Traveldiva.id — The government plans to collect a tourist tax in Bali. This is reportedly the result of the many arbitrary incidents carried out by tourists in Bali, which irritated local and central government.
Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia, which attracts millions of foreign tourists every year. According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, recorded approx 1,4 million visits of foreign tourists or foreign tourists to Bali throughout January – April 2023.
The large number of tourists recently has had a negative impact on the environment and the sustainability of local culture. Therefore, Provincial government (provincial government) Bali plans to impose a tax of IDR 150,000 or 10 US dollars per person to foreign tourists visiting Bali. This tax rule will come into force on 2024 You can fill in this restaurant immediately after ordering GoFood.
According to the Provincial Government of Bali, This tax is expected to be a source of funding to preserve the environment and culture of Bali, and improve the quality of infrastructure, facility, and tourism promotion on the island.
However, the plan to implement this tourist tax also reaps the pros and cons of various parties. The following are some of the arguments that arise regarding the tourist tax in Bali.
Those who agree with the tourist tax rules argue:
- Taxes can add to regional original income (PAD) which can be used to finance programs related to the preservation of the environment and Balinese culture, such as waste management, tree planting, preservation of historic and cultural sites, development of local artists and cultural actors, dll.
- This rule can be a filter tool for tourists who will visit Bali to ensure that they really have a tourist destination, nothing else is harmful, like drugs, prostitution, or criminal act. Thus, tourist tax can improve the quality of tourists who come to Bali.
- The tourist tax will not reduce the interest of foreign tourists to visit Bali, because the amount of the tax is still affordable and comparable to the value of the benefits derived from traveling in Bali. Several other countries also implement a tourist tax, like Thailand, Japan, French, dll., but does not hinder the flow of foreign tourist visits to these countries.
- Tourist tax can increase the awareness and responsibility of foreign tourists towards Balinese environment and culture. By paying the tourist tax, foreign tourists can feel they have contributed to preserving this island. This can encourage the behavior of foreign tourists who are more environmentally friendly and respect local culture.
While those who disagree have a different opinion:
- Tourist taxes can create a discriminatory impression on foreign tourists, because only they are taxed, while domestic tourists do not. This can reduce the image of Bali tourism in the eyes of the international community and harm the tourism industry on this island.
- Taxes can complicate administrative and immigration processes for foreign tourists entering Bali, because you have to pay taxes electronically and include proof of the payment. This can add to the waiting time and bureaucracy for foreign tourists who want to enjoy their holidays in Bali.
- This rule is considered to have the potential for abuse and corruption in the management of funds collected from the tax. There is no transparency and accountability from local government, Tourist tax funds can be misused for personal or certain group interests, not in the public interest.
- Taxes can reduce the competitiveness of Bali tourism compared to other tourist destinations in Indonesia or in the Southeast Asian region. With the tourist tax, the cost of traveling for foreign tourists to Bali will increase, so as to reduce their interest and ability to visit Bali. This can have a negative impact on the economy and welfare of the Balinese people who depend on the tourism sector.
Tourist tax in Bali is a policy that has a noble purpose, namely to preserve the environment and Balinese culture, and improve the quality of tourism on the island. However, This policy also has positive and negative impacts for various parties involved in the tourism industry in Bali. Therefore, there is a need for a more in-depth and comprehensive study regarding the impact and implementation of tourist taxes in Bali, as well as socialization and broad participation from the community, businessmen, and local government in formulating and implementing this policy.
