The Bali Provincial Government has decided to introduce an international tourism tax that will require foreign tourists to pay a one-time fee of Rp150,000, or about US$10, in addition to the visa fee, when entering the island. The tax policy will enter into force starting February 14, 2024.
The regional tourism businesses have called for transparency in the management of the funds. Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, the chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI) of the Bali Chapter, said the levy was regulated by the law for the preservation of culture and the environment.
“I also agree that the use of foreign tourist levy is focused on overcoming traffic jams,” Agung Partha said at the sharing session on the public policy for Bali tourism development held by the Nawa Cita Wisata Indonesia (NCPI) in Badung Regency, on Monday, January 22.
According to Agung Partha, tourism associations must be involved in discussing priority programs and participating in monitoring the use of the levy.
“It is also necessary to establish a team that manages the funds. We hope that the levy program will be well coordinated with the relevant parties so as not to reduce tourists’ convenience during their visits,” he added.
Ketut Yadnya Winarta, the head of the Bali Tourism Promotion Team, confirmed that the foreign tourist levy will be implemented from February 14, 2024. “We have prepared the application, and it is ready to open starting in early February,” he said.
Regarding the use of foreign tourist fees, Yadnya explained that related agencies have prepared several programs, such as those related to culture and the environment, which will focus on waste management on the island.
(source: Tempo)
