A leading Indonesian politician is pushing to bring more ‘stylish’ tourists to Bali amid bad behavior from foreign visitors.
In recent months, the resort island has cracked down on misbehaving tourists, with a proposal to prevent foreigners from using motorcycles and instructing hotel workers to teach non-local residents.
Bali has long been seen as a party destination for Aussies, with thousands visiting the island every year.
However, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, an influential senior Indonesian politician, has now stressed that Bali should focus on ‘quality tourism’ rather than ‘mass tourism’.
In recent months, the holiday island has taken tough action against misbehaving tourists
Bali has long been seen as a party destination for Aussies, with thousands visiting the island every year
“I also request that the introduction of a tax on tourists entering Indonesia be implemented immediately,” he wrote in an Instagram post this week, according to an English translation by local news outlet Coconuts Bali.
“This incentive will be very useful for funding destination development and tourism promotion, as has been implemented in several countries with major tourism industries.
‘I also request direct research into discouragement policies for foreign nationals from several countries who are often problematic. This is important to ensure that incoming tourists are properly selected.’
The politician is the Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment.
However, known to the locals as ‘Lord Luhut’, he now believes that prices in Bali should be raised, as low cost is part of the reason so many people visit the island.
“This has encouraged many low-income foreign visitors to come to Bali, leading to an increase in unruly behavior,” he said.
Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, an influential senior Indonesian politician, has now stressed that Bali should focus on ‘quality tourism’ rather than ‘mass tourism’
Last week, the chairman of the Bali Province Regional People’s Legislative Council (DPRD Bali) made a similar remark.
“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.
On Monday, Indonesia’s director-general of immigration, Silmy Karim, also revealed that 620 foreigners have already been deported from Indonesia this year.
Their crimes included misusing visas and residence permits, overstaying, disturbing public order, misbehaving and not complying with Indonesian regulations.
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.
“My instructions are very clear, enforce the law correctly and humanely. There is no room for compromise for foreigners who disrupt security and order as well as the wheels of the people’s economy,” he said.
It was revealed this week that an Australian who has lived in Bali for 23 years has been deported after being filmed harassing police over a $25 fine for riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Marita Daniell was kicked out of Indonesia on Friday after a video emerged of her assaulting an officer who had apprehended her in North Kuta for not wearing a helmet.
A video shared online in early March shows the woman arguing with the police officer who blocked the path of her bike.
The officer tries to get the woman to pull her scooter off the road, as riding a motorcycle without a helmet is illegal.
Pointing and gesticulating furiously at the officer, the woman yells “it’s not my fault” and claims her helmet was stolen.
Balinese police confirmed the woman was an Australian citizen and fined IDR $2,506 – the equivalent of AUD $25.