Bali Struggles Collecting New Tax As Only 40% Tourists Paying

Posted on March 28, 2024 by David No Comments

As of February 14, 2024, a levy of Rp150 thousand per person (around US$9.50) has been issued for foreign tourists. Whilst this was enacted in February, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno has said that only 40 percent of tourists have actually paid the tourist levy.

At the ‘Weekly Brief with Sandi Uno’ in Jakarta on Monday, March 25 Minister Uno announced this news and added that the ministry will boost its information dissemination to recoup the full ley amount.

Through ministries, institutions, airlines and prominent stakeholders in the tourism sector, the Ministry is hoping to spread information to all incoming travelers. They will also share the information with Indonesia’s main tourism markets, namely Australia, Singapore, India, and Malaysia.

While the focus has been on tourists arriving at international gates in Bali, connecting routes and other entry gates have not been covered yet, according to Bali’s Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun.

To boost the collection of the levy, booths at domestic arrival routes, both Jakarta and other destinations, have been proposed to better enforce. The sums accumulated from the levy will be used for the protection of culture and nature as well as for waste management in Bali.

Funds to be used to address the trash beach problem

Photos Of Bali's Beach Buried Under Tons Of Trash Go Viral

This has come to light as over the past several weeks tons of debris and waste have landed on Bali’s popular tourist beaches. They will be using the funds to improve the Reduce, Reuse Recycling Waste Processing Facilities (TPS3Rs) that are already in place.

How to pay

All tourists must pay the levy through the Love Bali system via the lovebali.baliprov.go.id or the Love Bali app before arrival. There are however seven categories of tourists who are exempt from paying the levy: