Bali Tourism Tax Generates $1 Million Despite Payment Problems 

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Bali’s tourism tax has now been in effect for two weeks, as the funds generated crossed the USD 1 million mark; leaders are reviewing the program so far.

Based on feedback from tourists and tourism staff, there are already some changes in the works. 

The Bali Tourism Office has confirmed that over IDR 12.5 billion in tax revenue has been collected since the sustainable tourism initiative was launched on the 14th of February.

The new tourism tax requires all international tourists to pay IDR 150,000 to help continue the preservation of Balinese culture, the protection of the natural landscape, and the leveling up of tourism infrastructure. 

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All marketing materials and all promo for the tourism tax prior to launch encouraged tourists to pay their tax online before arriving in Bali.

They, they said, would help save time and reduce queues at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. However, since its launch, the Love Bali website and smartphone app have been having nothing but problems. Tourists have been able to unable to load the page, let alone proceed to payment.

With this in mind, the guidance has changed. Although the Love Bali website and app appear to be loading a bit more reliably, tourists are now being encouraged to pay their tourism tax fee on arrival at Bali Airport.

If the queue is too long or they do not have time to wait, it is possible to pay via a travel agent in Bali or at certain hotels. 

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Once paid, tourists will be given a tourism tax payment voucher to certify that they have made their contribution.

Moving forward, it is advisable to keep this voucher close at all times in case a tourism officer or Tourism Satpol PP Police Officer asks to see proof of payment. 

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In theory, the tourism police will only be conducting spot checks of tourism tax payments once the system has been up and running for three months, though tourists mustn’t be surprised if they are approached by a tourism police officer sooner.

The new tourism police units are out on patrol with their ‘tourist friend’ Kintamani puppies already.

They have even been tasked with chatting to tourists and making themselves available to help. One of the topics of conversation will surely be the newly introduced tourism tax. 

The Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, told reporters earlier this week, “Checks at DTW (government-managed tourism attractions) will be carried out regularly starting in May 2024, at least once a week, simultaneously in several DTW.”

Pemayun added, “We will carry out regular monitoring, as a form of enforcing existing regulations, to check whether tourists have paid or not. For those who have paid, they will be allowed to enjoy their tour comfortably, and for those who haven’t, they will be directed to make payment at the location.”

It seems that most tourists are not too fussed about paying the extra IDR 150,000 fee; all they want is for the system to be functioning and streamlined.

Local tourism leaders, however, are keen to see that the newly generated funds are put to good use as soon as possible. 

Local politician Gus Wawan has spoken to reporters and emphasized the need for clear rules to organize the management of the levy funds so that the overall objectives can be achieved effectively and jealousy between tourism destinations can be avoided. 

Wawan wants to see tourism villages given as much support as possible to help keep the “Spirit of Bali’ alive and thriving.

He told reporters, “The priority is how to improve tourist villages. That is our target. We want to have direct contact with the community so that there is additional income. It is local but effective. There will be a lot of impact on the community.”