Effective February 14th, all foreign tourists, including those from Singapore, will be subject to a new tourism tax of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (approximately S$12.80) upon arrival in Bali. This levy applies not only to mainland Bali but also to surrounding islands like Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. Tourists arriving from other parts of Indonesia via land or domestic flights are also required to pay. Children are not exempt.
The announcement, first made in September 2023 by Bali tourism chief Tjok Bagus Pemayun, aims to address growing concerns about overtourism and its impact on the environment and local culture. While authorities assure quick processing at airport counters (23 seconds, according to The Bali Sun), online payment through the Love Bali website or app is strongly encouraged before departure. Upon successful payment, a tourism levy voucher will be emailed for scanning upon arrival in Bali.
This initiative seeks to generate funds for improving tourist services, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. Bali, like many popular destinations, grapples with overtourism’s consequences, including plastic pollution and strained relations between locals and tourists due to incidents involving disrespectful behavior and illegal activities.
Despite these challenges, Bali’s tourism authority anticipates a record-breaking year with 7 million visitors projected in 2024, exceeding the 5.2 million recorded in 2023. The Indonesian government aims to attract 14 million visitors nationwide in 2024, targeting a tourism revenue of 200 trillion rupiah.
It’s important to note that this new tax adds to other travel costs for foreign visitors. Singaporeans and ASEAN nationals enjoy visa-free entry for 30 days, while others require a 30-day visa on arrival costing 500,000 rupiahs. Additionally, a proposed entertainment tax of up to 75% on certain services was recently scrapped after pushback from the hospitality industry.
