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

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: 

• Foreign tourists holding diplomatic and official visas
• Crew members of transportation vehicles
• Holders of temporary or permanent stay permit cards
• Holders of family unification visas
• Student visas
• Golden visas 
• Business visas

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The alert covers all nine regencies, including popular tourist destinations such as Denpasar, Badung, and Gianyar. Cahyo Nugroho, a spokesperson for BBMKG, stated “The general public, fishermen, and those involved in marine tourism activities should be aware of the potential for high sea waves which could reach 2 meters or more in the waters south of Bali.”

Tragic Incidents Highlight Dangers

The warnings come in the wake of two tragic incidents involving tourists in Indonesia’s oceans.

A 61-year-old Indonesian grandfather lost his life after being swept out to sea from Seminyak’s Double Six Beach, while renowned surfer Gunther Kitzler died during a surf trip in East Java.

These events underscore the importance of heeding weather warnings and exercising caution when engaging in water activities.

Bali Aims for Record-Breaking Tourist Numbers Despite Challenges

Despite the extreme weather alerts, Bali remains optimistic about achieving its goal of attracting 7 million foreign tourists in 2024, as part of Indonesia’s overall target of 14 million visitors. Tjok Bagus Pemayun, Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, emphasized that “Bali remains a favorite destination for foreign tourists” and hopes for an even greater increase in tourist visits in 2024, with a focus on quality tourism.

However, Bali faces challenges such as overtourism and potential geopolitical instability. In response, the province has implemented measures like a tourist tax and a “do’s and don’ts” list to manage unruly behavior and promote sustainable tourism.

Tips for Travelers

Tourists planning trips to Bali are advised to stay informed about weather conditions and exercise caution when engaging in water activities. Those planning boat trips, diving excursions, or island hopping should check with their providers to ensure that schedules are operating as usual.

As Nugroho advised, “The public is advised to remain alert and careful about the impacts of disasters that can occur, such as strong winds, fallen trees, lightning, floods, puddles of water, and landslides.” He also added, “People who need the latest information about the weather can access the 24-hour weather information service via the official BBMKG Region III Denpasar social media account,”. By staying informed and prioritizing safety, tourists can still enjoy the beauty and culture of Bali while minimizing risks associated with extreme weather conditions.

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According to bnnbreaking.com, this mega infrastructure endeavor aims to serve up to 50 million passengers annually and reshape Bali’s tourism landscape through enhanced connectivity.

Strategic Vision Drives Airport’s Development

Spearheaded by Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto, the North Bali Airport seeks to achieve the twin goals of boosting tourism and improving transport links across Bali. With an estimated capacity nearly double that of the existing Ngurah Rai International Airport, the new airport will alleviate passenger congestion while allowing equitable economic growth.

The 3,600-meter runway is designed to handle a diverse range of aircraft, positioning Bali as a premier hub for low-cost carriers. Local communities also stand to benefit through extensive job creation.

According to Made Muliawan Arya, Chairman of Gerindra’s Bali Leadership Council, Subianto has committed to honoring his campaign pledge of moving forward with the North Bali Airport.

Balancing Progress and Tradition

However, realizing the mega-project has not been without challenges. From land acquisition delays to concerns over sociocultural impacts, its proponents have had to strike a delicate balance. Subianto has emphasized building an airport that aligns with Balinese architectural aesthetics and values. This sensitivity to community interests has been instrumental in gaining local support.

While acknowledging economic priorities, Subianto emphasized designing the airport aligned with Balinese architectural traditions featuring open-air pavilions and lush gardens. “The Balinese personality must be preserved; the buildings must all have Balinese characteristics,” he commented previously. Striking this balance between development and conservation will be key for the project’s long-term success.

Holistic Infrastructure Upgrades

Alongside the airport, Bali is also developing an integrated railway network scheduled for a September 2024 launch. The first rail route will connect the North Bali Airport to key tourist sites across Bali.

By tackling the island’s severe traffic congestion, this combined air and rail upgrade aims to deliver a seamless, sustainable travel experience.

Gateway to an Equitable Future

As Bali gears up to welcome over 50 million annual air passengers, the North Bali Airport ushers in a new era defined by accessibility, connectivity and equitable tourism development. Its state-of-the-art facilities promise to fortify Bali’s aviation infrastructure while opening up new opportunities for balanced economic progress.

With construction targeted to begin in late 2024, both visitors and locals can look forward to an airport on par with Singapore’s Changi in providing seamless regional connections in a distinctly Balinese setting.

Bali’s Overtourism And New Tourist Tax

Bali faces significant challenges with overtourism, which has led to environmental degradation, infrastructure strain, and impacts on local communities.

