as reported by ANTARA News Bali.

However, according to the recent official notice, tourists are encouraged to pay the tax via the Love Bali website or app before their arrival instead.

Upon successful payment, tourists will receive a tourism levy voucher via email, which they should retain on their phones for scanning upon arrival at Bali’s airports or seaports.

Authorities in Bali have stated that the revenue generated from this tax will be utilized to enhance tourist services, preserve Balinese culture, and address environmental concerns, particularly amidst reports of overtourism and environmental pollution plaguing the island.

The ‘Tukad Teba’ for example was dubbed as the ‘most polluted’ river in Bali.

Recent years have also seen rising tensions between locals and tourists, with several incidents involving tourists engaging in illegal activities, disrespecting religious sites, and contributing to environmental degradation.

As a result of these occurrences, Bali experienced a notable increase in deported tourists from January to July 2023, reaching 198 individuals by July, which exceeded the annual total of 188 in 2022.

Leading the list of repatriated individuals were citizens from Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, contributing significantly to this concerning trend.

Despite these challenges, Bali’s tourism authority remains optimistic, projecting a significant increase in tourist arrivals for 2024, aiming for seven million visitors, up from 5.2 million in 2023.

Concurrently, federal authorities aim to attract 14 million visitors to Indonesia in 2024, targeting a revenue of 200 trillion rupiah.

While Singaporeans and other ASEAN nationals enjoy visa-free entry for up to 30 days, other tourists are subject to a 500,000 rupiah fee for a 30-day visa on arrival, in addition to the newly introduced tourism tax.

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