Bali is one of the most unique travel destinations in the world, but it also shares its struggles with the world’s most in-demand tourism hotspots.
From Madrid to Bangkok, managing mass tourism to benefit tourists, local people, businesses, and the environment presents many challenges.
Venice is the world’s latest destination to reconsider its tourism policy. The city’s new mayor has told the press that he has ambitious, and highly controversial plans, to increase the daily entry fee for day visitors to EUR 50, which is about USD 57.
Venice’s new mayor is former tourism councillor, Simone Venturini. Back in 2024, Venice broke records as becoming the first city in the world to implement a pay-per-day entry fee.
Tourism tax initiatives have been in place all over the world for some time, but this was the first of its kind. The city tourism entry fee was introduced at EUR 5 for 29 days across the peak season calendar from April to July.
In 2026, the fee is now in place for 60 dates across the peak season, but Venturini wants to take it a step further. The tax has proven hugely profitable for Venice, generating EUR 2.4 million in its first year alone.
There are hopes that in time the fee will eventually help tackle the risk of overtures in the city, which holds a UNESCO World Heritage protected status.
As part of his recent election campaign, Venturini vowed to increase the daily entry fees to €30 and €50, depending on the dates and demand.
The fee, similar to the Bali Tourism Tax Levy, is payable online, and tourists are subsequently issued a QR code that they must show to tourism officers upon request. Overnight tourists do not have to pay the fee, though hotel taxes are increased in their overnight accommodation charges.
Venturini said, “The admission fee is currently the only effective tool to control daily visitor numbers. We are therefore working on a proposal to make it more effective on high-traffic days, with the aim of finding a new balance between the needs of residents, workers, and visitors.”
While the Venice model has some similarities to the Bali Tourism Tax Levy, there are some marked differences.
The Bali Tourism Tax Levy is a one-time payment for all international tourists visiting the province. It is priced at a moderate IDR 150,000 per person and is valid for the whole stay.
The easiest way for tourists to make the payment is via the LoveBali website or app, though there are pay stations at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, and payments can also be made at a number of travel agents on the island.
The issue that leaders in Bali have been having with the Bali Tourism Tax Levy is compliance. Although introduced back in 2024, as few as 35% of tourists have been making the payment. This led to Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster issuing a statement to tourists last month.
He shared “I, Wayan Koster, Governor of Bali, would like to express my highest gratitude and appreciation to all Foreign Tourists who have contributed by paying the Foreign Tourist Levy amounting to IDR 150,000, which has been implemented since February, 2024.”
In concluding his letter Governor Koster called tourists to take their responsibly as guests to the island seriously.
He wrote “In pursuit of these noble goals, I, Wayan Koster, Governor of Bali, representing the Government and the people of Bali, respectfully encourage all Foreign Tourists who love Bali to take part in preserving Bali and enhancing the competitiveness of Bali’s tourism through contributions to the Foreign Tourist Levy.”
While leaders in Bali are not yet talking about reform for the Bali Tourism Tax Levy, if tourists don’t get on board, they may have little option but to take more drastic action, which could impact tourists’ travel budgets.
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