TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Bali Provincial Government launched the Foreign Tourist Tax (PWA) program on February 12 in Sanur, Denpasar. Foreign tourists traveling to the island will be subject to the new tourism levy of US$10 or about Rp150,000 starting February 14, 2024.

During the trial period from February 7, the regional government generated a revenue of Rp1.4 billion from the arrival of more than 9,000 foreign tourists.

Acting Bali Governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya said that the levy was introduced to safeguard the region's rich culture and natural environment. “This year, we will focus the funds from the levy mainly on waste management and cultural preservation,” he said.

The tourism tax applies to all visitors to mainland Bali and the surrounding islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. Foreigners arriving on the island from other Indonesian regions via domestic flights or land transportation are also required to pay the tourist tax. Children are not exempt from the tax.

In addition, the tax is charged per entry. This means that island hoppers planning a day trip (or longer) to nearby destinations outside of Bali, such as Lombok and Flores, will have to pay an additional Rp150,000 levy on their return.

This payment can be made directly at various entry points to Bali, including I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport and Benoa Harbor, or via the Love Bali app.

As previously reported, Bali's new tourist tax was introduced in July 2023 to preserve the island's culture, curb adverse effects of mass tourism, and generate additional funds as the province is heavily dependent on tourism.

ANTARA

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