DENPASAR, 23 January 2019: Bali has decided to impose a USD10 levy on foreign tourists to help preserve its environment and culture.
Jakarta Post quoted Governor Wayan Koster, who confirmed the decision has now been made, but the introduction date is pending conclusions on how the tax can be collected.
The ticklish issue facing provincial authorities focuses on collection costs and payment channels, but it was confirmed that it would not be collected from Indonesian travellers.
Officials said the tax would be used to protect the environment, counter the damage caused by so called ‘overtourism’ and also preserve cultural identity and underwrite heritage and cultural activities.
One collection proposal would involve airlines collecting it along with other taxes that are included in the ticket, but airlines would probably ask for an administration fee.
Or the Jakarta Post said it was possible counters would be set up at the airport.
The report did not elaborate on how the tax would be collected at ferry crossings.
According to a Bloomberg report tourism is forecast to earn Indonesia USD20 billion this year, more than double the amount in 2012, based n estimates from the Ministry of Tourism.
Around a third of third of all visitors to Indonesia go to Bali.
