13 September 2024
Starting February 14, 2024, Bali has implemented a tourist levy of IDR 150,000 (approximately USD 10) for all international visitors. This levy is part of an initiative to support the preservation of Bali's cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism. Visitors can pay this fee online through the Love Bali website or app before their arrival, where they will receive a voucher with a QR code that can be scanned at checkpoints upon entry. Alternatively, visitors can pay at designated counters at the Bali International Airport, but only cashless transactions are accepted.
Certain visa categories are exempt, including diplomatic, official, KITAS/KITAP holders, family unification visas, and student visas. Other visa holders, such as those with Golden Visas, may need to apply for exemption through the official channels. The levy applies to all arrivals in Bali, including children, and must be paid for each entry into the island. Detail information is available on Review web "lovebali.baliprov.go.id"
BACKGROUND OF THE ENACTMENT OF THE REGIONAL REGULATION OF THE PROVINCE OF BALI NUMBER 6 OF 2023 CONCERNING LEVIES ON FOREIGN TOURISTS FOR THE PROTECTION OF BALI'S CULTURE AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
The unique characteristics of Bali's nature, people, and culture form a cohesive system of community life based on traditional customs, religion, traditions, arts, and local wisdom. This has made Bali, though small, a place of distinctiveness, uniqueness, beauty, and profound spiritual value. The blend of natural beauty and cultural uniqueness, rooted in the Sad Kerthi philosophy, stands as Bali's primary tourism strength, bringing joy to local, national, and international communities.
Bali's development as a leading national and international tourist destination has contributed positively to Bali and Indonesia. However, it has also brought significant negative impacts. The foundations of Bali's tourism-nature, people, and culture-have experienced massive and systemic changes, resulting in the degradation of Bali's natural environment, human resources, and cultural heritage. Hence, continuous efforts are needed to honor, protect, and preserve these aspects.
To minimize the loss of Bali's culture and further environmental damage, concrete efforts involving all stakeholders in Bali tourism are required. These efforts include the enhancement, protection, and preservation of culture and the natural environment, along with the development of quality infrastructure and public transport facilities in a planned, directed, structured, measurable, and sustainable manner. The goal is to re-establish Bali as Padma Bhuwana, a beautiful, sacred, and spiritually powerful center of world civilization.
Integrated protection of Bali's culture and environment requires restoration, conservation, and revitalization programs supported by adequate funding. Participation from the people of Bali, tourism stakeholders, and foreign tourists is essential in supporting these efforts. Law Number 15 of 2023 on Bali Province grants the Provincial Government of Bali the authority to generate funding through levies on foreign tourists, regulated by this regional regulation.
The implementation of this levy aligns with the principles of fairness, equity, transparency, accountability, utility, participation, cooperation, and sustainability. The funds collected will be managed responsibly, transparently, and accountably, and used to enhance the quality of tourism services, infrastructure, and public transport facilities in Bali. This regulation is expected to provide a strong legal basis to encourage the active role of foreign tourists in protecting Bali's culture and environment sustainably.