Australian tourists could soon be banned from Bali under visitor cap restrictions
Caps on tourist numbers in Bali could mean an application process that would complicate Australia’s tradition of flying to the idyllic destination.
Holidaymakers may have to meet certain criteria before being allowed to enter the Indonesian island, as the government seeks to impose restrictions to prioritize ‘quality’ tourists over ‘quantity’.
Restricting visitor numbers is just one of many changes being implemented as locals lose patience with rambunctious and rumbling foreigners who disrespect local customs and sacred sites.
The idyllic holiday destination of Bali could become a lot more complicated to travel to as officials introduce a range of measures to reduce visitor behaviour, including limits on tourist numbers
Bali has long been seen as a party destination for Aussies, with thousands visiting the island each year, but locals lose patience for ‘arrogant’ visitors (pictured, a tourist being detained in Bali)
Bali has a population of 4.3 million, but there were 6.3 million visitors in 2019 before travel was interrupted by the Covid pandemic.
The steady increase in the number of tourists – down from less than 2 million in 2008 – has ggovernment officials feared that the number would skyrocket in the coming years.
The sheer number of visitors pouring in coupled with the island’s reputation as a party hotspot has led to a series of controversies.
Earlier this year, a tourist filmed herself naked at a sacred Hindu site. The episode was just one of a series of similar incidents.
Another tourist was seen shouting at a religious ritual outside and lashing out at security officers.
While yet another group of travelers made an official complaint about roosters crowing in the early morning, enraging Bali residents who depend on the fowl for their livelihood.
A figure of seven million tourists is taken into account for the limit, which could create stiff competition for places as Bali is increasingly known around the world as a holiday destination for those on a budget.
Indonesia’s government is trying to crack down on unruly tourists by handing out ‘do’ and ‘don’t’ cards to anyone passing through Bali’s airport (pictured)
In recent months, the holiday island has taken several measures against misbehaving tourists
Applicants would be required to demonstrate that they have enough funds to cover their entire journey in order to successfully gain entry, while the slightest difficulty could lead to a ban on returning.
The island’s governor, Wayan Koster, told local media: ‘These foreigners are very arrogant, but I am not anti-foreigners.
‘An extensive evaluation is needed to regulate the entry of foreign tourists.
‘For example, a limit of seven million people could be envisaged based on certain criteria.’
According to Koster, the island should focus on ‘quality tourism’.
“This is to preserve Balinese culture and local wisdom, which must be dignified,” he said.
The island has already banned a number of tourists from driving mopeds for anti-social behaviour.
Marita Daniell (pictured center) has been kicked out of Bali despite living there for 23 years after beating officers who stopped her for not wearing a helmet while riding a scooter on a road in Canggu, a holiday resort on the south coast of the island.
A tourist tax is also being considered by President Joko Widodo’s administration which would be between $45 and $150 and would have the dual effect of increasing the island’s revenue and increasing the level of visitors.
“Tourist tax revenues would help fund a range of measures and prevent Bali from being known only as a low-cost destination,” said Bali Tourism Board chairman Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana.
‘Cheap destinations attract cheap tourists who often cause a lot of problems.’
While Bali is less strict than the rest of Indonesia, the island is very conservative with many locals frowning at excessive drinking or scantily clad social media photos at temples.
According to the Indonesian Hotel General Managers Association, foreigners acting as tour guides or renting out scooters, taking money from local businesses, have also become a problem.
The chairman of the Bali Province Regional People’s Legislative Council (DPRD Bali) agreed that the island should focus on attracting well-behaved visitors.
“We need tourists, but tourists who are stylish, not tourists who throw tantrums,” Nyoman Adi Wiryatama told provincial leaders at a rally, according to The Bali Sun.
The tourism board announced plans on March 7 to use billboards to raise awareness and teach tourists how to behave in cultural settings.
Authorities have confirmed that a minimum of 10 large billboards written in English will be installed in places where most violations occur, including Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, Canggu, Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua and Uluwatu.
Just last week, a German tourist was filmed naked disrupting a traditional Balinese dance performance
And just this week it was announced that a total of 12 do’s and eight don’ts on cards will be handed to tourists upon arrival on the island, relating to tradition, religion and local law.
Under the “don’ts list,” tourists are told not to defile sacred sites or pollute the island, such as throwing rubbish into the waterways.
Under the dos list, tourists are told to respect customs, dress modestly, and behave politely at holy sites.
Anggiat Napitupulu, head of the regional office of Bali’s Ministry of Law and Human Rights, said the cards will be inserted into passports when travelers present them to immigration.
“The map shows what is and what is not allowed in Bali,” he said.
Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, an influential senior Indonesian politician, has now stressed that Bali should focus on ‘quality tourism’ rather than ‘mass tourism’