Bali and Venice Implement New Entry Fees Aimed at Curbing Overtourism
In a landmark move to address the challenges of overtourism, two world-renowned destinations—Bali, Indonesia, and Venice, Italy—have introduced fresh entry charges in 2025. These levies are designed to regulate visitor numbers, protect cultural and environmental heritage, and generate funds for sustainable tourism development.
Bali’s Tourism Levy: Preserving Culture and Environment
Starting this year, Bali has imposed a tourism levy of IDR 150,000 (approximately USD 10 or EUR 9) per international visitor. What sets this charge apart is its uniform application: all visitors must pay the fee regardless of their age or duration of stay on the island. The levy is collected once per visit—even if travelers leave Bali temporarily for neighboring islands such as Lombok and return later.
The fee has stirred debate locally, with some stakeholders emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Bali’s unique culture and fragile environment, while others voice concern over potential economic repercussions for tourism-dependent businesses. Visitors are encouraged to pay the levy in advance through the official LoveBali provincial website prior to departure. For those who encounter difficulties with online payment methods, designated kiosks at airports and harbors in Bali accept payments via QR-code receipts.
Initial compliance rates were low following the introduction of the complex system, but Bali authorities are now intensifying enforcement efforts. New regulations instituted by Governor Wayan Koster in 2025 stipulate possible access restrictions to popular tourist sites or deportation for repeat offenders who fail to pay the levy. The revenues collected are projected to reach IDR 950 billion (around USD 60 million) in 2025 and will be allocated to cultural preservation initiatives, environmental protection programs, and infrastructure upgrades to ensure Bali remains an attractive and sustainable destination for future generations.
Venice Expands Its Day-Trip Access Fee Amid Continued Overcrowding
Similarly, Venice has extended and reinforced its entry fee policy targeting day-trippers to better manage the influx of visitors that strain the city’s historic center. The 2025 scheme expands the fee period from 29 days in 2024 to 54 days, ranging from mid-April through late July. Visitors entering Venice’s iconic areas—including islands such as Giudecca and San Michele—between 8:30 AM and 4 PM on these days are subject to the charge.
The fee structure further distinguishes between early and late bookings: a €5 fee applies for visitors who register online via the official Venezia Unica portal at least four days prior to arrival, while those registering within four days face a €10 charge. Several categories are exempt, including local residents, students, workers, overnight guests staying in registered accommodations, children under 14, and transit visitors passing through major transport hubs such as Santa Lucia train station.
Non-compliance carries penalties ranging from €50 to €150. Venice’s initial implementation of the entry fee in its inaugural year raised approximately €2.4 million. While some critics question the fee’s effectiveness in substantially reducing visitor numbers, city officials emphasize that the measure primarily aims to distribute tourist flows more evenly across time and locations rather than to discourage tourism altogether.
Addressing Overtourism Through Responsible Travel Fees
Both Bali and Venice face significant pressures from overtourism, which threatens to erode their cultural landmarks, disrupt local communities, and overwhelm existing infrastructure. The newly introduced fees serve several vital purposes:
- Managing peak-day crowds and mitigating seasonal visitor surges
- Funding preservation and infrastructure projects to maintain long-term destination viability
- Encouraging responsible travel behaviors by deterring brief, non-beneficial day visits, particularly from cruise ship passengers and impulse tourists
By concentrating on day-trippers, these policies endeavor to preserve the unique identities of Bali and Venice while balancing the economic benefits tourism brings to local populations.
Guidance for Travelers
Visitors planning trips to these destinations should take note of the new requirements:
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In Venice, those entering on peak days without overnight accommodations must register on Venezia Unica and pay either €5 if done four or more days ahead or €10 for last-minute registration. Carrying the prescribed QR code is essential to avoid fines.
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Bali visitors are required to pay the IDR 150,000 levy via the LoveBali portal before travel or at authorized payment kiosks upon arrival. Retaining proof of payment is necessary for inspection by authorities.
Travelers should anticipate enforcement measures, though not every traveler will be routinely checked. Compliance is becoming increasingly mandatory as administrations strive to protect their destinations.
A Step Toward Sustainable Tourism
The 2025 entry charges in Bali and Venice exemplify a global shift toward sustainable tourism management practices. With millions visiting annually, these modest fees represent a strategic approach to controlling overcrowding, financing critical infrastructure, and engaging travelers as stewards of the places they visit. Mid-year revenue reports underscore their impact, with Venice generating €2.4 million and Bali exceeding IDR 168 billion (over USD 10 million) in collections.
Though the levies are relatively small, their broader significance carries a powerful message: sustainable travel requires active participation from visitors to help preserve the cultural and environmental treasures that make destinations like Bali and Venice truly remarkable for generations to come.
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