Bali Introduces New Tourism Tax to Protect Its Culture And Nature

While most of the world celebrated Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, exotic Bali introduced a new tourist tax to be levied on international visitors. According to the official Bali tourism website, the new tax is aimed at helping the province to protect its natural environment and its culture.

Bali levies tourism tax for international visitors

In March 2023, we reported that Bali was cracking down on illegal workers and tourists on motorcycles. In June of the same year, Bali introduced three new rules that could affect travelers on their next vacation. Now, the exotic and romantic destination has gone one further by introducing a tourist tax for international visitors.

The new tourist tax of just under $10 is now being charged by Bali’s provincial government, starting on February 14, 2024. According to the official tourism website, Love Bali, the new tax is aimed at helping the province to protect its natural environment and its culture.

According to the website, the new tax will benefit travelers by improving the quality of services. The website reads:

As a form of support that aims to protect the customs, traditions, arts and culture, and local wisdom of the Balinese people…Bali will impose [a] levy for the international tourist. Efforts and innovations will continue to be made for maintenance [of] the culture and the natural environment in Bali. There will also continue to be an improvement in the quality of services.

Who is exempt from paying the new tax?

While the tourist tax applies to all international visitors, there are some exemptions available. The website lists various visas that must be applied for in advance of a visit. Any traveler who holds any of the visas listed below can apply for an exemption via Bali’s official tourism website:

• Diplomatic and official visas
• Crew members of conveyances
• Temporary and permanent stay visas (KITAS and KITAP visas)
• Family unification visa
• Student visa
• Golden visa
• Other visas issued by the immigration office unrelated to travel or tourism.

How to pay the tourism tax for Bali

Travelers can pay for the new tourism tax on the official Bali tourism website. Meanwhile, officials warn visitors to only use that platform, as there could be scammers pretending to collect the tax. Should any visitor not pay the tax in advance, it can also be paid at the airport or harbor terminals on arrival in the province.

The subject of implementing a tourism tax was first introduced by Indonesian officials last year following a string of incidents involving badly behaved tourists. In April 2023, the province’s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister, Sandiago Uno, said the introduction of the tax was under review.

However, business groups opposed the tax, based on fears that this could lead to tourists not visiting Bali. Meanwhile, for anyone wishing to visit this exotic destination, $10 is a small amount to pay for vacationing in paradise.