Travel News: There May Be A New Tourism tax in Bali in 2023!

Indonesia is considering introducing a tourism tax in Bali in response to a run of events involving unruly travelers.

According to The Guardian and other outlets, the potential of such a levy is now being examined, according to the nation’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno. Uno told reporters that he anticipates the review’s conclusion within the next several weeks, allowing for the making of a choice.

Business organizations have opposed the planned fee out of concern that it would discourage tourists from coming at all. That would be a difficult blow for Bali’s tourism industry at a time when it is trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects.

About the Tourism tax in Bali

The idea for such a tax has been floated before. Luhut Pandjaitan, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, proposed such a step earlier this month. According to Pandjaitan, Bali is among the most affordable tourist destinations in the world, which attracts “many low-income foreign visitors…leading to a rise in unruly behavior.” Pandjaitan proposed that the island change its emphasis from mass tourism to developing into a destination for high-quality tourism.

Behavior Of Tourists in Bali

Bali is a renowned location known for its stunning natural scenery, terraced rice fields, and fantastic surfing chances. The place received roughly 6.2 million foreign visitors annually prior to the outbreak. The local economy on the island is thought to have been made up of approximately 60% tourism, according to The Guardian.

Due to the negative effects of disrespectful tourists, Bali has been experiencing a considerable influx of visitors. Locals have become more incensed at tourists’ bad behavior, which has ranged from tourists stripping off at holy places for Instagram photos to tourists driving recklessly on public highways.

“It was acceptable up to a point, but it has now gone too far,” Justin Smith, the proprietor of a high-end travel agency, told The Washington Post. “There is a complete lack of respect for the location, and the fact that Bali was pushed to that extent shows just how widespread this bad behavior is.

Why The Tourism Tax in Bali is Being Proposed?

One of the newest strategies being examined to deal with the island’s worsening issue with rowdy visitors is the proposed tourism tax. The island is also attempting to put in place changes that would limit the number of visitors and nudge those who do travel there to act more appropriately.

This new initiative is described in a recent advertising campaign that the tourism board launched. Additionally, the island only recently announced plans to outlaw tourists renting motorbikes after a significant number of accidents when tourists simply disregarded local traffic restrictions.