Tourism entry fees to destinations like Kintamani and Nusa Penida\nhave been a hot topic of conversation in Bali this week.<\/p>\n
This is because these kinds of entry fees come on top of existing\ntourism taxes and fees that visitors are expected to pay to have access\nto Bali\u2019s most idyllic regions. There are, however, growing concerns\nthat these kinds of scenes could deter future tourists from\nvisiting.<\/p>\n
While there are concerns that these fees could deter tourists from\nvisiting Bali as a whole, and subsequently the destinations where these\nfees are being charged, there is also talk of introducing these kinds of\nregional entry fees more widely.<\/p>\n
Inda Trimafo Yudha, Chairperson of the Indonesian Recreational Park\nBusiness Association (PUTRI) Bali, has spoken to reporters about her\nconcerns that the fees implemented in Kintamani and Nusa Penida could\ntrigger a trend of \u201ccrowd-based levies\u201d at various destinations, which\ncould ultimately backfire on Bali\u2019s tourism image.<\/p>\n
Yudha noted that these kinds of levies are essentially the right of\nlocal governments, but that there has to be a clear legal basis for\nimplementing them and for ensuring that new versions of these policies\ndo not violate existing regulations.<\/p>\n
Yudha cautioned local governments that their implementation should\nnot burden tourists or tourism businesses, especially if the levies are\nimposed at multiple points within a single destination.<\/p>\n
Yudha shares, \u201cIf all destinations implement levies, jealousy could\narise. It would be like everyone is collecting fees.\u201d She also wants\ngreater clarity on what constitutes a visit.<\/p>\n
She noted that some, such as tour package providers, bicycle tour\noperators, and other tourism activity operators, often have little\nchoice but to pay fees, as they must pass through certain areas to\noperate the tourism activities they sell to tourists, even if those\ndestinations are not part of the tour experience.<\/p>\n
The tourism expert also noted that tourists already do more than\ntheir fair share in contributing to destinations financially, both\ndirectly and indirectly, whether through the mandatory Bali Tourism Tax\nLevy, taxes taken from their hotel and accommodation, stays, or payments\nto local guides, drivers, and service providers.<\/p>\n
She shares, \u201cTourists come to eat at restaurants, stay at hotels, use\ntransportation, and engage in other activities. This has an economic\nimpact on the local community.\u201d<\/p>\n
For context, the fee to enter the Kintamani Special Tourism Area is\nIDR 50,000 for International adults and IDR 25,000 for domestic\ntourists.<\/p>\n
The entry fee to Nusa Penida is IDR 25,000 per adult and IDR 15,000\nper child. Yudha has also been clear that tourist must see evidence of\ndecent amenities and infrastructure for their contribution, no matter\nhow big or small.<\/p>\n
She shared, \u201cDon\u2019t let fees be collected if the roads are damaged,\ndirty, or the facilities are inadequate. That could create a negative\nimage and discourage tourists from coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
She\u2019s also called on local governments to think more strategically\nabout ways to generate revenue to improve infrastructure, support local\ncommunities, and level up tourist experiences, including working with\nbusinesses on Corporate Social Responsibility programs.<\/p>\n
Yudha said, \u201cDon\u2019t let fees be collected if the roads are damaged,\ndirty, or the facilities are inadequate. That could create a negative\nimage and discourage tourists from coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
She concluded that any new destination-level levies would not be\nproblematic as long as they have a clear legal basis, are not\nburdensome, are transparent, and are actually used to improve facilities\nand maintain the sustainability of tourist destinations. Otherwise, the\npolicy has the potential to damage Bali\u2019s tourism image and reduce\ntourist interest, which is the Bali tourism sector\u2019s worst fear.<\/p>\n
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