Planning To Visit Bali? Pay Rs 800 In E-Tax To Preserve Culture Of The 'Island Of Gods'
Indonesia's Bali, one of the most popular travel destinations in the world has started levying a tax on foreign tourists arriving there.
The e-tax of 150,000 rupiah ($10 or Rs 830) came into effect on February 14 and will have to be paid electronically through the "Love Bali" online portal.
Why e-tax on foreign tourists
According to the authorities, the new fee is aimed at preserving the culture of the "Island of Gods".
"This levy is aimed at the protection of the culture and the environment in Bali," Bali's acting governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya said at a launch ceremony Monday.
The fee will be applicable to all foreign tourists including those reaching Bali directly or entering from other parts of Indonesia.
Tourism in Bali
According to the World Tourism Organization, Bali was the third most popular travel destination in the world in 2023. Around 4.8 million tourists visited Bali between January and November last year.
Bali's problem of too many tourists?
Like many other tourist places in the world, in recent years, Bali, which is also known as the Island of Gods has been dealing with the issue of overtourism -- a phenomenon where there is more tourist demand than the carrying capacity of the destination.?
In recent years, there has also been an increase in incidents where tourists were seen indulging in inappropriate acts, including posing naked at sacred religious sites and flashing in the street, prompting the authorities to crack down on such behaviour.
The administration first proposed the tax on foreign tourists last July and also published an etiquette guide for tourists who wish to visit Bali.
How Venice is cracking down on overtourism
It is not just Bali, that has tried to control overtourism with entry restrictions and extra fees.
Venice, one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world has introduced a €5 (Rs 450) entry fee for day visitors from April 25, 2024. The entry fee must be paid by everyone over 14 years old.
The city has also put a cap on the number of people that can be part of a guided group tour to 25.
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