The Bali Provincial Government has confirmed that they will be implementing stricter rules regarding the Bali Tourism Tax Levy.
The mandatory tourism tax was introduced on the 14th of February, 2024, but with over 60% of tourists failing to pay their way, leaders want to crack down on tourists dodging the IDR 150,000 fee.
Speaking to reporters, the Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, explained that the incoming provincial government will revise the Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 6 of 2023 concerning Levies for Foreign Tourists policy.
When the policy was introduced it was implemented as a legal requirement for all international tourists visiting the region, however, the policy did not list any punishments, or fines for tourists found to be dodging the fee.
With the combination of no incentive to pay and the payment process being viewed by many as an additional hassle while planning a vacation to the island, there have been very few people who have made their contribution.
Pemayun has confirmed that the government is working seriously on introducing punishments for those who do not pay the fee.
He explained, “This means that we will discuss this sanction again, now to be more specific about what is meant by the prohibition of tourism. Now, we want to emphasize the sanction again.”
Earlier this year, when early data sets revealed just 40% of tourists were paying the fee, leaders discussed introducing large fines and even jail time for those caught not paying the tax.
Back in September 2024, the Acting Governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, told reporters, “If there are no sanctions, no, we can’t do anything if they don’t pay. In the future, there will be sanctions with a minimum penalty of ten times (the tourism tax fee) or a week of imprisonment; they must pay.” Though no policy changes have been implemented yet.
The Acting Governor shared his understanding with tourists who may not know about the program or are overwhelmed with the number of things they have to arrange and navigate upon arrival on the island.
He explained, “The travel time for overseas flights is [on average] five to six hours; how many hours have they spent in the VoA queue, then immigration, then customs, now the Bali Tourism Office? How many hours do they have to queue at the airport?”
Pemayun did concede, however, that more can be done to make it easier for tourists to pay the fee, especially prior to their arrival in the province.
He explained, “Of the 40 percent [who have paid], 90 percent have paid before arriving in Bali or even more.” He revealed that by the start of December 2024, the Bali Provincial Government had received IDR 300 billion in tourism tax revenue, around USD 185 million.
He also shared his observation that most tourists are still unaware of the IDR 150,000 mandatory fee. While there is a dedicated payment counter at the arrivals hall at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, it is easy for tourists to walk past.
Though it is possible to pay the Bali Tourism Tax Levy online prior to arrival in Bali via the LoveBali website or app, it’s not a widely advertised scheme. Marketing and communication initiatives from the Bali Provincial Government have often been short-lived.
Leaders have called for more cooperation from within the tourism industry and have requested that accommodation providers and travel agents do more to communicate the mandatory tax to guests.
The Bali Provincial Government has been conducting spot checks on tourists at the island’s leading cultural landmarks, including destinations like Tanah Lot Temple. Tourists should have their QR-code vouchers easily accessible in case they are stopped by Bali Tourism Office staff.
Should tourists be found not to have paid the Bali Tourism Tax Levy fee, they will be asked to pay the tax on the spot via card. Tourists can make their IDR 150,000 contribution on the Love Bali website before arriving in Bali to make sure they are on the right side of the law.
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