TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bali Provincial Government will officially impose a tourism tax for foreign tourists starting February 14, 2024. Each foreign visitor will have to pay US$10 or Rp150,000.

The payment will be implemented through an app dubbed Love Bali introduced by the Bali Regional Government. This policy aims at overcoming the waste problem in Bali better, preserving Balinese culture, and purifying Balinese customs.

The policy also becomes one of the solutions for the over-tourism issue on the Island of the Gods. However, this regulation will certainly not reduce the interest of foreign tourists who want to travel drastically. The policy is considered to be supported by tourists as preserving culture and the environment in Bali must also be a top priority.

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno in July 2023 is optimistic that the policy will increase Bali’s tourism quality as the conservation budget would be guaranteed from the contribution of the visitors.

Sandiaga said the implementation of this program would require a huge cost, therefore, collaborative cooperation from all parties is needed. The government would immediately monitor the levy payment policy from the ratification process to its implementation.

Bali Tourism Association asked for a transparent management of the foreign visitor tax collection funds. Considering the purpose of the regulation is for cultural and environmental preservation, it must be right on target and not for the interests of a few parties.

The Love Bali app for foreign tourist tax payments is expected to enable users to easily make payments and understand the importance of nature and cultural conservation which is the main focus of this policy.

SAVINA RIZKY HAMIDA | MILA NOVITA| MARTHA WARTA SILABAN

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