Bali Tourism Flourishes Amid Increasing Foreigners’ Violations
Denpasar, Bali – August 21, 2025 – Bali continues to solidify its position as Indonesia’s premier tourist destination, welcoming a remarkable 6.3 million foreign tourists in 2024. This figure accounts for nearly half of the country’s total 13.9 million foreign visitors, surpassing Bali’s pre-pandemic arrivals in 2019, which stood at 6.2 million. The tourism sector’s resurgence has significantly bolstered Indonesia’s economy, with Bali alone contributing 44 percent to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings from tourism, totaling approximately US$6.69 billion (Rp107 trillion) as reported by Governor Wayan Koster.
According to Bank Indonesia’s Balance of Payments report, the total foreign exchange revenue generated by Indonesia’s tourism industry reached US$16.71 billion (Rp280 trillion) in 2024. Given these impressive numbers, Bali remains a key barometer for the country’s overall tourism health.
Rising Concerns Over Foreigners’ Violations
However, alongside this robust growth, officials have observed a concerning rise in violations committed by foreign nationals on the island. Between January and September 2024, the Directorate General of Immigration recorded the deportation of 378 foreigners in Bali, an increase from 335 cases in 2023. These deportations were managed by Bali’s three immigration offices in collaboration with the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center.
Nationally, data from January to July 2025 indicates 2,669 deportations and 2,009 detentions of foreign nationals across Indonesia, with 62 foreigners currently facing legal proceedings between November 2024 and July 2025. The reasons behind these enforcement actions include visa overstays, unauthorized working under tourist visas, misuse of investor visas without genuine investments, involvement in transnational crimes, violations of local regulations, resistance to law enforcement, and disrespect toward Balinese cultural traditions.
Although these incidents constitute a small fraction relative to the millions of tourists visiting annually, the upward trend in such violations has drawn the attention of authorities and the public alike.
Enhanced Monitoring and Enforcement Efforts
To tackle these challenges, Bali’s authorities conduct discreet and comprehensive monitoring to prevent suspect foreigners from evading detection. The Foreigners Supervision Team, known as Tim Pora, operates at both national and regional levels to coordinate cross-agency efforts and monitor social media channels where reports of misbehavior often surface.
Several major operations underscore these efforts, including:
- Operation Jagratara, which apprehended 914 foreigners in May 2024 and 1,293 in July 2024.
- Operation Bali Becik in June 2024, during which 103 individuals suspected of participating in international cybercrime syndicates were arrested.
- Other initiatives like Operation Wira Waspada and the establishment of specialized task forces aimed at increasing law enforcement presence.
Most recently, from August 1 to 31, 2025, the Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto launched the Immigration Patrol Task Force in Bali. This team comprises 100 immigration officers supported by personnel from the Indonesian Military (TNI), National Police (Polri), Public Order and Security Agency (Satpol PP), and traditional Balinese security guards known as pecalang. Officers are equipped with body cameras, protective gear, and vehicles to patrol popular tourist hotspots, monitor foreigners’ activities, and temporarily seize immigration documents from suspected violators for detailed examination.
Challenges in Supervision and Integrity
Despite these robust enforcement mechanisms, challenges persist. A significant issue involves unlicensed accommodations, which do not report foreign guests through the official Foreigner Reporting Application (APOA). This gap hampers monitoring efforts and results in tax revenue losses. The Bali branch of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), represented by Secretary-General Perry Markus, has urged for stronger government oversight and stricter enforcement actions targeting illegal establishments.
Additionally, incidents of corruption and misconduct among enforcement officers have impacted institutional credibility. In a notable case, two immigration officers—EE from Jakarta and YB from Magelang—were arrested by Bali police for colluding with Russian nationals to extort and assault a Lithuanian citizen. The officers allegedly used kidnapping and threats of deportation as instruments of coercion. Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya confirmed that dismissal sanctions are pending following court rulings, and Minister Andrianto emphasized the critical importance of integrity and ethical conduct within immigration services.
Balancing Tourism Growth with Regulation
Authorities underline that while relaxing restrictions on foreign entry has fueled tourism growth, it is essential to balance this openness with stricter visa issuance, increased cross-sectoral cooperation, and the enhanced use of technology for better monitoring. Capacity building and continuous training for immigration personnel, coupled with recognizing high-performing staff, are vital steps to strengthen enforcement and maintain Bali’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination.
As Bali forges ahead as a global tourism hub, coordinated efforts among government agencies, local communities, and the tourism industry will play a critical role in ensuring the island’s sustainable development and the security of both visitors and residents.
For further updates and in-depth coverage on Bali’s tourism and immigration news, stay connected with local authorities and tourism boards.
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