Foreign tourists are seen on December 31 last year aboard a fast boat at a pier on Serangan Island, Bali. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesian government is considering imposing a tax on foreign tourists after a series of incidents in which badly behaved foreigners have violated laws or customs, local media reported.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno told reporters that the planned tax plan was “currently being studied” and he expected the study to wrap up in the coming weeks so that they can discuss and decide the matter.
Meanwhile, businesses fear the imposition of this tax will deter tourists from traveling to Indonesia, harming the tourism industry at a time when the sector is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In early April, Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan also called for the new levy to be imposed soon, saying that Bali is one of the cheapest tourist destinations in the world and that this has encouraged many low-income foreigners to the island.
He also said that this tourist paradise needs to shift away from mass tourism and focus on becoming a quality tourist destination.
Both ministers mentioned that the new “foreign tourist tax” could be used to develop and market the country’s tourist destinations.
Before the pandemic, Bali – well-known for its surf spots, rice terraces and nightlife - attracted 6.2 million foreign visitors a year and the tourism industry is estimated to contribute about 60% of the island’s economy.
Locals are increasingly frustrated with the disrespectful or bad behaviour of foreign tourists, from taking nude photos at sacred sites to traffic violations.
Last month, Bali Governor Wayan Koster said the island plans to ban tourists from renting motorbikes due to frequent violations of traffic regulations, including not wearing a helmet or lacking a driver's license./.
