Bali cops to stop all tourists for one reason

Police will be patrolling the streets of the popular tourist destination for one reason — and foreigners will need to be prepared.

Bali is five weeks into its new tourism tax that sees foreigners pay $15 for entry into the popular island.

The tourist levy came into effect on February 14 and the money generated will be used to help protect Bali’s culture and customs, and environment to create sustainable tourism.

It’s expected to bring in more than $18 million this year from Aussies alone.

“In the future, the collection of [tourist levy] fees in Bali will protect nature and keep it clean and sustainable,” Indonesian Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno recently told news.com.au.

Tourism Police Units will be patrolling the streets to ensure tourists have paid the $15 tourism tax.

“But it also plays a vital role in protecting and promoting Balinese culture, which includes customs, traditions, cultural arts, and local wisdom to maintain Bali’s spiritual aura.”

He said the funds were also “expected to improve Bali’s cultural tourism information services and build quality public transportation infrastructure and facilities”.

Top tourism officials are confident all tourists should be aware of the new system with Tourism Police Units to conduct spot checks to ensure travellers have paid the fee.

The new fee came into effect on February 14 with it expected to bring in more than $18 million this year from Aussies alone.

“Inspections will be carried out starting next week, March 26, 2024, to be precise. We will target tourist attractions in Bali including Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu Beratan and also Tampaksiring,” Head of the Bali Tourism Department, Tjok Bagus Pemayun said, according to The Bali Sun.

The national publication reported officers from the Tourism Satpol Police Units, who have been conducting patrols since their deployment in February, will carry out the inspections.

It has been supported by leading tourism stakeholders on the island, including the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association.

Mr Pemayun said only 40 per cent of all foreign tourist arrivals have been paying the fee — that’s roughly 5000 people per day since it was implemented. He said that was the reason for the checks.

Spot checks will take place around tourist attractions in Uluwatu and Tampaksiring, as well as at Tanah Lot and Ulun Danu Beratan specifically.

It involves tourists showing their Tourism Tax Levy Voucher, which they will receive via email from LoveBali after payment.

It can be paid on the Bali Love website or app.

The voucher consists of a QR code that will need to be shown to the inspectors, the Bali Sun reported.

If they haven’t paid it, they will be required to do so on the spot, with no fines yet announced for failure to pay.

Tourism officers will also be accompanied by trained dogs as a way to make people “comfortable and happy”. The puppies will act as conversation starters, and generally help keep interactions with police and tourists more lighthearted.

How to pay the tourist levy

You can pay the $15 fee via the lovebali.baliprov.go.id website or Love Bali app.

You will need to enter your details, including your passport number and arrival date.

Then you can choose your payment method and once successful, you will have a ‘Levy Voucher’ sent to your email.

It is important to make sure the voucher is valid and active as your will need to present it at scanning checkpoints when entering Bali.

There will also be a counter to pay the fee by debit or credit card at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport or Benoa Harbour, but this is not the method encouraged.

The tourist levy is just one of a series of measures introduced in Bali in the last year to crackdown on mass tourism.

An official tourist dos and don’ts list was released, a hotline was established for anyone to dob in misbehaving travellers, and a special task force was set up to monitor foreigners’ activities.

Indonesia has pleaded with Australian tourists to not only respect local customs but explore more of the country beyond Bali.

The Australian government has also urged travellers to listen to Indonesia’s pleas to behave.