Mandatory Tourism Tax for Bali Tourists: New Enforcement Measures Announced

Bali, Indonesia – As Bali prepares for its high tourism season in 2025, officials are emphasizing the importance of compliance with the newly instituted Bali Tourism Tax Levy. Initiated on February 14, 2024, this tax has become a key component of the island’s attempt to enhance tourism infrastructure, conserve culture, and protect the environment. However, recent reports indicate that only 35% of eligible tourists paid the fee during the 2024/25 tax year, prompting leaders to take further action to encourage compliance.

Understanding the Bali Tourism Tax

The Bali Tourism Tax Levy applies to all international visitors, regardless of age, requiring a fee of IDR 150,000 (approximately $10 USD). Tourists can fulfill this requirement by paying upon arrival at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, via the LoveBali website and app, or at designated tourist attractions throughout the island. Additionally, if approached by a Tourism Task Force Officer before making the payment, tourists can pay on the spot using a card.

Upon payment, visitors receive a QR code voucher as proof, which may be requested by Tourism Task Force Officers, police, or other governmental authorities, further indicating the need for tourists to stay informed about the payment process.

Challenges With Awareness and Compliance

The Bali Tourism Office acknowledges that many tourists remain unaware of this legal requirement. While most are familiar with the need to arrange a visa on arrival, information about the tourism tax has not been effectively communicated, leaving millions of visitors potentially non-compliant. Industry experts, including Ravindra Singh Shekhawat, General Manager for Indonesia at Intrepid, have expressed concerns over the lack of clear information about where and how to pay the tax.

"We can help Bali become a better tourist destination," Shekhawat urged, appealing to international travelers, particularly Australians, who form the largest segment of Bali’s visitor population.

Future Enforcement Measures

With the goal of improving compliance, the Bali Provincial Government and the Bali Tourism Office are implementing new strategies to educate tourists and facilitate payment. Though there are currently no formal legal penalties for failing to pay the tax, tourists caught without proof of payment may be asked to pay the fee on-site immediately.

Increasing concerns have led local lawmakers to discuss potential amendments to Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023 regarding the tourism tax, which could introduce stricter enforcement mechanisms. Senator Suwirta emphasized the importance of ensuring that any changes maintain legal clarity while supporting the initiative’s goals of protecting Bali’s cultural and natural heritage.

Conclusion

As Bali gears up to welcome tourists in 2025, visitors are urged to be informed about and comply with the Bali Tourism Tax Levy. The local government is working to streamline the payment process and communicate more effectively, ensuring that the funds raised can be directed towards preserving the island’s cultural assets and enhancing tourism infrastructure. Tourists planning a trip to Bali should make arrangements to pay the tax either online or at the airport to avoid complications before departure.