Tourists will now have to pay a fee to enter Bali. Image: canva
Bali’s new tourism tax to kick in this February
Tourists who will be visiting Bali this year will now have to fork out cash for a new tourism tax, which will start in February 2024.
Tourists will now have to pay a fee to enter Bali. Image: canva
The beautiful island paradise of Bali will soon start charging tourists a tourism tax to visit the island.
According to Travel News, the Bali Provincial government has now finalised the International Tourism Levy, a tax on inbound tourists, of US$10 (R188) per passenger, per trip. This tourism tax is scheduled to begin on 14 February 2024.
ALSO READ: Travelling soon? Get your passport sorted at these SA banks
The new entry fee will be used to to fund Bali’s cultural heritage as well as be put towards sustainability efforts including coral reef conservation, mangrove rehabilitation and other projects.
In order to pay this tax, tourists will have to make the application payment through the Love Bali website or the app before arrival. A tourism levy voucher will then be emailed, and travellers will need to keep this voucher on their smartphones for scanning at checkpoints at Bali Airport.
ALSO READ: Popular destinations: Where South Africans are travelling to in 2024
Bali’s plans to implement a tourist quota system
Due to high tourist numbers experienced since after the pandemic, the government of Bali is also cosidering implementing a tourism quota system.
ALSO READ: No more mountain activities for tourists in Bali? Here’s why
According to eTurbo news, Wayan Koster, Bali governer, has claimed to be unhappy with the rising number of foreign visitors to the island, who break the law and have no regard for local culture.
“We will no longer welcome mass tourism. We will restrict tourist numbers by implementing a quota system. If there is a quota, then people will have to queue. Those who want to come next year, can sign up from now. That’s the system we want to apply,” Koster said.
The system would be in place for the long term and would mean that travellers would have to wait in turn to visit Bali.
