Foreign tourists will now have to pay a 150 000 rupiah (8.97 euro) tax to enter Bali, a popular tourist destination in Indonesia, with Indonesian authorities saying the measure is aimed at protecting the island’s environment and culture. Bali attracted almost 4.8 million tourists between January and November last year, on Wednesday, the 14th of February, reports the British broadcaster BBC.
The tourist tax, first announced last year, came into force on Wednesday, Valentine’s Day, and applies to foreign tourists travelling from overseas or from other parts of the country.
Tourists are encouraged to pay before arrival via the Love Bali website.
Tourism, which accounted for about 60% of Bali’s annual GDP before the pandemic, has been an important contributor to the economy. According to statistics, in November 2023, tourists from Australia led the way with more than 100 000 visitors, followed by tourists from India, China and Singapore.
However, the behaviour of some tourists in recent years has led to dissatisfaction among local residents.
In March last year, a Russian man was deported from Bali for undressing on Mount Agung, which is considered by Hindus to be the home of the gods. In the same month, the authorities announced plans to ban foreign tourists from using motorcycles for traffic violations. Also in 2021, a fuss was made over a video showing a Russian couple having sex on Mount Batur, another sacred site.
The tax came into force on the day millions of Indonesians went to the polls to elect a new President and legislators.
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