Indonesia Falls Behind Thailand, Vietnam in Attracting Foreign Tourists, Minister Warns

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno urged creative economy actors to be careful as Thailand and Vietnam have soared to top positions in attracting foreign tourists. 

“Be careful, since Thailand and Vietnam are above us now in attracting tourists,” Sandiaga said on Monday in Jakarta.

Concerning the foreign tourist tax in Bali, the minister emphasized that the program was intended to improve waste and sustainable environment management, and was not supposed to filter incoming tourists. 

“Criticism and obstacles are inevitable since the program is new, but we believe this program will have positive impacts on tourism in Bali and Indonesia in general,” he said.

The Bali provincial government will start implementing a new tourism levy of US$10 or about Rp150,000 starting February 14, 2024, through the Love Bali application.

Sandiaga also explained on Feb. 5, that the program was intended to realize quality and sustainable tourism. The tax, he said, will be used to manage waste issues and maintain cultural preservation in Bali.

Later, he said, foreign tourists would pay the fee once when they enter Indonesia and visit Bali through several transportation modes. “If they enter Bali, then they visit other regions and re-enter Bali, they are not eligible for the tax,” Sandiaga concluded.

DEFARA DHANYA | RACHEL FARAHDIBA | ANTARA

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