Bali officials are actively seeking new ways to prevent island visitors from evading the mandatory tourist tax. Previously proposed measures included penalties for violators or restrictions on visiting attractions. Now, a new idea has emerged: utilizing advanced technology in the verification process.
The tourist tax, amounting to 150,000 Indonesian rupiah per person, began being collected in February this year. However, not all tourists are aware it’s mandatory, as no one checks receipts upon entry as promised. Currently, the QR code confirming payment is only requested at a few popular tourist locations.
As a result, more than 60 percent of international tourists arriving in Bali do not pay the tax. To address this, Bali’s tourism agency is considering installing automated QR code scanners at the airport. Tourists would only be allowed to enter the arrivals area after scanning the voucher obtained upon paying all fees. Initially, there were plans to integrate this option into auto-gates, but it’s more complicated than expected.
Specialists confirmed that the existing automatic gates cannot be used to scan QR codes for the tourist tax. The software in these gates is designed solely for border security and immigration control.
Thus, if approved, the automatic scanner for the tourist tax would become an additional step in the arrival process.
Despite statistics showing that only 40% of foreigners entering Bali pay the tourist tax, Bali Tourism Bureau Head Tjok Bagus Pemayun reported that over eight months, the tax has already generated 264 billion rupiah for the island’s treasury.
Meanwhile, the projected income for next year is only 250 billion rupiah. Pemayun calls this a realistic, not pessimistic, forecast. The target was set based on observations of tourists and available resources that could encourage tax compliance. Pemayun believes that setting a modest goal might be the key to gradual and steady success and noted that this new system still needs refinement.
Initially, the authorities planned to use the funds from the tourist tax to finance nature and cultural conservation projects, as well as improve tourist services and infrastructure on Bali. However, there’s currently no information on how these funds will be used.
Tourists on Bali are now required to carry a copy of the QR code voucher obtained after paying the tourist tax. Inspectors may conduct random checks of these documents at major attractions like Tanah Lot, Besakih, and Uluwatu temples.
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