“Discover How Bali will Tax Tourists Starting from February 2014 – You Won’t Believe the Impact!”
Bali, the renowned island destination in Indonesia, is set to implement a new tourism tax for international visitors starting from February 14, 2024. This decision, which has been a topic of discussion throughout the year, was confirmed by Tjok Bagus Pemayun, Head of the Bali Tourism Department. The tax is set at IDR 150,000 per person per visit, which is roughly equivalent to USD 10.
It is important to note that the tax applies to visitors of all ages, and even those who have previously visited other destinations in Indonesia such as the Gili Islands, Lombok, or Sumbawa will have to pay it once more upon returning to Bali. Despite speculations, there is currently no indication that the fee will be valid for a specific duration, such as 30 days. The tax will continue to be enforced on a per-visit basis.
However, the tax does not extend to travelers visiting the nearby Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, as these are part of the Bali Province. It is important to understand that the tourism tax is a local, provincial tax that is in its final stages of approval by the Provincial Government and relevant central government authorities.
Even travelers flying into Indonesia via other cities like Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Medan, or Labuan Bajo, and taking domestic flights to Bali on or after February 14, 2024, will be subject to the tourism tax upon arrival at the domestic terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport. To ensure a smooth payment process, steps have already been taken, and visitors will have to settle the IDR 150,000 fee in Indonesian Rupiah, although international cards will be accepted for payment.
The introduction of this tourism tax in Bali has been met with mixed reactions from tourists and industry players alike. While some argue that the tax will help to fund infrastructure development and environmental conservation efforts in the region, others express concerns about its potential impact on tourism numbers. Only time will tell how this new tax will ultimately affect the tourism industry in Bali, but for now, visitors should be prepared to include this additional expense in their travel plans.
