VOA —
The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, said that more intensive outreach is still needed to increase the compliance of foreign tourists with paying import duties to Bali. Since it was implemented on February 14 2024, the level of compliance with paying these duties has only reached 40 percent.
“We will continue to improve this and we hope that through this socialization, the new regulations regarding foreign tourist fees can also be better enforced in the field,” said Sandiaga in a weekly online press conference, Monday (25/3).
The entry fee for foreign tourists or foreign tourists to Bali is IDR 150 thousand, regulated in Bali Provincial Regulation Number 6 of 2023 concerning Levies for Foreign Tourists for the Protection of Bali's Culture and Natural Environment. These funds will be used to maintain the culture and natural environment which is a tourist attraction in Bali, as well as improving the quality of services and organizing Balinese cultural tourism.
“We continue to socialize across ministries and institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through airlines and also other tourism stakeholders,” explained Sandiaga.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno gave his response regarding import duties for foreign tourists (Wisman), Monday (25 March 2024) (Photo: YouTube Screenshot)
According to Sandiaga, the levy will also help with waste management in Bali. “Hopefully this foreign tourist levy can encourage more waste banks and of course more sustainable waste management,” Sandiaga hoped.
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy estimates that the level of foreign tourist visits to Bali in 2024 will increase to seven million compared to 6 million foreign tourist visits in 2023.
“Moreover, there will be a World Water Forum in May, more than 30 thousand participants and their families will come to Bali. “So, we are targeting, last year we succeeded in passing the magic number of six million, this year our target, God willing, can rise to seven million, hopefully with the support of all parties,” said Sandiaga.
Bali Tourism Department Wants to Provide a Counter at the Domestic Arrival Terminal
Head of the Bali Tourism Service, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, explained that his party had submitted a request to Angkasa Pura to obtain permission to place a foreign tourist levy payment counter at the domestic arrival terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.
“As input for foreign tourists passing through Jakarta or other areas heading to Bali. “We are still waiting for a decision from Angkasa Pura,” said Tjok Bagus Pemayun at the same event.
Referring to the site disparda.baliprov.go.id, the Bali Provincial Tourism Office will also starting March 26 2024 carry out unannounced inspections at tourist attraction locations in Bali, including Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu Beratan and Tampaksiring. This effort is to carry out checks to ensure foreign tourists have paid the foreign tourist levy. Checks are carried out at the entrance or exit of tourist attractions, so that they do not interfere with tourist activities enjoying the beauty of the tourist destination area. (yl/ka)