Bali’s crisis with waste management is no secret.
In the last few weeks, tides, ocean waste, and river debris have landed on Bali’s most popular tourist beaches, putting the topic back on everyone’s lips.
Sustainable solutions are needed urgently.
The Bali Environment and Forestry Service (LHK) has put a plan together to make use of the funds generated by the Bali Tourism Tax that was introduced last month.
The new tourism tax means that all international tourists to the province pay IDR 150,000 to contribute to the preservation of culture and natural landscapes and the leveling up of tourism infrastructure.
Late last year, when the tourism tax was still in the discussion phase, the Acting Governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, announced that 50-70% of all tourism tax funds would be used to tackle Bali’s waste management issues.
Now, officers from the LHK have confirmed that they are designing an improved waste management system, building on the Reduce, Reuse Recycling Waste Processing Facilities (TPS3Rs) that are already in place.
The Head of the LHK Bali, I Made Teja, told reporters that he is now working on an operational costing model that can make use of funds generated by the tourism tax.
Teja explained that the LHR will receive tourism tax revenue, which will be used to improve the operations of TPS3R facilities.
Teja said “we hope that first, we are evaluating how we can use tourism tac fees, maybe we are using it by procuring three-walled vehicles for carrying rubbish, or something else, but we are still making a study first so we don’t make a mistake.”
When asked about the issue of trash on Bali’s most popular tourist beaches, Teja explained that LHK Bali is keen to focus on increasing the capacity of TPS3Rs around these areas.
There are 278 TSP3Rs in Bali, and 30% are within easy reach of tourism resorts. Yet across the island, tonnes of trash go directly to open landfill sites like Suwung TPA every single day.
Regardless of the plans and discussions in place, any use of tourism tax funds will have to wait until next year for them to be spent.
Even then, if current trends prevail, the funds projected to be raised by the tourism tax could fall markedly short of predictions.
Although the tourism tax has been a mandatory fee for all international tourists since 14th February, data shows that only 40% of eligible travelers have been paying their dues.
Leaders have acknowledged flaws in the system and have put new mitigations in place to help make it easier for tourists to pay their levy fees.
According to Tjok Bagus Pemayun, on average, 5,000 tourists pay their tourism tax every day. In the low season, Bali welcomes an average of 15,000 international tourists a day, increasing to 35,000 in the high season.
In light of this, the Tourism Satpol Police will continue to conduct patrols and spot checks in top tourism destinations across the island.
Tourists planning visits to Uluwatu, Tampaksiring near Ubud, Tanah Lot Temple, and Ulun Danu Beratan can expect to encounter the rangers on patrol.
They’re friendly and will be accompanied by their ‘tourist friend’ Kintamani puppies.
During spot checks, tourists will be asked to show and scan the QR code on their tourism tax levy voucher.
If they have not paid, they will be invited to do so there and then.
Spot checks will be conducted at the entrance and exits of top attractions so as not to interfere with the travel experience.
The Tourism Satpol Police are also on hand to assist tourists with anything they may need to have a safe and comfortable time on the island and maintain peace and order.
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Na Kolohe
Saturday 30th of March 2024
I hope this new tourist tax is used to clean up the pollution and they need to educate it's populous to change their bad habits, it's not just tourist who are to blame. We own a villa north of Ubud and we've witnessed locals dumping their trash along roadways and worst into irrigation canals and streams. Change is hard, but until they realize the harm to their precious environment this will stay the course.
Even
Wednesday 27th of March 2024
In time hope suksess. Even
Exp
Wednesday 27th of March 2024
Summary:
1) Bali (allegedly) fail to collect 60% of the potential tourist tax income so far. 2) Bali is unable to allocate spending of the tourist tax and start relevant projects until 2025.
I thought it was urgent to address the fact that Suwung landfill should have been closed and that current trash management is a shambles.
DK
Wednesday 27th of March 2024
Perhaps some of that tourism revenue could also be spent on providing ongoing resources and support to the amazing but few lifeguards safe guarding tourists from some of the dangerous rips and currents along Kuta, Legion and Seminyak beaches. No working radios (radio tower broken), no binoculars to help locate people in distress, no defibrillators for resuscitation, old waterlogged rescue boards, no coordinated rescue response plan. No clear signage about rips and currents. No rescue craft like jetski or runner ducky to help expedite rescues. Tourist just seem to take over when conscious or unconscious people are dragged out of the water. It doesn't have to be so dangerous and risky for tourists and locals to swim. The lifeguards are passionate, professional and knowledgeable but can only do so much.
J West
Wednesday 27th of March 2024
The officials have blamed the mess on everyone except the culprits. In this unbelievable scurry to fingerprint and blame government forgets to identify coral reefs, space junk and Russians as other guilty parties.