The island’s popularity as a tourist destination has brought economic benefits but also challenges in managing waste, water resources, and preserving cultural heritage. In response, the Balinese government has implemented a tourist tax aimed at mitigating the negative effects of overtourism.

This tax is intended to fund environmental and cultural preservation projects, ensuring that Bali remains a beautiful and sustainable destination for future generations.

Wayan Suardana from Udayana University in Denpasar suggests Bali doesn’t face overtourism universally, as tourist activity concentrates mainly in the southern regions. He emphasizes that while areas like Denpasar, Badung, and Gianyar see heavy tourism, places such as Karangasem, Buleleng, and Jembrana remain under-visited.

Suardana advocates that improving infrastructure will balance tourism growth across Bali and shift focus towards attracting quality tourism post-COVID-19, considering factors like location and pricing for sustainable development.

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This decision comes in the wake of the regional government’s implementation of taxes and levies on several tourist attractions in the Karangasem area. According to I Nyoman Jati, the Bender of Purwayu Traditional Village, a 10% regional tax and levy were introduced, leading to a consensus during the Paruman to increase the ticket prices for both domestic and international visitors.

Jati confirmed on Friday (February 23, 2024), that the decision to adjust the ticket prices was made after considering the involvement of tour guides and village officials. He emphasized that the price adjustment is moderate, positioning the new rates below those of other attractions that have recently undergone similar revisions. Specifically, the entrance fee for domestic tourists will increase from IDR 30,000 to IDR 40,000, while international visitors will see an increase from IDR 55,000 to IDR 70,000.

The intention behind the modest increase, Jati remarked, is to avoid placing an undue financial burden on tourists visiting the revered Lempuyang Temple. He assured that the revised pricing is still within a reasonable range. In anticipation of the price change, Jati noted that announcements have been made on social media platforms and communication has been extended to all travel agencies, urging them to inform potential visitors of the new entrance fees effective from March 1, 2024.

Jati expressed hope that the adjustment in ticket pricing would not deter tourists from visiting the Lempuyang Temple, a site renowned for its spiritual significance and natural beauty, and remains optimistic about maintaining high visitor numbers.

Bali Recently Implemented Tourist Tax

Bali has introduced a new tourist levy of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (approximately $10) for foreign visitors, effective since February 14.

This fee, collected upon arrival at the airport or through the government’s online platforms, is designated for cultural and environmental conservation, enhancing public services, and infrastructure development.

This move aligns Bali with other global destinations like Iceland, Paris, and Greece, which have also implemented or increased tourist taxes for various sustainability and infrastructure efforts.

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Bali’s authorities want visitors to understand exactly what is expected of them when they come to the island.

This entails being aware of the recently implemented tourism tax and adhering to the list of Dos and Don’ts for visitors to Bali, which was released last year to crack down on misbehaving visitors.

It is expected that the new system will not interfere with visitors’ arrival times. Leading tourism officials claim that paying an arrival fee can be completed in just 23 seconds.

Nevertheless, in addition to paying for the visa upon arrival and standing in line for passport stamping by immigration officials, there might be an additional line during busy periods for the payment of the tourism tax.

With the help of QR code scanners, officials will be manually verifying who has paid the fee.

Travelers should be aware that paying their tourism tax online before visiting Bali is simpler and faster. They will only need to do this once so they can show their tourism tax voucher to one of the officers in charge at Bali airport.

All foreign visitors to the province must pay the new tourism levy, which can be made online, in person at Bali Airport, or at hotels and resorts.

International Support

Jo Stevens, the Australian Consul General in Denpasar, Bali, is in favor of the imposition of a foreign visitor tax in Bali, which went into effect on February 14, 2024, and cost IDR 150 thousand (about USD 9.54) per person.

“This (levy) is a good thing to support culture, for waste management, respecting customs, religious aspects and Balinese culture,” said Stevens in Sanur, Denpasar, last week.

The levy on foreign tourists was also endorsed by Matthew Downing, the British Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia. He claims that several governments around the world have put taxation policies in place for different reasons. He said that the levy is being used to support regional initiatives.

Other countries and cities implementing a tourist tax

Amsterdam

The cruise passenger fare in this city has increased from 8 euros to 11 euros, and the hotel room tax has increased from 7 percent to 12.5%. 

Barcelona and Valencia

Spain charges up to 3.25 euros per night per tourist.

Bhutan 

Adult visitors must pay a daily visitation fee of $100 USD in this country, while children must pay $50 USD.

Venice 

This city is also charging a tourist fee from 2024.

