From February 14, 2024, every foreigner arriving in Bali by air, sea, or land will be subject to a tourist fee of 150,000 Indonesian Rupiahs. This was announced by the head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun.
Yes, the effective date of the law is somewhat ironic: 'We love you very much, and now even more,' as if the island authorities are saying to us. In reality, the amount is not very burdensome, just under 10 dollars. However, if you multiply it by the number of tourists visiting the island, estimated to be between 5.5 to 6 million people, it adds up to a significant figure - around 60 million dollars. The funds collected will go to Bali's budget, financing infrastructure development, environmental projects, and various initiatives related to improving the tourism industry.
A significant portion of the tax will be allocated to waste collection and disposal. According to the acting governor of the island, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, tourists inevitably generate a certain amount of waste that needs to be properly disposed of to eliminate unpleasant odors and environmental damage. Also, part of the taxes will go towards maintaining Balinese culture, as visitors to Bali expect to experience not only stunning nature but also to immerse themselves in the history and culture of the island. The authorities promise exclusive transparency in the use of these funds.
Despite statements that this tax should also affect the "quality" of tourists arriving in Bali, it is unlikely to work. Yes, thanks to it, a potential troublemaker will be deprived of approximately six bottles of "Bintang," but they could switch to, for example, Anggur merah or arak. In general, it is an ordinary and even, one might say, typical tourist tax for many countries. The amount is quite affordable for almost everyone, and the only burden it imposes on tourists is the importance of not forgetting to pay it before arrival to avoid running around the airport to find a way to pay the fee there.
Tjok Bagus also shared details about the payment:
- Payment must be made electronically through the Love Bali system (likely the functionality will appear somewhere here) before entering the island. Access to Love Bali can be obtained through a browser or mobile phone, as well as through the application.
- Tourists will need to fill out the necessary forms and then make the payment.
- The payment process is carried out through the bank designated by the Bali provincial government, namely Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), with the option to choose payment methods such as transfer, virtual account, or QRIS.
- If the transaction process is successful, the Love Bali system will provide a notification that it has been paid, in the form of digital proof of payment.
- If you do not make the payment through the Love Bali system, you will have to do it through a non-cash payment at the payment counter at Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport or the arrival port. Payment can be made using a debit or credit card or through electronic payment systems.
- Despite the option to pay upon arrival, foreign tourists are recommended to make the payment before entering Bali. This is done to facilitate arrival services at the airport or port.
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