Bali’s Government decided last year that they would launch an exciting feature sometime in 2024 called a Tourism Levy that would need to be paid by international visitors every time they enter Bali.
The Government has now set Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2024) as the day this tourism tax will take effect. All international visitors, even if they arrive as domestic passengers from other parts of the country, need to pay this fee.
You can access the Bali Government’s page for this fee information here.
The fee is separate from other fees visitors may have to pay to enter Indonesia, such as Visa, VOA, or eVOA. The Bali government collects this tourism levy intended to “preserve local culture.”
It is not clear where arriving passengers are to show the payment confirmation. Will the Government hire hundreds of employees to manage the various seaports and the airport to ensure that the payment has been made? How can they determine who is Indonesian, exempt from this fee, and who is a foreigner? Will they have a document check on everyone entering the island to ensure that the fee is paid by all who are required?
Also, some foreigners with long-term visas are excluded from this fee, but it appears that they need to apply for exemptions 30 days before arrival in Bali.
Usually, these various tourism levies and fees are baked into airfares, but exempting Indonesians from this form of fee collection would be challenging.
Love Bali invites you to join in supporting the tourism industry, with a focus on protecting the culture and natural environment of Bali.
As a form of support that aims to protect the customs, traditions, arts and culture, and local wisdom of the Balinese people. Bali will impose levy for the international tourist.
Efforts and innovations will continue to be made for maintenance the culture and the natural environment in Bali. There will also continue to be an improvement in the quality of services.
If Bali’s Government really aimed to protect the customs and traditions, they would stop the overdevelopment of hotels and other short-term accommodations aimed at visitors that are putting a tremendous toll on the island’s infrastructure and nature.
Bali Government’s Tourism Levy Information:
Recent Bali & Indonesia Coverage:
Indonesia Prepares To Return Visa Free Entry Option For 20 Countries + ASEAN From Early 2024
Indonesia Leaks Passport Information Of 9 Million Foreigners
Indonesia Extends VOA & e-VOA For Nationals Of 93 Countries
Indonesia Ends Visa-Free Entry From 159 Countries
Australians Complain About Extremely Long Immigration Lines At Bali Airport
Indonesia’s Lawmakers Passed Law Banning Sex Outside Of Marriage & Cohabitation
Entering Indonesia Through Bali In May 2022
Conclusion
Tourism is vital for Bali’s economy, and the Government wanted to pilot away from it during the pandemic to farming and agriculture (a novel idea).
The small fee won’t deter any tourist from entering the island, but why make it so complicated? Have it included in air and sea fares and be done with it.
Now, tourists need to remember to pay another fee, and there could be yet another set of queue lines when entering Bali to check that the Tourism Levy has been paid or to check your nationality. Or are they going to install automated gates for airport and seaport exits?
I didn’t return to Bali in 2023 (I was there most recently in 2022), but I plan to visit the island likely in March.