Governor Of Bali Promises To The Council To Optimize Wisman's Charges

Bali Governor Wayan Koster responded to the views of the Bali DPRD faction by pledging to optimize the levy of foreign tourists (PWA) during his second term of office.

"Regarding the views of the factions on PWA, in principle I strongly agree and currently efforts are needed to optimize the receipt of foreign tourist levies," he said in Denpasar, Monday, June 30.

Previously, the Bali DPRD highlighted the value of foreign tourists' levies in the first year of 2024, which was only Rp317.88 billion or managed to collect Rp150 thousand from 37.27 percent of the number of foreign tourists who came.

The Governor of Bali realizes that this number is still small but he asked for an illustration, because this PWA policy is new not only to Bali but also to Indonesia.

The mistake that also occurred was that since the beginning the regulation regarding levies was formed there were no rules regarding service returns for third parties who wanted to help collect.

"When we designed regional regulations at the beginning, I was of the view that we had good intentions without compensation for third parties, it turned out that it couldn't be like that, therefore we proposed changes to the regional regulation and the governor's regulation and the DPRD's Astungkara to discuss how quickly the time of one month has been completed," he said.

Wayan Koster feels that with a new legal umbrella, what we just have to wait for is the certainty of cooperation with third parties such as hotels where tourists stay.

The Bali Provincial Government is targeting cooperation starting in July so that the value of foreign tourists' levies can be more optimal.

"As of June, only Rp. 168 billion has been entered, 6 months is 180 days, an average of Rp. 993 million per day, if multiplied by a total of 1 year of approximately Rp. 340 billion if we do not make any changes, Astungkara with a new regional regulation and governor's regulation will increase from August to December," said Koster.

Koster targets PWA in 2025 to reach Rp500 billion, or at least gradually while maintaining the stability of the tourism ecosystem.

To maintain public trust in this foreign tourists levy, the Bali Provincial Government will immediately broadcast information on the PWA values obtained every day, including starting in 2026 regarding the allocation of the money.

Since the beginning of this levy was carried out for cultural protection and the natural environment, it is customary village that has the right to receive the money.

To the Bali DPRD, Governor Koster explained that every traditional village will receive Rp. 300 million, so that if it is multiplied by 1,500 villages, there will be Rp. 450 billion disbursed.

"If it turns out to be Rp. 350 million per traditional village, then add another Rp. 75 billion, so it needs Rp. 525 billion, hopefully, it will cover 2026 because we plan to increase the budget for traditional villages of Rp. 50 million," he said.