The whole price ranges from 1 to 5 euros per person per night, depending on the location, kind, and classification of the lodging establishment as well as the season (high season is from February 1 to December 31; low season is from January 1 to January 31).

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According to Ida Ayu Indah Yustikarini, Head of Tourism at the Bali Province Tourism Office in Denpasar, these tourists must apply and fulfill the criteria outlined in the Love Bali system.

The exemptions apply to foreign tourists who possess diplomatic and official visas, crew members of vehicles, and holders of temporary or permanent stay permit cards. Additional exemptions are granted to those with family unification visas, student visas, Golden Visas, and other specific visas, such as business visas.

As per Bali Governor’s Regulation Number 36 of 2023 concerning the Payment Procedures for Foreign Tourist Levy, applications for exemption must be submitted at least one month prior to arrival in Bali. The regulation further specifies that the local tourism authority will review and decide on the applications within a maximum of five working days, with the outcome communicated to applicants via the Love Bali system at lovebali.baliprov.go.id.

Upon approval, the Love Bali system will issue a notice and proof of exemption in the form of a QR code to the foreign tourist, stated Yustikarini. Initially, the levy will be collected at the international arrival terminals of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and Benoa Port, Bali. Payments can also be made through travel agents, hotels, and tourist attractions.

This levy is enacted under Law Number 15 of 2023 concerning Bali Province and its implementing regulation, Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023 on the Levy for Foreign Tourists, aimed at protecting Bali’s culture and environment.

The levy supports the preservation of Balinese customs, traditions, arts, culture, and local wisdom, as well as the conservation of cultural and natural tourist attractions, improving service quality and the management of cultural tourism, and guiding the implementation and management of foreign tourist levies.

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“Bali hasn’t reached over-tourism status, but there’s a need to improve connectivity between the southern part of Bali and other regions,” Suardana stated.

The Dean of the Unud Faculty of Tourism pointed out that tourism is bustling in specific areas of southern Bali, such as Denpasar, Badung, and Gianyar Regencies, while other regions like Karangasem, Buleleng, and Jembrana remain less visited.

Suardana argues that the concept of over-tourism doesn’t fully apply to Bali as a whole due to this uneven distribution. He believes that developing infrastructure, such as roads to enhance access, is vital for promoting equitable tourism growth. Post-COVID-19, there’s an opportunity for Bali to focus on attracting quality tourism.

“Bali needs to shift its focus towards quality tourism, considering factors such as indicators, location, and pricing,” he added.

To support this initiative, the Bali Provincial Government plans to implement a fee of IDR 150,000 per foreign tourist starting February 14. This fee, based on Law Number 15 of 2023 and Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023, aims to preserve Bali’s cultural and natural heritage, improve service quality, and manage cultural tourism.

Data from Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport shows that in 2023, Bali welcomed approximately 5.3 million foreign tourists by air, nearing 88% of the 2019 figure of 6.3 million, with an average daily visitation of around 15,000 foreign tourists.

Bali Plans To Attract Record-Breaking Number Of Visitors In 2024

Despite all the concerns, Bali government already expressed its goal of attracting a record number of 7 million tourists in 2024.

The island plans to balance this ambitious goal by implementing strategies to manage the influx and distribute visitors more evenly across different regions, aiming to mitigate the impact on popular areas.

The initiative includes promoting lesser-known destinations within Bali to alleviate pressure on hotspots and ensure a sustainable tourism model.

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The Head of Bali Provincial Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, is optimistic about achieving this target, especially considering the 2023 foreign tourist visitation numbers exceeded 5 million.

Data from the Bali Tourism Department as of December 26, 2023, shows a total of 5,232,751 foreign tourists visited Bali. The majority of these tourists came from Australia, followed by India, China, England, the United States, South Korea, France, Singapore, Germany, and Malaysia. Pemayun emphasizes that Bali remains a favorite destination for foreign tourists.

Pemayun also acknowledged the rapid recovery of tourism on Seribu Pura Island, surpassing government and stakeholder predictions. He hopes for an even greater increase in tourist visits in 2024, with an emphasis on quality, defined as increased spending due to longer stays.

However, global geopolitical conditions, such as the Ukraine-Russia war and the Hamas-Israel conflict in Palestine, could impact foreign tourist visits to Bali. Consequently, Pemayun urges the Balinese people to help maintain a conducive environment to achieve the government’s tourism goals.

Bali’s Overtourism Issues in 2023

After “Eat Pray Love” increased Bali’s popularity, the province faced overtourism from diverse groups, including spiritual seekers and digital nomads. To manage unruly behavior, Governor Wayan Koster mandated a do’s and don’ts list in 2023, which includes rules against swearing and disrespecting sacred sites.

