Bali photo ban proposed at UNESCO sites as Indonesia vows to drop tourist tax fees for Australians

Aussie travellers heading to Indonesia could face new tourism restrictions including a ban on taking selfie photos at some of Bali’s most sacred sites. See what’s afoot.

Travellers heading to Indonesia could face new tourism restrictions including a ban on taking selfie photos at some of Bali’s most sacred sites.

The Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economies has announced the creation of the Indonesia Quality Tourism Policy, after warnings from UNESCO about tourists taking selfies and damaging historical sites including the Borobudur Temple complex.

The new Indonesia Quality Tourism Police unit have proposed a trial for implementing new rules that tourists would need to abide by when visiting such sacred sites.

A photo ban is one of the rules being proposed, but it is unclear what other restrictions would be in place.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Nia Niscaya, said “there are criteria and will be processed by the president’s decision as the basis for running quality tourism and will be implemented” at Borobudur Temple first.

“As soon as it comes out, it will be implemented, and this will be the first thing we do,” the spokesperson said.

“I think it’s in line with UNESCO because if it’s damaged later, we won’t have anything else. This must be maintained, and this can be amplified to other destinations.”

Aerial view of the mandala-shaped Borobudur temple, the world's largest Buddhist monument, in Central Java, Indonesia. Picture: iStock

Borobudur Temple is one of the famous UNESCO world heritage sites in Indonesia. The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces have got UNSECO-protected status, and the Mount Batur Geopark in Kintamani is also under UNESCO supervision.

UNSECO is keen to see a limit or total ban on selfies and tourist photos at cultural, historical, and culturally significant sites because of the effect images can have.

Photo bans are already in place at many Bali temples, but photos are permitted outside temples. Bali’s Tourism Police are keen to ensure tourists are not disrespectful when they visit sacred sites, or have accidents because they compete to get the ideal selfie.

It comes after a top Indonesian minister revealed their unpopular tourist visa fee is on track to be axed following a stinging rebuke from a global tourism body.

Australian travellers are currently slugged an A$50 per person Visa on Arrival fee which adds up quickly for families of multiple children.

The visa fee, which has been enforced since the pandemic, is in addition to the A$15 Bali Tourism Tax Levy which was introduced in February.

The Bali Sun reports Indonesia’s Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno has reaffirmed his commitment to exempting Australians from the visa cost.

Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno has confirmed he is continuing to advocate for Australia to be exempt. Photo: AFP

“We were even reprimanded by the World Economic Forum and the World Travel and Tourism Council, who stated that Indonesia is a country that still applies for visa on arrival,” Mr Uno told the Bali Sun.

Mr Uno indicated earlier this year that by October, Australia would be one of the 20 countries exempt from the visa fee which currently applies to 97 nations.

While Mr Uno did not confirm the October deadline, he did reassure tourists the changes were in the works.

Surf’s up for Aussies looking to visit Bali. Photo: AFP.

“This is what is now being studied on the President’s desk. Now, only ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries are visa-free. But we want to expand to twenty countries with the most qualified and sustainable tourist contributors,” Mr Uno told the Bali Sun.

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo will step down in October. Photo: AFP.

In October, Indonesian President Joko Widodo will step down following a decade leading the nation.

He will be replaced by president-elect Prabowo Subianto who won office during Indonesia’s election in February.

It is hoped President Widodo will pass the tourist tax exemption for Australia prior to leaving office.

When Indonesia removed its visa fees in 2016 the country received an almost immediate 15 per cent increase in Australian visitors who subsequently preferenced Bali over rival tourism destinations such as Fiji.

Indonesia continues to be not only a popular tourism destination for Australian travellers but an important Pacific neighbour.

Indonesia's Defence Minister and president-elect Prabowo Subianto and Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles met last week. Photo: AFP.

Last week, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles visited Indonesia and met with President-elect Subianto to sign the historic Australia‑Indonesia Defence Co-operation Agreement which will see more co-operation and joint training opportunities between the nations’ militaries.