27-9-2023 (JAKARTA) The administration of Bali has revealed its plan to allocate funds obtained from a new tourist tax, amounting to Rp 150,000 (approximately US$10) per person, to waste management and cultural preservation initiatives. This tax is set to be imposed on all foreign tourists visiting the island starting next year.
Bali’s acting governor, Mahendra Jaya, announced this decision during a meeting with Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani, the secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, in Denpasar on Monday (September 25). The primary focus of this allocation is to tackle the issues of waste accumulation and safeguarding the island’s rich cultural heritage.
Mahendra Jaya emphasized that the selection of waste management and cultural preservation programs as the recipients of this revenue was a result of the tourism activities in Bali, which have led to a significant buildup of waste on the island. He expressed concerns that improper waste management could lead to unpleasant odors and environmental damage, which, if unchecked, would inconvenience tourists visiting Bali.
Moreover, Mahendra highlighted the importance of cultural preservation, stating that Balinese culture is the cornerstone of tourism on the island. By enhancing waste management and preserving its culture through the additional funds generated by the tourist tax, Bali aims to maintain its status as a world-class tourist destination known for its pristine environment and rich culture.
In response to this move, Giri Adnyani expressed the Ministry’s support for Bali’s decision to impose a tourist tax and assured that the Ministry would assist in the swift implementation of this policy to minimize any potential surprises for tourists when the tax is enforced. She also expressed full support for Bali’s intention to direct the revenue towards waste management and cultural preservation programs.
Notably, the island’s administration had previously considered imposing a US$10 tax on foreign tourists, which was first announced in 2019. However, the plan could not be executed, partly due to legal obstacles.
Subsequently, the Bali administration, in collaboration with the legislative council, opted to transform the tax into a voluntary donation. Earlier this year, they launched the “We Love Bali” program, designed to collect donations from travelers visiting the island, with the aim of using these contributions to support various cultural and environmental preservation initiatives. Regrettably, the administration later declared the donation program a failure and revoked it.
