In a bid to attract more ‘high-quality tourists’, leaders in Bali are seriously considering introducing a daily tourism tax for all foreign visitors.
Leaders in Bali have long idolized the tightly controlled tourism model of Bhutan, where international tourists must pay USD 100 per day as part of the Sustainable Development Fee.

From Indonesia’s ex-tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno to Bali’s most famous senator Ni Luh Djelantik, leaders in the country have long held Bhutan’s tourism model in high regard.
The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan has implemented a highly organized and tightly structured tourism model that has been designed to promote the country’s national interests of preserving culture and the natural landscape while sharing its unique heritage with a small and highly invested demographic of travelers.
Bhutan’s tourism model requires visitors to apply for a visa in advance of travel, and while the visa allows stays of up to 90 days and costs USD 40, adult travelers must contribute an additional USD 100 per day in Sustainable Development Fees.
At the time of application, tourists must confirm their arrival and departure dates, confirm their itinerary and travel plans for the duration of their trip, which in almost all cases is delivered by a guided tour provider. They must also ignore the Pledge of Friendship, and in doing so visitors commit to protecting, preserving and positively contributing to the Kingdom of Bhutan.
In the event of a change of plans and tourists leave the county earlier than expected, their Sustainable Development Fee for the days their trip was reduced is refunded; tourists are also permitted to extend their stays after arrival, for the same USD 100 per day fee plus Bhutan is also very clear in how, where and why it utilizes the funds generated by tourists through the Sustainable Development Fee.
Bhutan explains “The SDF is collected by the national exchequer and funds are allocated to various projects that create long-term, sustainable opportunities for the Bhutanese people, through free healthcare, education and training, upskilling the tourism and hospitality industry, improved infrastructure, environmental preservation and conservation, cultural preservation programs and initiatives that support local businesses and economies.”
The Bhutan model of tourism is heralded by many around the world as the way in which truly sustainable tourism should be implemented, but many feel that Bali is a long way from attaining such a system. A year ago this month Bali introduced its Tourism Tax Levy, an IDR 150,000 mandatory fee for all international tourists.
Over the last 12 months it’s been revealed that due to poor enforcement and communication around the policy, less than 40% of all international arrivals paid the fee. In January 2025 the Indonesian Ombudsman confirmed that it would be investigating allegations of mismanagement within the tourism sector, specifically focusing on the Bali Tourism Tax Levy.

The Head of Bali Marginal Tourism Alliance, Puspa Negara, has spoken to reporters conveying his support for the introduction of the Bhutan style tourism model, including a daily tourism tax.
He called for more policies that help increase the overall quality of Bali’s tourism offering.

Back in 2023, Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster sparked a fierce debate amongst the travel industry after he proposed that the province introduce a tourism quota to help control the number of international visitors allowed into the region annually.
The quota, which was proposed to sit in the millions of tourists, was never formally written into policy. Though, as Governor Koster this week embarks on his second term in office, many new police updates, ideas, and solutions to long-standing issues are to be expected.

For now, it remains the case that tourists traveling to Bali must pay their IDR 150,000 Bali Tourism Tax Levy fee before they depart from the island. The fee can be paid on arrival at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, or online at the LoveBali website, or on the LoveBali app.
Upon completing the payment tourists are issued with a QR-code voucher that they must keep close by during their visit to the island in case they are asked to present proof of payment to tourism officers.
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Tamara
Wednesday 5th of March 2025
I'm concerned about the USD 100 per day fee. Is the intention to cater only to wealthy individuals? I've been saving money for the past five years to take my daughter to Bali, which has been on my bucket list. Now that she's 10, we planned to visit. Does anyone realize how expensive this is? If I have to pay USD 100 per day for a two-week visit, it would be like buying another plane and hotel ticket for one person more ! I hope the government understands that not all visitors to Bali are wealthy individuals.
Viktor Z
Wednesday 12th of March 2025
@Peter,
You’ve to follow the context what dear Sven concerns but aware of your poor ‘command of English’ you may have problems with the meaning of ‘context’…
And ‘manners’ is something you definitely don’t understand yourself 🥱
Peter
Sunday 9th of March 2025
@Sven, how true you these people onevery corner in kuta legian seminyak sitting around smoking eyeing off everyone that walks on bye
Peter
Sunday 9th of March 2025
@Nyoman, the village idiot
Peter
Sunday 9th of March 2025
@Viktor Z, aren't you a piece of work mate learn some manners you halfwit
Viktor Z
Sunday 9th of March 2025
@Sven,
Hear, hear, gauleiter Sven is humming his white supremacy mantra’s from IKEA country …
How are the suicide rates these days among the Nordic Übermenschen ?
Goodluck
Wednesday 5th of March 2025
Destruction of culture and customs is more of internal problem with lack of policing of tourists and construction in Bali's southern districts. Charging tourists more money won't make a dent in the worsening condition but may assist the traffic issue. Money, money, money!
J .s.
Wednesday 5th of March 2025
Ya bali not that great .lift the covers up money changes everything . Uang satu nomor di bali. Sad they will learn the hard way selling balis soul.
Ruud Vorster
Wednesday 5th of March 2025
Every 10us Dlrs a day , will reduce the amount of visitors by 10% so a 100dlrs a day is just about right to make Bali bankroet,having said that it will be already at 50%.Also reading the comments,a lot of people mention the garbish on the island
Duke
Wednesday 5th of March 2025
Dear Bali Officials, Please spend the billions of USD you make on tourism each year and reinvest it in your infrastructure. Invest in training your police force to a professional level. Punish taking bribes severely. Educated your population that tossing trash into the river is not okay. The problems you face are not insurmountable. It just takes a bit of vision, money, hard work and organizational skills.
Viktor Z
Wednesday 12th of March 2025
@Andrew,
Fighting ghosts? Simpletons are not worth a ‘fight’
And what ‘help’ concerns, are you projecting?
Andrew
Monday 10th of March 2025
@Viktor Z, Seek help, you are fighting ghosts
Viktor Z
Thursday 6th of March 2025
@Duke,
A Trumpy knows ofcourse everything about vision, hard work and organizational skills.. Imagine the hi-end infrastructure of the US of A on the Balinese map, the advanced police departments and low crime figures in God’s Own Country..
And there’s also Elon who could advice concerned and involved compatriots on the island to bypass the Balinese authorities and get things done.
These Visionaries should be rewarded by changing Laut Bali into Sea of America..