Indonesia to annul visa of disrespectful tourists
Jakarta (VNA) - Authorities in Bali, Indonesia, will distribute a list of "dos
and don'ts" for visitors arriving at the tourist island, and warn that they will cancel visas of disrespectful tourists.
The move comes in response to a string of incidents involving
foreigners behaving inappropriately or breaching visa conditions, with more
than 130 deportations in the first five months of this year.
In a circular issued for government agencies on the tourist island, Governor Wayan Koster signed off on 12 "dos" and eight
"don'ts" for international tourists.
The Governor said
that now for the first time, climbing holy trees or posing naked at cultural
or religious sites is being clearly spelled out as prohibited under guidelines
that apply across the whole island. The rules aim to restore
"quality and dignity" to Bali's tourism sector, which is still
recovering after shutting down completely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He highlighted that tourists entering certain holy sites for
reasons other than praying, behaving disrespectfully at temples and going nude
or wearing immodest clothing all make the "don't" list for tourists.
According to him, tourists are being told to rent scooters and
seek tour guide services from licensed operators.
Government figures show about 13,000 to 15,000 tourists a day are
arriving, down from the peak of 18,000 before COVID-19.
Rai Suryawijaya, deputy chair of the Bali Hotel and Restaurant
Association, said that the economy is getting better and better, but
it's not normal yet, so Indonesia still has to work hard to improve it./.