Bali Introduces Innovative Digital Payment System to Facilitate Cashless Tourism
In a significant step toward modernizing the tourism experience, Bali is set to launch a new digital payment system designed specifically for tourists. The initiative, spearheaded by Bank Indonesia, aims to streamline transactions for visitors and promote a cashless economy in one of the world’s premier travel destinations.
The Indonesia Tourist Travel Pack: A Seamless Cashless Experience
The new service, known as the Indonesia Tourist Travel Pack, is currently being introduced at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. It offers an integrated three-element ecosystem that enables tourists to easily access Indonesian SIM cards with mobile data and phone numbers as well as a chip-based electronic money option through an e-wallet.
This system connects travelers to the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS), a national cashless payment platform that is rapidly expanding throughout Indonesia. QRIS allows payments via QR-code scanning and prepaid e-wallets, making everyday transactions—from shopping to dining and entrance fees—more convenient and efficient.
Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Fillianingsh Hendarta, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Ease of transactions is an important part of the tourist experience in Bali.” He further explained that the integration of these digital tools is intended to position Indonesia as a tourist-friendly country and to advance the nation’s transition to a fully digital tourism ecosystem.
Supporting Tourist Convenience and Local Economy
Bank Indonesia, together with various stakeholders, has also established a Tourism Information Center at Ngurah Rai International Airport to assist newly arrived visitors. Here, tourists can obtain the Indonesia Tourist Travel Pack and receive a QRIS Nusantara Tourism Guidebook that details how to use the QRIS system across numerous tourist attractions.
The central bank highlighted the broader benefits of the system, noting that “the experience of international tourists in Bali will be more convenient and practical,” allowing seamless payments for hotels, shopping, dining, and entry to tourist sites. The initiative is also expected to boost business opportunities, enhance economic inclusivity, and support sustainable local development by facilitating smoother financial transactions.
While cash continues to play a role in daily life on the island, this digital push marks one of the first major efforts to encourage cashless spending among visitors in Bali. Access to a local or e-SIM card will be invaluable for travelers, facilitating the use of essential apps such as Google Maps and popular ride-hailing and delivery services like Grab and GoJek.
Indonesia’s Currency Redenomination and Future Plans
The rollout of the Indonesia Tourist Travel Pack coincides with ongoing discussions about redenominating the Indonesian rupiah, a process intended to simplify the currency’s numerical system by removing three zeros. Though initially planned for completion by 2027, recent statements by government officials indicate that the timeline for redenomination is uncertain and still some way off.
Minister Prasetyo Hadi clarified to reporters that while the redenomination would adjust the numerical value on bills—for example, turning the IDR 100,000 note into IDR 100—the actual currency value would remain unchanged. This change, once implemented, would make transactions easier to manage but does not affect the real purchasing power of the rupiah.
Looking Ahead
Bali’s digital payment system initiative represents a proactive move to enhance the overall traveler experience, aligning with global trends toward cashless economies in tourism. By integrating communication and payment solutions, Bank Indonesia and its partners are advancing a vision of a more efficient, tourist-friendly, and digitally connected Bali.
As the program expands and gains adoption among visitors and service providers, it is expected to contribute positively to Bali’s vibrant local economy while offering tourists a smoother, more convenient way to explore the island’s rich array of attractions.
For travelers heading to Bali, these digital conveniences are set to make cashless vacations not only possible but preferable, paving the way for a new era in Indonesian tourism.
Add a comment