Bali Announces $10 Entry Fee for Tourists
Tourists visiting Bali will be charged $10 (AED37), starting February 2024.
The move is part of the tropical island’s efforts to “clean up its tourism scene,” as per a report by Bloomberg.
Come February, tourists must pay 150,000 rupiah ($10) per person for each entry to the island.
These funds will then be used for the conservation of coral reefs, mangroves and other sustainable projects, Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun, head of the tourism office, said in a Thursday interview.
The fee must be paid before or at the time of arrival, however, the rest of the details are still under discussion, Pemayun said.
Since reopening to tourists in March, Bali has experienced a surge in international visitors, particularly from Australia, India, and Russia. As of July, the province had already exceeded its annual tourism targets, initially set at 4.5 million international tourists. Between January and the end of May, a total of 4.25 million visitors arrived on the island.
However, Bali has stricter tourism regulations imposed by Governor Wayan Koster in response to unruly behaviour exhibited by some visitors, including public nudity. Over 100 individuals have reportedly been deported this year as a result of these actions.
The new policies entail mandatory official licenses for scooter rentals and penalties for those staying in unregistered accommodations.
In addition, mountain hiking and volcano visits are now prohibited. Additionally, travellers arriving in Bali will receive a guidebook outlining dos and don’ts, which includes advice to avoid public swearing, touching sacred trees, scaling religious structures, disrupting traditional ceremonies, and ensuring modest dress when visiting temples.
