Australians traveling to Bali are being warned they could be stopped on the street by police walking puppies for on-site inspections to verify payment of a new “tourist tax”.
The new “tourist tax” imposed on foreign visitors to the Indonesian holiday hotspot came into force last month as part of a crackdown on unruly tourists.
Authorities revealed that less than half of foreign arrivals had paid the 150,000 rupees (A$15) tax upon entering the island in the five weeks since the new law came into force.
From next week, police will be on the streets and at popular attractions to check that visitors can present the tourist tax voucher they receive in exchange for payment.
Officers will be accompanied by Kintamani puppies who will serve as conversation starters and help keep interactions with tourists light to defuse arguments.
Tourists caught not paying the tax will be ordered to do so on site, said the Sun of Bali reported.
Australians visiting Bali will have to prove to police they have paid the new tax.
Satpol tourist police officers will intensify on-site checks starting next week
There are currently no fines for non-payment of tax.
Officers from the Satpol tourism police unit will intensify checks from March 26.
“We will target tourist attractions in Bali, including Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu Beratan and also Tampaksiring,” Bali Tourism Department boss Tjok Bagus Pemayunt told reporters this week.
“Since the implementation of the tax on foreign tourists, an average of 5,000 foreign tourists have been paid per day.”
International tourists must pay the tax every time they enter Bali upon arrival at Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport or Benoa Port.
The levy is in addition to an existing $50 electronic visa, in effect since 2022.
Holidaymakers are advised to pay tax on lovebali.baliprov.go.id website or app before your arrival to avoid long lines at the airport.
Money generated from the tax will be used to help protect Bali’s culture and customs, as well as the environment to create sustainable tourism, officials say.
Police will carry out on-site checks on foreign tourists (photo)
The new levy comes on top of strict new rules imposed on visitors to Bali a year ago.
Foreign tourists should always wear a helmet on a motorcycle, avoid drunken and indecent behavior in public, not post offensive and vulgar photos on social media, confine skimpy beachwear to appropriate places andrespect the local people and their culture.
Australians are the most frequent international holidaymakers on the island, according to tourism officials, with more than 1.2 million Australians having made the trip to Bali in 2023.
Australians are asked to pay this amount before arriving at Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.
