Bali Tourism Flourishes Amid Rising Incidents of Foreigners’ Violations
Denpasar, Bali – August 21, 2025
Bali, Indonesia’s renowned tourism hub known as the "Island of the Gods," continues to experience a remarkable resurgence in foreign arrivals, positioning itself as the prime gateway for overseas visitors to the archipelago. In 2024, Bali recorded 6.3 million foreign tourist arrivals, surpassing the pre-pandemic figure of 6.2 million in 2019. This surge accounts for nearly half of Indonesia’s total 13.9 million foreign tourist arrivals that year, marking a significant milestone in the country’s tourism revival.
Economic Impact and Tourism Revenue
The tourism boom has brought substantial economic benefits. Bali’s Governor, Wayan Koster, revealed that the island contributed 44 percent of Indonesia’s foreign exchange earnings from tourism, with the sector generating approximately Rp107 trillion (around US$6.69 billion) in 2024. According to the Balance of Payments report by Bank Indonesia, the country’s total foreign exchange revenue from tourism hit US$16.71 billion (Rp280 trillion) in the same year, underscoring Bali’s pivotal role in the national economy and tourism landscape.
Challenges of Managing Foreign Visitors
Despite the positive growth, concerns are rising over the behavior and legal compliance of some foreign tourists on the island. The Directorate General of Immigration reported a noticeable increase in the number of foreign nationals deported from Bali—378 individuals between January and September 2024, up from 335 in 2023. These deportations were handled by Bali’s three immigration offices and the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center.
Common reasons for deportations include overstaying visas, misuse of tourist visas for employment, improper use of investor visas without actual investments, violations of local laws, resistance to law enforcement, and disrespect toward Balinese customs and traditions. Additionally, some foreigners were involved in transnational crimes, reflecting a need for stringent regulatory oversight.
On a national scale, from January to July 2025, there were 2,669 deportations and 2,009 detentions of foreign nationals, with 62 foreigners facing legal proceedings between November 2024 and July 2025. Although problematic cases are relatively small compared to the total tourist influx, the upward trend raises concerns about maintaining Bali’s safe and welcoming environment.
Enforcement and Coordination Efforts
To combat these issues, Indonesian authorities have enhanced monitoring and enforcement. Discreet surveillance efforts help prevent suspects from evading detection. The Foreigners Supervision Team (Tim Pora) operates at national and regional levels to coordinate inter-agency cooperation and monitor social media platforms where violations often come to public attention.
Significant operations such as "Jagratara," which apprehended over 2,200 foreigners in May and July 2024, and "Bali Becik," which arrested over 100 suspected international cybercrime syndicate members in June 2024, demonstrate the rigor of enforcement measures. Other campaigns like Operation Wira Waspada and specialized task forces further strengthen this framework.
From August 1 to 31, 2025, the Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto, launched the Immigration Patrol Task Force in Bali, deploying 100 immigration officers supported by personnel from the Indonesian Military (TNI), National Police (Polri), the Public Order and Security Agency (Satpol PP), and traditional Balinese security guards known as pecalang. Equipped with protective gear, body cameras, and vehicles, the task force actively patrols tourist hotspots, monitors foreigners’ activities, and can temporarily seize immigration documents for investigations.
Persistent Challenges and Calls for Reform
Nonetheless, considerable challenges remain. Illegal lodging facilities, commonly unlicensed accommodations, evade reporting requirements to the Foreigner Reporting Application (APOA) used by licensed hotels, complicating efforts to monitor foreign guests and leading to tax revenue losses. Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Secretary-General Perry Markus has called for intensified government action to clamp down on these establishments.
Adding to the complexity, recent cases of misconduct among immigration officers have tarnished institutional credibility. Notably, two officers were arrested for allegedly colluding with Russian nationals to extort and assault a Lithuanian citizen. Minister Andrianto has announced forthcoming dismissal sanctions following judicial rulings, emphasizing integrity and ethical conduct as crucial for maintaining public trust.
Beyond enforcement, Minister Andrianto highlighted the need for comprehensive capacity-building programs for immigration personnel, including recognition and incentives for exemplary staff. This approach aims to balance the facilitation of foreign entry with robust controls, leveraging cross-sectoral cooperation and technological tools for effective foreigner supervision across Indonesia.
With tourism continuing to be a vital pillar for Bali and Indonesia’s economy, authorities underscore the importance of fostering a secure, respectful environment for visitors and locals alike. The government’s ongoing commitment to stricter permit protocols, coordinated enforcement, and technological innovation strives to sustain Bali’s allure while addressing the challenges posed by rising foreign tourist violations.
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