Major Airlines Collaborate to Ensure Bali-Bound Passengers Pay Tourism Tax
Since its introduction on February 14, 2024, the Bali Tourism Tax Levy has been a compulsory fee for all international visitors departing from Bali. Despite being in effect for nearly two years, awareness and compliance among tourists have remained surprisingly low, prompting major airlines to step in and support efforts to improve payment rates.
Understanding the Bali Tourism Tax Levy
The Bali Tourism Tax, locally known as Pungutan bagi Wisatawan Asing (PWA), requires each international visitor to pay IDR 150,000 (approximately USD 10) before leaving the island. This fee applies to all travelers, including children, and can be settled online through the LoveBali website or mobile app, at designated counters within I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, or via partnered travel agencies. Tourists found without payment upon inspection by Tourism Task Force officers may be requested to pay the levy on the spot.
Challenges in Tax Collection
Since the levy’s rollout, the Bali Provincial Government and Bali Tourism Office have encountered significant challenges in collecting the fee. One primary reason cited by officials is a lack of tourist awareness regarding the tax. In addition, the absence of defined penalties or enforcement mechanisms for non-payment has led many visitors to bypass the fee entirely. Consequently, revenue generated through the tax has fallen well short of initial projections.
As of October 2025, Bali had welcomed approximately 5.5 million international visitors for the year, yet the Tourism Tax Levy had only generated IDR 309 billion (around USD 18.65 million) in revenue. This figure indicates that merely a fraction of eligible tourists are fulfilling the payment requirement.
Airlines Step Up to Support Compliance
Recognizing these challenges, the Bali Provincial Government has requested the active participation of airlines operating flights to and from Bali. Of the 37 carriers serving I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, five have pledged to support the initiative by publicising the Bali Tourism Tax Levy to their passengers.
Deputy Governor of Bali, I Nyoman Giri Prasta, expressed optimism that collaboration with airlines will increase both awareness and compliance. “We want to integrate with immigration offices in Bali, especially those at the airport, so that this levy can be maximised,” he stated. Deputy Governor Prasta emphasized that these efforts aim to sustain tourism on the island by building quality and dignified travel experiences.
The Bali Tourism Office, led by I Wayan Sumarajaya, is also actively engaging airlines to ensure that international passengers are clearly informed about their obligations. Airlines are encouraged to provide announcements or show brief informational videos about the PWA regulations during flights.
Steps Toward System Integration
In September 2025, Bali Governor Wayan Koster met with Indonesia’s Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yuzril Ihsa Mahendra, to discuss integrating the Bali Tourism Tax Levy payment system with the national eVisa platform. Since the levy is a regional tax and the eVisa system is centrally managed, aligning these systems could streamline payment processes for travelers. Minister Mahendra expressed support for this initiative, though no definitive implementation timeline has been announced.
For now, tourists are advised to pay the tourism tax prior to their departure using the LoveBali platform, where upon payment, they receive a QR code voucher to present if requested by authorities.
Looking Ahead
With concerted efforts underway involving airlines, immigration officials, and the tourism office, Bali is working to enhance compliance with the Tourism Tax Levy. Officials aim to increase the payment rate to over 32% of international visitors by the end of 2025, up from the current low figures. These measures are viewed as essential to maintaining Bali’s tourism sustainability and ensuring the continued growth of the island’s thriving travel economy.
Travelers planning a trip to Bali should familiarize themselves with the Tourism Tax Levy and ensure they pay it promptly to avoid potential on-the-spot charges or other inconveniences during their visit.
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