Sandiaga Uno: The Realization Of The Wisman Charge To Bali Has Only Reached 40 Percent

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) said that the realization of levies of IDR 150,000 for foreign tourists (tourists) to Bali has only been achieved 40 percent so far.

"As we know, starting February 14, (2024) there will be IDR 150,000 (excess) per person to come abroad to Bali and only 40 percent have paid foreign tourist levies since this regulation took effect," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno at The Weekly Brief with Sandi Uno in Jakarta, quoted on Tuesday, March 26.

Sandiaga said that his party would make various efforts so that the level of compliance of foreign tourists could increase in the future. One of the efforts being made is to coordinate with various relevant ministries or institutions.

"We continue to socialize across ministries and institutions. There is a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through airlines and other tourism stakeholders," he said.

In addition, Sandiaga also hopes that with a retribution of IDR 150,000, it can increase the awareness of foreign tourists related to waste management in Bali. Given, currently, waste management in Bali is still not good.

"Hopefully this foreign tourist levy (retribution) can encourage the formation of more waste banks and of course more sustainable waste management," he added.

For your information, the legal basis for levies for foreign tourists in Bali is Law Number 15 of 2023 concerning the Province of Bali. Then, the derivative rule, namely Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023 concerning levies for foreign tourists for cultural protection and the Balinese natural environment as the legal basis for the levy.

The regional regulation states that foreign tourists' levies have the aim of protecting customs, traditions, cultural arts and local wisdom of the Balinese people.

Then, the breeding and maintenance of culture and the natural environment which is the attraction of tourism in Bali, improving the quality of service and implementing Balinese cultural tourism as well as being a guideline in the implementation and management of levies for foreign tourists.

The levy or levy of Rp. 150,000 will take effect on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

Based on VOI records, the decision to impose taxes on foreign tourists who came to Bali had received an unfavorable response from the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI).

Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Tourism Industries (GIPI) Haryadi Sukamdani assessed that the mechanism to be implemented in Bali was not well organized.

"In our view, the mechanism to Bali is not well-organized as an instrument for taxation as a whole. Why does it happen in Bali like that? Because the province of Bali feels that they do not get income for tourism activities," Haryadi told reporters at the Constitutional Court office, Jakarta, Wednesday, February 7.

He also considered that the regulation needed to be reorganized. Because, it is feared that later there will be other provinces in Indonesia that will follow.

"It should be better regulated in the future because if that's the case, we are worried that all regions will add more additions. So, in our opinion, it's not good for the future," he said.