Bali airport to have more tourism tax payment counters

Thursday, March 21, 2024

A little over a month since the introduction of the new Bali Tourism Tax, officials are making it even easier for visitors to the island to pay their levy fee.

More payment counters will be installed at I Gusti Ngurah Airport for tourists.

Speaking to reporters, the Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, said that before the end of the month, more payment counters for the Bali Tourism Tax will be opened at the domestic arrivals area of Bali Airport.

Pemayun explained “we are not yet at the domestic airport, we still want to meet with other parties and want to set up counters and inspection offers.”

He added “hopefully everything will be finished by the end of March, from the start we focused on the international terminal.”

According to data shared by Pemayun, 80-90% of all international tourists visiting Bali pay their fees via the Love Bali app and website.

The portal is now up and running pretty consistently after displaying frequent errors and server messages during the first few weeks of the new program.

Pemayun explained that so far, tourists have been diligent in paying their tourism tax fees.

He noted, “To be fair to the foreign tourists, sometimes even those who come from the domestic route walk directly to the counter in the international terminal because they are so disciplined.”

The Tourism Chief shared his satisfaction with how the whole tourism tax system is running now.

He explained, “There are no longer any feelings of confusion amongst foreign tourists. What is important is that the [tourism tax system] is delivered in accordance with regulations for environment and culture.”

He added, “We initially focused on direct international flights, then domestic flights, and then other ports as we go along.”

Tourists can also pay their tourism tax levy at Benoa Harbour, where the majority of cruise liners come into the dock.

Tourists planning their trips to Bali are reminded to factor in paying the tourism tax into their travel plans. Moving forward, the Tourism Satpol PP Unit will conduct spot checks and inspections of tourism tax vouchers at top attractions across the island.

There are no serious repercussions for tourists who have been found not to have paid their fee yet, but if caught, they will be asked to pay their IDR 150,000 there and then.

So far inspections have been carried out in Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu Beratan and Tampaksiring with more patrols schudeld over the coming weeks and months

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Pemayun explained in a written statement released on Wednesday 20th, March, that “We are carrying out monitoring, namely monitoring and evaluation at tourist attractions as well as outreach because, after all, this is a new policy implemented in Bali.”

“Monitoring will be carried out at least twice a week. The complete schedule will follow.”

The Tourism Satpol PP Unit will be out and about on patrol with their Kintamani puppies, who have been trained to become ‘tourist friends.’

The officers wear a more informal, ranger-like uniform and are on hand not only to check that tourism levies have been paid but also to make sure that tourists are safe and comfortable during their visits to Bali.

All the team have undergone extensive training, are confident communicating in English, and are up-to-speed with what’s happening at tourist attractions across the island.

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