The Bali Tourism Police have been instructed to conduct more spot checks on tourists to catch those who have not paid the tourism tax levy.
The new tourism tax levy, introduced on the 14th of February, 2024, makes it mandatory for all international tourists to pay IDR 150,000 in tourism taxes.
Despite the fact that the new tourism tax has already raised USD 3.9 million, this is only a fraction of what tourism officials should have in the bank by now.
It has been calculated that as much as 60% of tourists haven’t been paying their tourism tax levies.
The first round of tourism tax spot checks have been carried out at top destinations like Tanah Lot Temple, and now officers have been given their orders to conduct a second round at different destinations.
Speaking to reporters, the Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, said, “In accordance with Bali Regional Regulation number 6 of 2023 concerning Levies for Foreign Tourists for the Protection of Bali’s Culture and Natural Environment, checks on tourists who have paid and who have not paid are carried out through the entrances to Bali, at accommodation places, and at tourism attractions.”
The new spot-check sites are Goa Gajah Temple outside Ubud, the Tirta Empul Temple, also close to Ubud, and Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Tabanan Regency.
Pemayun told reporters, “We made these places targets because there are relatively many tourists visiting [attractions], and we also wanted to check how many tourists had paid and how many had not.”
Pemayun confirmed that tourists who cannot produce their QR-code voucher to demonstrate that they have made their tourism tax payment will be required to pay the IDR 150,000 on the spot.
He said, “No payments are made in cash; everything is online. This is all for the comfort of their holiday in Bali. Guides and tourism drivers are also reminded to always inform the guests they are handling this policy.”
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Pemayun told reporters, “Just like during the previous inspections in Uluwatu, our team will check payment vouchers at the [tourist attraction] entrance.”
He further called for more efforts to be made to communicate the new system with tourists. Pemayun added, “so tourists won’t be surprised and can make payments before leaving for Bali.”
All international tourists to Bali must pay the IDR 150,000 fee. There are however some exceptions, such as foreigners who are residing in Indonesia on KITAS and KITAP visas.
However, an exception must also be applied before arriving in Bali or upon arrival at the payment kiosks.
The application for a tourism tax exception can be completed on the Love Bali website or app, just as with the tourism tax payee itself.
Pemayun has also confirmed that some of the delegates who are vsiiting Bali as part of the World Water Forum from the 18th to 25th May will also be exempt from paying the tourism tax levy.
With delegates from over 190 counties attending and a predicted over 55,000 attendees altogether, Pemayun said that some of these visitors are considered VVIPs.
Pemayun explained, “There are several delegates who are exceptions; even if they submit multiple names, we will verify them first. The committee will say which VVIPs are exempt, so the rest will be paid from the delegation, from 193 countries.”
