Planning a vacation to Bali next year? Be prepared to pay a 150,000 Rupiah (RM46) tourist tax whenever you enter the “Island of Gods”.
In an effort to preserve its culture, officials have announced a tourist tax for the Tourist-dependent island to boost its coffers and protect its tropical allure, which attracts millions of foreign visitors every year.
“The payment of a fee for foreign tourists applies only one time during their visit to Bali,” Governor I Wayan Koster told local lawmakers as reported in The Straits Times.
The fee will apply only to foreign tourists entering Bali from abroad or from other parts of Indonesia, with the payment to be done electronically. The fee, however, will not apply to domestic Indonesian tourists.
When asked if the tax would deter visitors, Koster said authorities did not believe numbers would dip.
“It’s not a problem. We will use it for the environment, culture and we will build better quality infrastructure so travelling to Bali will be more comfortable and safe,” he told reporters.
As of March 2023, Bali has had over 1.03 million international visitors, making it still a top destination for tourists.
Need help with how to budget for your next trip? Read our guide here!
Thinking of getting a credit card for traveling? We’ve got you covered.