Starting February 14, 2024, international visitors will pay a $10 tax, applicable again upon returning to Bali. Indonesian officials, recognizing the risks of overtourism, are advocating for sustainable tourism models and attracting tourists who contribute more to the local economy.

Avoid crowds in Bali

The rainy season in Bali, typically from October to April, sees fewer tourists, except during December and January, particularly around New Year’s, when beach parties draw large crowds.

The peak tourist period is in July and August, coinciding with international visitors and local school holidays, making these months crowded. Travelers can find quieter experiences by exploring areas beyond Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali.

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Addressing this issue from Jakarta, Minister Uno stressed the importance of hospitality workers, particularly those at airports and borders, in creating a positive first impression of Indonesia for tourists. He stated, “They get their first impression at the airport, and we must ensure that our airports exemplify typical Indonesian hospitality.”

Reacting to the AirHelp survey, which ranked Bali Airport among the ten worst globally in performance, customer service, and amenities, Minister Uno acknowledged the need for improvement. He referenced similar poor scores for Syamsuddin Noor Airport in Banjarmasin and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, noting that these findings will serve as a basis for departmental evaluations.

Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport was ranked at a lowly 189th position out of 194 in a recent global airport rating, scoring just 6.55. This ranking places it just above five other airports with poorer ratings: Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, London Gatwick Airport, Malta International Airport, and Banjarmasin Syamsudin Noor International Airport.

Minister Uno confirmed the Ministry’s ongoing efforts in training airport staff, including immigration and porter services, to enhance the public-facing aspects of airport operations. He emphasized the necessity for airport staff to focus on delivering excellent hospitality to tourists from all regions.

Highlighting the broader implications, Uno mentioned, “It’s crucial so that tourists continue to visit Indonesia, fostering quality and sustainable tourism, leading to business opportunities, economic growth, and job creation.”

He further added, “Tourists value not only natural beauty but also their overall experience in Indonesia. Prioritizing service and hospitality is essential.”

Minister Uno urged airports nationwide to commit to providing excellent service and creating a welcoming environment for tourists consistently. He pinpointed Ngurah Rai Bali, Soekarno Hatta, and the entry points in Batam and the Riau Islands as critical areas for hospitality and service improvement.

While Minister Uno’s remarks reflect a constructive response to the survey feedback, there have been differing opinions among officials. The Vice President of PT Angkasa Pura, the state-owned enterprise managing Bali Airport, expressed skepticism about the survey’s results, citing the lack of detailed survey parameters and the awards Bali Airport received in 2023 for customer service, environmental commitments, and operations.

Looking ahead, Bali Airport is set to introduce an advanced immigration process for tourists. New autogates, to be installed in both arrival and departure terminals, will facilitate tourists using the e-Visa on Arrival process, aiming to expedite airport transit and improve efficiency.

Tourists will be encouraged to apply for the e-Visa on Arrival online, although the visa-on-arrival option will remain available for travelers from 97 countries. Minister Uno also hinted at the possibility of reinstating visa-free travel for Bali’s top tourists, though no official changes have been announced yet.

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According to Handy Herryudhitiawan, the General Manager of the Airport, a total of 38,042 domestic passengers were accommodated, with arrivals dominating at 21,509. Additionally, the airport served 37,198 international passengers, with 20,753 being incoming travelers. Initially, Handy had anticipated peak passenger volumes for Christmas at 35,000 for domestic passengers and 32,000 for international passengers.

Notably, the airport typically handles an average of 28,000 domestic passengers and 30,000 international passengers daily. Therefore, on the eve of Christmas (December 23), a remarkable milestone was achieved with a total of 75,240 passengers in a single day.

“On the first day (Posko Natal) December 19, 60,001 passengers were recorded, the next day December 20 increased to 62,610 passengers, the third day December 21 reached 65,941 passengers, and the fourth day December 22 73,377 passengers, which also exceeded our predicted peak of passenger movements. “72,754 passengers, or 0.8 percent above predictions,” said Handy.

On the eve of Christmas (December 23, 2023), the upsurge in passenger numbers at Bali Airport was accompanied by a substantial increase in aircraft traffic. Bali’s skies witnessed a total of 252 domestic aircraft movements and 195 international aircraft movements on that day alone. When cumulatively counted since the opening of the Christmas Post, the period from December 19 to December 23, 2023, saw a total of 2,097 aircraft movements, facilitating the transportation of 337,169 passengers over five days.

Among the various routes, the busiest proved to be the Jakarta route, with 18,368 passengers, followed by Singapore, accommodating 8,104 passengers, and Surabaya with 5,862 passengers.

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