International Courant
JAKARTA – The Indonesian resort of Bali will impose a tax of 150,000 rupiah (S$13.32) on vacationers getting into the “Island of the Gods” from 2024 to protect the tradition, officers mentioned Wednesday.
Vacationer-dependent Bali attracts hundreds of thousands of overseas guests annually, and the beach-dotted island tries to capitalize on its reputation to spice up its coffers and shield its tropical attract.
“The cost of compensation for overseas vacationers is relevant solely as soon as throughout their go to to Bali,” Governor I Wayan Koster advised native lawmakers.
The charge have to be paid electronically and applies to overseas vacationers getting into Bali from overseas or from different components of Indonesia, he mentioned.
The cost doesn’t apply to home Indonesian vacationers.
Greater than two million vacationers visited the island in 2022, in line with official figures, as Bali recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic after imposing a zero-tolerance coverage on rule breakers.
Requested if the brand new tax would deter guests, Mr Koster mentioned authorities didn’t imagine customer numbers would drop.
“It isn’t an issue. We’ll use it for the surroundings, tradition and we’ll construct higher high quality infrastructure in order that touring to Bali shall be extra snug and safer,” he advised reporters.
The palm-fringed hotspot has vowed to crack down on misbehaving vacationers following a string of incidents, together with acts of disrespect for the tradition of the predominantly Hindu island.
Bali’s immigration service deported a Danish lady in June after she was filmed flashing the general public whereas using a bike.
A Russian lady was kicked off the island in April for posting a nude photograph of herself in entrance of a sacred tree.
In June, the native authorities printed a information for vacationers wanting to go to Bali after being urged to take action by the island’s immigration service. AFP
Bali will levy a $13 e-tourist tax from 2024 to protect the tradition
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