Bali Implements Bi-Monthly Spot Checks to Enforce Tourism Tax Levy

Bali's tourism authorities have announced that Tourism Task Force Officers will now perform bi-monthly spot checks at popular attractions to ensure compliance with the new regulations. This initiative targets all tourists, including those renting villas or opting for long-term stays in Bali.

During these inspections, tourists must present proof of having paid the Tourism Tax Levy and show their QR code for verification. Whether you're visiting Bali for a short vacation or staying long-term in a rented villa, adhering to these requirements is crucial.

As the high season kicks off, with a surge of tourists expected until August, officials aim to ensure that everyone complies with the fee payment. This influx includes visitors staying in rented villas, underscoring the need for adherence across all types of accommodations.

Since the Bali Tourism Tax Levy was introduced on February 14, 2024, it has generated over USD 7.1 million for the Bali Provincial Government. However, this falls short of expectations, as more than 60% of eligible international tourists did not pay the tax in the initial two months. Officials cite poor communication, issues with the online payment system, and insufficient payment counters at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport as contributing factors. This affects all visitors, including those in rented villas or long-term rentals.

With only about 40% of tourists paying the mandatory IDR 150,000 tax, the Bali Tourism Office, Tourism Task Force Team, and Bali Tourism Satpol PP teams started spot checks in April and May. This effort targets all tourists, including those staying in rented villas, to ensure widespread compliance.

Teams stationed at major cultural sites' entrances and exits engaged with tourists, scanning QR codes for those who had paid and requiring immediate payment from those who hadn't. This process applies equally to all visitors, including those in villa rentals.

Although the Bali Tourism Tax Levy is legally required for all eligible international tourists, there are currently no penalties for non-payment. For now, officials are assisting those without proof to make the payment on the spot. This cooperative approach benefits all tourists, including those in rented villas.

Recent spot checks were conducted at key attractions such as GWK Cultural Park in Uluwatu, Uluwatu Temple, Goa Gajah Temple near Ubud, Tirta Empul Temple near Ubud, Tanah Lot Temple, and Ulun Danu Beratan in Tabanan Regency.

Tjok Bagus Pemayun, Head of the Bali Tourism Office, announced that these checks, initially temporary, will now occur indefinitely, at least twice a month. Pemayun urged travel agents and hotels to remind tourists to carry proof of payment and show their QR codes upon check-in. He emphasized the importance of paying the Bali Tourism Tax Levy and called on tourism stakeholders to help communicate this policy to both new and existing visitors, including those in villa rentals or long-term accommodations.

Pemayun highlighted the ongoing outreach efforts, noting that the tax revenue will be used to preserve Balinese culture and nature.

Tourists can pay the IDR 150,000 tourism tax at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport's dedicated counter or via the LoveBali website or app. It is important to note that the site and app do not work with an active VPN, and the fee applies to children as well.

Tourists are advised to save a version of their QR code on their phones and make it available offline for easy presentation to Tourism Task Force Officers or provincial authorities. This requirement applies to all visitors, from those in villa rentals to those opting for long-term stays in Bali.