Australia Gives Backing To Bali To Improve Tourist Behaviour

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For over a decade, the most frequent international arrivals in Bali have been Australian holidaymakers. With the special relationship set to endure for many more years to come, Australian leaders have met with Balinese authorities to recommit to nourishing the longstanding collaboration, with a special focus on tourism. 

The Bali Provincial Government and the Australian Consulate have announced that they will be working together in new ways to help encourage positive behavior from Australian tourists visiting the province.

As Bali continues its battle against unruly tourists and criminally inclined foreigners, Australia has pledged to play its part in ensuring law, order, peace, and harmony for all. 

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Australian Consulate-General Jo Stevens has met with the Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, to reaffirm the special relationship and find new ways to better communicate to tourists what is expected of them during their time on the Island of the Gods. 

Pemayun told reporters “I am pleased that the Australian Consulate General in Bali is very supportive of our efforts to encourage respectful tourist behavior. He noted how for Australian tourists Bali is often considered a home away from home, and for many thousands of people, really is a second home in which they are building a new life outside of Australia. 

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Pemayun explained, “Bali is like a second home for Australians and we encourage all forge in tourists to respect Bali’s culture, and laws and protect the natural environment.”

Consul General Stevens told reporters of the Australian Government’s support for the Bali Provincial government and its teams. She gave her approval to the list of do’s and don’ts as outlined by the Bali Government to help tourists obey Indonesian law and respect Balinese culture.

She told reporters “This is a very clear and useful guide for visitors to this beautiful island. I encourage all Australians to respect Bali’s unique culture and follow the do’s and don’t for a safe and enjoyable visit.”

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In 2024, over 1.5 million Australian tourists visited Bali. Stevens revealed that for the most part the Australian Consulate General does not have to get involved, nor offer consular assistance.

She added “It shoes that the vast majority of Australians are enjoying a fun, safe and trouble-free holidays in Bali, supporting the local culture, economy; a trend we want to see continue.”

Stevens pointed Australian tourists to the Smarttraveler website to receive up-to-date government-issued travel advice for all of Indonesia, including Bali.

The Australian Consulate General in Bali will continue to work closely with the Bali Provincial Government and Bali Tourism Office to create social media campaigns to help better communicate to tourists all that they need to know before traveling to Bali, and how to ensure that they enjoy a culturally respectful vacation. 

The list of do’s and don’ts for Bali travel was first published back in 2023. The list of twelve obligations and eight prohibited behaviours were created by Governor Wayan Koster during his first term in office.

As he starts his second term in office, the Governor wants to reissue the guidelines and create more informational campaigns to help tourists understand that they must obey the law of the land. 

The rules include that tourists must respect the holy, sacred nature of Balinese temples and all other religious symbols on the island. 

The ‘do’s’ also explain that tourists must dress modestly and respectfully, especially when wearing appropriate clothing when visiting holy places, tourist attractions, and public spaces. 

The list of don’ts explains that tourists must not engage in illegal activities such as trading flora and fauna, cultural artifacts, or sacred objects or trading in illegal goods, including illegal drugs, as well as obeying the conditions of their residency permits or visa. The full list of Bali’s Do’s and Don’ts can be found here.