Bali Considers $100 Daily Tax to Tackle Overtourism and Manage Visitor Impact

Bali Proposes Steep Daily Tourist Tax Amid Growing Concerns Over Mass Tourism

Bali, Indonesia — In response to the escalating challenges posed by mass tourism and unruly visitor behavior, authorities in Bali have proposed the introduction of a steep daily tourist tax. The move aims to address the environmental and social pressures that the island has been grappling with as it continues to attract throngs of tourists year-round.

The proposed tax would resemble Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee, which currently charges international visitors around $100 (€95) per day. Bhutan’s model is notable for its strict regulation of visitor numbers, capping tourism at approximately 400,000 people annually to preserve its cultural heritage and natural environment. At times, Bhutan has levied fees as high as $250 (€240) per day.

Wayan Puspa Negara, the head of the Bali Marginal Tourism Actors Alliance and a legislator representing Bali’s Badung regency, shared insights with the South China Morning Post regarding the island’s strategy. “We envision selecting tourists from a spending perspective,” he stated, comparing Bali’s potential approach to Bhutan’s selective tourism policy. “It’s the same as when [Indonesians] go to the US, Europe or Britain.”

Bali’s new tax proposal underscores the island’s urgency in tackling the downsides of overtourism, which include environmental degradation, infrastructure strain, and disrespectful visitor conduct. Bali’s pristine beaches and vibrant cultural sites have long been magnets for travelers from across the globe, but the local community and officials are now seeking ways to manage tourist influx more sustainably.

Other popular tourist destinations such as Venice and Barcelona have experimented with increasing tourism taxes, producing mixed outcomes in balancing visitor numbers and maintaining local quality of life. Bali’s approach would represent a significant shift in the region’s tourism management by prioritizing high-spending visitors and potentially reducing the overall volume of tourists.

As discussions continue, the tourism sector in Bali, along with government agencies and local stakeholders, will be closely monitoring how the proposed tax might reshape the island’s travel landscape, with the overarching goal of ensuring that Bali’s natural beauty and cultural heritage are preserved for future generations.