Aussies heading to Bali could be forced to pay an extra $150 as the holiday island appears to discourage ‘cheap tourists’ with a new tax
- Vacationers to Bali may soon have to pay an additional $150
- Tax is intended to raise the quality of the island’s visitors
Australians holidaying in Bali could soon be hit with an additional $150 fee as the Indonesian government considers a ‘tourist tax’ to discourage unruly behaviour.
The tax being considered by President Joko Widodo’s administration would be between $45 and $150 and would have the dual effect of boosting the island’s revenue and increasing the level of visitors.
The holiday hotspot relies on foreign money, but after a few quiet years, Indonesians seem to be losing patience with rambunctious and rumbling tourists flocking back to their shores post-Covid.
“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.’
Tourists wishing to travel to Bali (pictured) may be forced to pay an additional $150 in tourist tax
Indonesian officials said the tax would raise the quality of tourists and prevent the island from being seen as a “cheap” destination
Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno confirmed that the tax was under consideration, but said the government was still in the discussion phase.
The levy would apply to all tourists from any country who wish to travel to Bali.
In March, the Bali Tourism Board also announced it was considering other measures to improve visitor behaviour, such as a tourism handbook and billboards around the island explaining what is considered acceptable.
While Bali is less strict than the rest of Indonesia, the country 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.
In 2023, 101 foreigners have been deported from Bali due to a combination of unacceptable behavior and visa issues.
Russians are the most deported at 27, followed by eight British citizens, seven each from Nigeria and the US, and six from Australia.
In addition to unruly partying and loitering, there have been complaints from tourists disrespecting local temples